Friendsgiving: A Guide to Hosting for Your Chosen Family (Because Yours is… Complicated)
Let’s be real: not everyone is rushing home for Thanksgiving with warm fuzzies and open arms. Maybe your family doesn't get you, or you’ve moved far away, and the idea of battling Thanksgiving week travel chaos sounds worse than small talk with Uncle Larry. That’s where Friendsgiving comes in—a time to gather with your chosen family, eat too much, and avoid the post election family fights.
The key to a great Friendsgiving? High impact, low effort. (Unless you want it to be Pinterest-worthy—more on that later.) You deserve a holiday that feels fun, not overwhelming, so here are 5 easy tips to help you host a Friendsgiving that’s cozy, delicious, and stress-free.
Tip #1: Delegate the Turkey Situation (Or Skip It Altogether)
Turkey takes forever, and if it’s your first time hosting, you don’t need that kind of pressure. Ask a friend who loves to cook to handle it (we all have that one ambitious friend), or make life easier with a store-bought option—rotisserie chickens, ham, or we usually do short ribs per our kiddos request (not kidding). Honestly, no one’s here to judge.
If you’re committed to cooking the bird yourself, try a spatchcock turkey—it cooks faster and more evenly. But remember: Friendsgiving isn’t about culinary perfection. It’s about people, not poultry.
Tip #2: Make It BYOD (Bring Your Own Dish)
Hosting Friendsgiving doesn’t mean you have to play chef all day. Make it a potluck! Assign dishes or let everyone pick something they’re comfortable with—yes, store-bought sides are 100% acceptable. Personally, I do not go this route because I need control, but that’s for my therapist, not Thanksgiving.
Pro Tip: Use a shared Google Doc or group chat to keep things organized. This way, you won’t end up with five green bean casseroles and no dessert. And if your one friend brings plain dinner rolls? Celebrate them anyway—those rolls are a lifesaver for making leftover sandwiches.
Tip #3: Set the Table the Night Before (For Pinterest-Worthy Vibes Without the Stress)
Look, you don’t have to go all-out on decor—your friends care more about the food and fun than they do about matching plates. That said, if you want your Friendsgiving to look straight out of Pinterest, go for it! The secret? Set the table the night before.
By laying everything out early—plates, napkins, candles, and all—you’ll free yourself from scrambling the day of. This way, you can focus on cooking, greeting guests, and looking effortlessly chill instead of realizing you forgot to grab enough forks.
Decor ideas that look fancy with minimal effort:
A simple eucalyptus runner (or any greenery) down the center of the table
Mini pumpkins or gourds scattered across the table
Twinkle lights or tea candles for a cozy vibe
Remember: It’s totally okay to use mismatched dishes. Call it "eclectic charm."
Tip #4: Make the Drinks Self-Serve (Because Nobody Wants to Be the Bartender)
The secret to keeping your sanity? Batch cocktails. Pre-make a big pitcher of spiked apple cider, sangria, or even margaritas. Add a few bottles of wine, some beers, and non-alcoholic options, and let your guests help themselves.
Bonus Tip: Set up a build-your-own hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, and a few boozy add-ins (peppermint schnapps, anyone?). It takes five minutes to set up and guarantees guests will rave about it all night.
Tip #5: Plan Post-Dinner Fun Without Overcomplicating It
After everyone has stuffed themselves with turkey (or tacos), keep things low-key with easy after-dinner activities. Classic board games, card games, or a holiday movie marathon are perfect.
Feeling sentimental? Ask guests to share what they’re grateful for this year. Or, if you want to dodge deep conversations, just put on Elf and pass the hot chocolate.
Friendsgiving Is About Connection, Not Perfection
At the end of the day, Friendsgiving isn’t about impressing anyone—it’s about gathering with the people who matter to you. If your family isn’t great or you’d rather stay far, far away from Thanksgiving week airport drama, this holiday is your chance to celebrate on your terms.
Whether you’re setting a Pinterest-worthy table the night before or keeping it super casual with paper plates, the goal is the same: good food, great friends, and zero stress. Delegate tasks, keep the drinks flowing, and don’t sweat the small stuff—your chosen family is here for laughs, not judgment.
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