Your Go-To Guide for Creating a Memorable Friendsgiving Gathering

Friendsgiving has always felt like the calm before the storm, the moment of peace before you enter the chaos of your family’s Thanksgiving table. The serenity before Blackout Wednesday. As an adult, I cherish it more than ever. It’s the one night I get to reunite with friends who’ve moved away, make memories that feel foundational, and soak in the simple joy of being together.

During college, my house was known as the designated “party house.” My roommates and I somehow became the default hosts for every occasion: birthdays, parents’ weekend, holidays, pregames, you name it. Hosting became an event in itself, choosing a menu, assigning dishes, cleaning the house to perfection, making everything Instagram-ready.

Over the years, we crafted a system that not only made Friendsgiving run smoothly, but also created an experience our friends looked forward to every year. These are the steps we’ve used to host a truly unforgettable Friendsgiving.

1. Craft a Menu & Delegate Tasks

Every great Friendsgiving starts with the main dish. Whether you go classic with turkey, easy with rotisserie chicken, or neutral with a takeout pizza, it sets the tone for the entire meal.

If you’re confident in the kitchen, try a garlic-herb butter turkey or homemade ham. If it’s your first time hosting, remove the pressure. A good host doesn’t need a gourmet entrée, your guests will be thrilled as long as there’s food on the table.

Once you choose your main course, it’s time to delegate. Be the “host with the most”:

• You handle the main dish + cocktails

• Assign guests the sides, appetizers, and desserts

People are always happy bringing something simple. Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, rolls, brownies, but they’ll be blown away if your Friendsgiving feels thoughtful and cohesive, a little effort goes a long way.

2. Decorations Make the Moment

The food may be the star, but decor sets the mood.

Start your planning a few weeks ahead:

• Save TikTok ideas

• Build a Pinterest board

• Shop thrift stores for affordable pieces

Overspending on decorations is easy, and unnecessary. Thrift stores, dollar sections, and inexpensive DIY touches can completely transform your space while keeping your budget intact.

And here’s the fun part: decor helps your Friendsgiving live on. A cute tablescape, creative signage, or a printed menu becomes a mini-tradition your guests talk about year after year.

Last year, my roommate and I made printed menus for each place setting, nothing fancy, but they ended up being the first photo in almost everyone’s Instagram post. People love a unique, personal detail, and these little touches keep the tradition growing far beyond your own friend group.

3. Set the Vibe with a Playlist

Music is the subtle glue that holds the entire night together. When conversations silent or people mingle with new friends, there’s always that universal phrase: “Oh my gosh, I love this song!”

That small moment builds connection.

Since we live in Southern Arizona and don’t get the fall weather vibes, no orange leaves, no sweaters, no cold air. We rely on music and media references to create the feeling.

Shows like Gossip Girl have iconic fall and Thanksgiving episodes, and the songs tied to them instantly bring that cozy, nostalgic energy. A few staples:

• “Young Folks” – Peter Bjorn and John

• “Whatcha Say” – Jason Derulo (which always spikes on TikTok around Thanksgiving thanks to the show)

Building a Friendsgiving playlist is a small detail that makes a big impact.

4. Create Your Own Friendsgiving Traditions

Traditions are what make Friendsgiving feel special and lasting.

Some are classic, like going around the table and sharing what you’re thankful for. It may feel cliché, but it grounds everyone in gratitude and presence.

Others can be simple:

• Inviting a mix of old friends and new

• Exchanging handwritten notes

• A themed dress code

• Printing menus or place cards

• A signature cocktail

Friendsgiving is about creating a “chosen family” wherever you are. For me, it’s my high school friends from Tucson mixing effortlessly with my college friends, a blending of people who represent different chapters of my life.

5. Master the Timing (The Secret to Stress-Free Hosting)

Timing is the invisible backbone of hosting: when done right, no one notices, but everyone feels it.

Here’s the flow we follow for 15–25 guests:

1. Guests arrive: appetizers + first drinks ready immediately

2. After mingling: second round of drinks

3. Dinner: served while people are relaxed and hungry

4. After the main course: dessert is prepped while plates are cleared

5. Host steps back: once everyone is fed, the night is in the guests’ hands

This structure keeps the energy moving and prevents chaos. After dinner, your only job is to enjoy the moment. Listen to stories, laugh, reconnect, and let the night unfold.

Friendsgiving is Meant to Be Fun!

Friendsgiving is more than just a dinner, it’s a celebration of the people who make us feel at home, no matter where we are. It’s a night filled with memories, music, food, and traditions that grow with every passing year.

Whether you’re hosting for the first time or perfecting your annual gathering, I hope these Friendsgiving hosting tips help you create a night that feels warm, meaningful, and unforgettable.