We love how fall holidays bring people together, and Thanksgiving is no exception. But you don’t have to limit your celebration to the fourth Thursday in November and/or spending time with your relatives. If you also want to celebrate this holiday with friends, have a Friendsgiving! Keep reading to learn more about this modern take on the classic holiday.

Wondering how to plan the perfect Friendsgiving? Check out our guide Friendsgiving Party Ideas Your Guests Will Love for our tips and tricks for acing this holiday celebration.

What is Friendsgiving?

The word ‘Friendsgiving’ joined the dictionary in 2020 – Merriam Webster defines it as a celebration or meal shared with friends on or near Thanksgiving day. You’ll notice that it sounds a lot like ‘Thanksgiving’, but replaces the ‘thanks’ with ‘friends.’ That’s because the point of this holiday is to spend time with your friends or chosen family that you’re thankful for.

The point of Friendsgiving is to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with your batch of friends instead of the traditional family setting. Some people celebrate both Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving, while others just celebrate Friendsgiving.

There is no official date for Friendsgiving to be celebrated, unlike Thanksgiving. Those celebrating Friendsgiving often have the holiday before Thanksgiving in case some people are still celebrating the traditional holiday with family and need to travel. Some people may decide to celebrate Friendsgiving on the actual day of Thanksgiving if they are not celebrating the holiday with family.

How Did Friendsgiving Originate?

While Friendsgiving seems like a newer concept, the word ‘Friendsgiving’ was first introduced in 2007 in a tweet. Some people think the tradition started with the show “Friends” because of the episodes of the friends' Thanksgiving meals together.

In 2011, Bailey’s Irish Cream started a campaign with the word ‘Friendsgiving’, which is another theory for the launch of this modern festive holiday. While there is no exact known start of the holiday, the word ‘Friendsgiving’ has grown in popularity and is starting to be used every year as a trendy holiday for friends to get together and share a nice meal.

What Do You Eat on Friendsgiving?

The great thing about hosting or going to a Friendsgiving event is that the menu doesn’t have to be traditional, though it can still include a turkey, mashed potatoes, and other holiday staples. The exact menu of Friendsgiving is left entirely up to the host and guests to decide.

Some people decide to have a potluck where each guest is responsible for bringing one dish to share, while others decide to have a cuisine theme that their group enjoys eating, like Asian, Mediterranean, or others. If you decide to have Friendsgiving on a day other than Thanksgiving, take-out is always a viable option if there’s a spot you and your friends love frequenting!

If you do decide to host a pot-luck or make a meal at home, cook your own Friendsgiving feast the easy and hands-off way with a slow cooker or fry a turkey in an air fryer before serving it on a festive Thanksgiving platter! Don’t forget to stay in the festive spirit with Thanksgiving dinnerware or disposable party supplies for an easy cleanup.

Are There Any Friendsgiving Traditions?

Friendsgiving offers those celebrating with pals the chance to create their own traditions! Some people have started a Friendsgiving tradition of making a unique food menu entirely different from the typical Thanksgiving meal. Other Friendsgiving traditions can include crafts, playing games, or doing something else your friend group enjoys doing together.

The best part is that Friendsgiving can look entirely different for everyone celebrating it. As long as you’re surrounded by your closest friends and are eating a good meal, you’ve accomplished the true meaning of the holiday!

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