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Resources / Home & Family
50 FRIENDSGIVING TIPS AND IDEAS
SP
Posted by Sarah Pryor
Friends are the family we choose, which is why they’re the perfect candidates to
help celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving that’s all about being thankful (and
stuffing our faces with delicious food). Here are 50 tips to make sure this
year’s Friendsgiving is the best one yet.
SET A DATE
1. Plan Early - The holidays are often the busiest time of year, and it can be
tough to get a spot on people’s rapidly filling schedules. You may need to
start polling people about their preferred dates as early as the end of
summer.
2. Be Flexible - Can your celebration take place on a weeknight? What about
lunchtime? It may be easier for people to work you into their schedule if
you’re not planning a traditional weekend dinner.
3. Get Techy - Use SignUpGenius to plan a date that works for everyone and to
collect RSVPs.
4. Plan Around the Big Game - If your group is full of fans, you might want to
consider picking a date that will have lots of football on television.
5. Check the Weather - Depending on where you live, you’ll want to pick a date
that won’t be too far into the snowy season — leaving your guests to decide
whether they love you enough to brave a blizzard.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan a low-fuss feast with this printable Thanksgiving checklist! DOWNLOAD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PICK A PLACE
1. Find Your Host (or Hostess) - See if someone in your group is willing to
host the shindig at their home, and make it clear everyone will help with
setting up, cleanup and other chores.
2. Consider a Restaurant - Going out for Friendsgiving is a great option if you
don’t want to worry about cooking or cleaning. Just make sure to find out
the restaurant’s policy on check splitting if you have a large group.
3. Get Progressive - A progressive dinner is a fun Friendsgiving option for
neighbors. It takes the burden off a single host or hostess, and allows you
to check out everyone’s fall decorations (and cooking skills).
4. Decide Your Vibe - Do you want everyone sitting around a huge table or will
you be OK with people eating out of their laps in front of the television?
Your answer could help determine the best place to have your meal.
SAMPLE SIGN UPS
Create Sign Up
SEND YOUR INVITES
1. Decide Who’s Coming - Once you decide where you’re having the celebration,
you’ll have a better idea of how many people can come. If your group’s too
large for the space, consider separating your event into two different
nights or having it somewhere else.
2. Be Prepared to Squeeze - If you absolutely have to get your group into a
smaller space, get creative. People can eat on the floor at a coffee table
or even bring their own chairs if necessary.
3. Don’t Forget Out-of-Towners - Make it a point to invite friends (or
colleagues) who live far from family and may not otherwise be able to get
home to celebrate the holiday. Even if you aren’t that close, Friendsgiving
could be a great way to get to know them better.
4. Is it Family-Friendly? - Make it clear whether children are invited to the
Friendsgiving festivities, and if they aren’t, give everyone enough time to
find a babysitter.
5. Consider a Group Sitter - If lots of your friends have kids, consider
getting one or two sitters to keep the whole group of youngsters while the
parents enjoy themselves.
6. Go Traditional - Everyone loves getting snail mail, so consider having paper
invitations printed. They’ll look great in the scrapbook alongside pictures
of all the memories you’ll share.
7. Go Paperless - Email invites are quick, simple and free. You can even
customize your invitation’s theme for the event. Genius Tip: Collect RSVPs
on a sign up that also lets people volunteer for a dish to bring.
8. Make it Easy to RSVP - You’ll be more likely to get responses if you make it
easy for guests to let you know they’re coming. Consider including your cell
number or email address on the invites if people prefer that method.
9. Follow Up - Send a group message a day or two before your event to make sure
everyone is still planning to be there. Genius Tip: Head to SignUpGenius’
Message tab on your account page to send a reminder to your group.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create a sign up to let people bring their favorite Thanksgiving dishes! SAMPLE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAN A MENU
1. Get Everyone Involved - Use SignUpGenius to have guests volunteer which
dishes they’d like to bring on a sign up. No worries about three gravy
sauces showing up!
2. Don’t Neglect Dietary Restrictions - Tell guests to make it clear if they
have nut, gluten or other allergies so everyone can plan their dishes
accordingly. Genius Tip: Create a custom question on your sign up to
collect this information.
3. Go Old School - Ask guests to bring a dish that’s been in their family for
years. It’s a great way to experience different families’ traditions.
4. Brine the Turkey - Brining is a method of submerging the bird in a salty
solution for a long time to keep it moist and flavorful. Look online for a
recipe that sounds scrumptious.
5. Offer Options - Some people love canned cranberry sauce and some will only
allow the fresh stuff to touch their turkey. It’s the same with various
varieties of yam/potato dishes. Let guests know what you’re serving, and
encourage them to bring their versions so everyone can compare.
6. Try a New Recipe - Friendsgiving is the perfect time to test out a new dish
you’ve been itching to try. With a large group, it’s sure to get eaten
rather than sitting in your fridge for a month.
7. Think Outside the Box - Your menu doesn’t have to consist of just turkey
and stuffing — what about a Mexican food-themed Friendsgiving? Talk to your
guests about a fun theme that will lend itself to a unique, delicious menu.
Genius Tip: 50 creative potluck themes.
8. Send Your Menu in Advance - You can do this via email through a message
reminder, but let guests know what they can look forward to.
9. Drink and be Merry - Decide whether you’re going to provide alcohol or have
guests bring their own — and make it clear on the invite. Include a note if
you expect a dry event.
10. Consider a Keg - Sure it may remind you of your last college fraternity
party, but if your guests have similar taste in beer, a keg may be the
cheapest option. You can also go directly to craft breweries for growlers
and pony kegs of unique brews.
11. Create a Signature Drink - A fall-themed beverage is a great way to keep
your drink menu simple. Look online for recipes that feature flavors of
cinnamon and cloves.
12. Mark Your Territory - Give guests permanent markers to write their names on
cups so no one gets confused about whose drink is whose.
13. Give a Toast - Friendsgiving is a great opportunity to toast your
friendships. Say something special and serve your signature drink for the
occasion.
14. Nix the Fancy China - Disposable plates and cutlery will cut down on the
time you spend in front of the sink, and many brands offer environmentally
friendly varieties so you don’t have to feel guilty tossing it in the
trash.
15. Be Safe - Any emergency room staffer will tell you the holidays are rife
with injuries. Use common sense when it comes to safety at Friendsgiving.
(That means no frying the turkey right next to the house).
16. Don’t Forget Fido - If you’re allowing pets at your Friendsgiving, consider
bringing fun snacks like turkey-flavored dog treats for your four-legged
friends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organize a Thanksgiving meal for those who are alone for the holiday with an
online sign up! SAMPLE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
1. Plan a Dress Code - Some friend groups love getting dressed to the nines
while others would be happier in sweat pants. Decide with your group what
the dress code will be so no one feels out of place.
2. Decorate - Pick decorations that go with your theme (maybe a piñata for the
Mexican-themed idea above?) or go with the traditional pumpkin-and-gourd
motif.
3. Get Guests Involved - Remember those toilet paper tube pilgrims you made as
a child? Turns out it’s just as fun to make these as adults. Bring the
supplies and put your guests to work creating their own decor.
4. Make Fun Place Cards – Direct guests where to sit with place cards that are
drawn by hand or printed from a template. Taking the extra step will show
guests you care (and avoid endless refrains of “is someone sitting here?”).
5. Pump the Jams - Decide the vibe you’re going for, and have it reflected in
your background music. Want something relaxing? Try Frank Sinatra. Looking
to get the party started? Crank up the hip-hop.
6. Kick off the Holiday Season - You can make your Friendsgiving the official
start of the holidays by playing Christmas music, putting out holiday
decorations or even drawing names for secret Santa.
HAVE SOME FUN
1. Hand Out Name Tags - If all your guests don’t know each other, name tags
are a great way to help everyone get familiar. Bonus points for having
guests add a line letting everyone know how they met the host.
2. Assign Dish Duty - Offer to let people sign up for different cleanup
duties, or as a last resort, draw names from a hat to assign chores.
3. Remember the Reason - Have guests go around the table and say what they’re
thankful for. This tradition may remind you of your childhood, but as an
adult it’s sure to give you the warm fuzzies.
4. Grab a Pack of Playing Cards - Card games have been entertaining
houseguests for generations. Find a game that everyone knows how to play or
feel free to teach a new one.
5. Ban Boredom with Board Games - Old-school board games have often fallen by
the wayside in adulthood. Your guests will love the retro feel of Life,
Monopoly, Sorry! and the like. Genius Tip: Liven the party with 20
Thanksgiving Day Games for the Whole Family.
6. Get Physical - Nothing beats a game of touch football outdoors in the crisp
fall air. Just remember to stretch before and after — you aren’t as young
as you used to be!
7. Give Favors - You don’t have to break the bank to send guests home with a
treat that will help them remember the occasion.
8. Play Icebreaker Games - If you have newbies in the group, it’s fun to have
everyone say their name and one fact about themselves to help everyone get
to know one another. Genius Tip: Try these 100 funny icebreaker questions.
9. Embrace Competition – Play a team-based game like Pictionary or Charades.
Bonus points if you can work the Thanksgiving holiday into the rules for
the evening.
10. Turn on the Television - Whether you’re showing the big football game or
your favorite goofy holiday movie, the television can add some background
noise and conversation starters to your event. Just make sure to keep the
volume low so your guests can keep talking to one another.
Plan ahead and your event is sure to be a success. Remember, perfection isn’t
what people expect — it’s good company and friendship.
Sarah Pryor is a journalist, wife, mom and Auburn football fan living in
Charlotte, N.C.
Create a Sign Up View Plans
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This is such a great tool! Evite is well-known and great, but if you need to
coordinate responses as well as volunteers and potluck items... this is the
thing!!! What an awesome service you are providing. I’m in the process of
planning a potentially large open-house party to celebrate life with a very sick
friend in our neighborhood.... Evite could in no way handle what I needed. I’m
so grateful to find your service. After only a couple hours of the sign up going
live, I was already so relieved I used it!
Jen Niemo - Concord, CA
Resources / Home & Family
50 FRIENDSGIVING TIPS AND IDEAS
Friends are the family we choose, which is why they’re the perfect candidates to
help celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving that’s all about being thankful (and
stuffing our faces with delicious food). Here are 50 tips to make sure this
year’s Friendsgiving is the best one yet.
SET A DATE
1. Plan Early - The holidays are often the busiest time of year, and it can be
tough to get a spot on people’s rapidly filling schedules. You may need to
start polling people about their preferred dates as early as the end of
summer.
2. Be Flexible - Can your celebration take place on a weeknight? What about
lunchtime? It may be easier for people to work you into their schedule if
you’re not planning a traditional weekend dinner.
3. Get Techy - Use SignUpGenius to plan a date that works for everyone and to
collect RSVPs.
4. Plan Around the Big Game - If your group is full of fans, you might want to
consider picking a date that will have lots of football on television.
5. Check the Weather - Depending on where you live, you’ll want to pick a date
that won’t be too far into the snowy season — leaving your guests to decide
whether they love you enough to brave a blizzard.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan a low-fuss feast with this printable Thanksgiving checklist! DOWNLOAD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PICK A PLACE
1. Find Your Host (or Hostess) - See if someone in your group is willing to
host the shindig at their home, and make it clear everyone will help with
setting up, cleanup and other chores.
2. Consider a Restaurant - Going out for Friendsgiving is a great option if you
don’t want to worry about cooking or cleaning. Just make sure to find out
the restaurant’s policy on check splitting if you have a large group.
3. Get Progressive - A progressive dinner is a fun Friendsgiving option for
neighbors. It takes the burden off a single host or hostess, and allows you
to check out everyone’s fall decorations (and cooking skills).
4. Decide Your Vibe - Do you want everyone sitting around a huge table or will
you be OK with people eating out of their laps in front of the television?
Your answer could help determine the best place to have your meal.
SAMPLE SIGN UPS
Create Sign Up
SEND YOUR INVITES
1. Decide Who’s Coming - Once you decide where you’re having the celebration,
you’ll have a better idea of how many people can come. If your group’s too
large for the space, consider separating your event into two different
nights or having it somewhere else.
2. Be Prepared to Squeeze - If you absolutely have to get your group into a
smaller space, get creative. People can eat on the floor at a coffee table
or even bring their own chairs if necessary.
3. Don’t Forget Out-of-Towners - Make it a point to invite friends (or
colleagues) who live far from family and may not otherwise be able to get
home to celebrate the holiday. Even if you aren’t that close, Friendsgiving
could be a great way to get to know them better.
4. Is it Family-Friendly? - Make it clear whether children are invited to the
Friendsgiving festivities, and if they aren’t, give everyone enough time to
find a babysitter.
5. Consider a Group Sitter - If lots of your friends have kids, consider
getting one or two sitters to keep the whole group of youngsters while the
parents enjoy themselves.
6. Go Traditional - Everyone loves getting snail mail, so consider having paper
invitations printed. They’ll look great in the scrapbook alongside pictures
of all the memories you’ll share.
7. Go Paperless - Email invites are quick, simple and free. You can even
customize your invitation’s theme for the event. Genius Tip: Collect RSVPs
on a sign up that also lets people volunteer for a dish to bring.
8. Make it Easy to RSVP - You’ll be more likely to get responses if you make it
easy for guests to let you know they’re coming. Consider including your cell
number or email address on the invites if people prefer that method.
9. Follow Up - Send a group message a day or two before your event to make sure
everyone is still planning to be there. Genius Tip: Head to SignUpGenius’
Message tab on your account page to send a reminder to your group.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create a sign up to let people bring their favorite Thanksgiving dishes! SAMPLE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAN A MENU
1. Get Everyone Involved - Use SignUpGenius to have guests volunteer which
dishes they’d like to bring on a sign up. No worries about three gravy
sauces showing up!
2. Don’t Neglect Dietary Restrictions - Tell guests to make it clear if they
have nut, gluten or other allergies so everyone can plan their dishes
accordingly. Genius Tip: Create a custom question on your sign up to
collect this information.
3. Go Old School - Ask guests to bring a dish that’s been in their family for
years. It’s a great way to experience different families’ traditions.
4. Brine the Turkey - Brining is a method of submerging the bird in a salty
solution for a long time to keep it moist and flavorful. Look online for a
recipe that sounds scrumptious.
5. Offer Options - Some people love canned cranberry sauce and some will only
allow the fresh stuff to touch their turkey. It’s the same with various
varieties of yam/potato dishes. Let guests know what you’re serving, and
encourage them to bring their versions so everyone can compare.
6. Try a New Recipe - Friendsgiving is the perfect time to test out a new dish
you’ve been itching to try. With a large group, it’s sure to get eaten
rather than sitting in your fridge for a month.
7. Think Outside the Box - Your menu doesn’t have to consist of just turkey
and stuffing — what about a Mexican food-themed Friendsgiving? Talk to your
guests about a fun theme that will lend itself to a unique, delicious menu.
Genius Tip: 50 creative potluck themes.
8. Send Your Menu in Advance - You can do this via email through a message
reminder, but let guests know what they can look forward to.
9. Drink and be Merry - Decide whether you’re going to provide alcohol or have
guests bring their own — and make it clear on the invite. Include a note if
you expect a dry event.
10. Consider a Keg - Sure it may remind you of your last college fraternity
party, but if your guests have similar taste in beer, a keg may be the
cheapest option. You can also go directly to craft breweries for growlers
and pony kegs of unique brews.
11. Create a Signature Drink - A fall-themed beverage is a great way to keep
your drink menu simple. Look online for recipes that feature flavors of
cinnamon and cloves.
12. Mark Your Territory - Give guests permanent markers to write their names on
cups so no one gets confused about whose drink is whose.
13. Give a Toast - Friendsgiving is a great opportunity to toast your
friendships. Say something special and serve your signature drink for the
occasion.
14. Nix the Fancy China - Disposable plates and cutlery will cut down on the
time you spend in front of the sink, and many brands offer environmentally
friendly varieties so you don’t have to feel guilty tossing it in the
trash.
15. Be Safe - Any emergency room staffer will tell you the holidays are rife
with injuries. Use common sense when it comes to safety at Friendsgiving.
(That means no frying the turkey right next to the house).
16. Don’t Forget Fido - If you’re allowing pets at your Friendsgiving, consider
bringing fun snacks like turkey-flavored dog treats for your four-legged
friends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organize a Thanksgiving meal for those who are alone for the holiday with an
online sign up! SAMPLE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
1. Plan a Dress Code - Some friend groups love getting dressed to the nines
while others would be happier in sweat pants. Decide with your group what
the dress code will be so no one feels out of place.
2. Decorate - Pick decorations that go with your theme (maybe a piñata for the
Mexican-themed idea above?) or go with the traditional pumpkin-and-gourd
motif.
3. Get Guests Involved - Remember those toilet paper tube pilgrims you made as
a child? Turns out it’s just as fun to make these as adults. Bring the
supplies and put your guests to work creating their own decor.
4. Make Fun Place Cards – Direct guests where to sit with place cards that are
drawn by hand or printed from a template. Taking the extra step will show
guests you care (and avoid endless refrains of “is someone sitting here?”).
5. Pump the Jams - Decide the vibe you’re going for, and have it reflected in
your background music. Want something relaxing? Try Frank Sinatra. Looking
to get the party started? Crank up the hip-hop.
6. Kick off the Holiday Season - You can make your Friendsgiving the official
start of the holidays by playing Christmas music, putting out holiday
decorations or even drawing names for secret Santa.
HAVE SOME FUN
1. Hand Out Name Tags - If all your guests don’t know each other, name tags
are a great way to help everyone get familiar. Bonus points for having
guests add a line letting everyone know how they met the host.
2. Assign Dish Duty - Offer to let people sign up for different cleanup
duties, or as a last resort, draw names from a hat to assign chores.
3. Remember the Reason - Have guests go around the table and say what they’re
thankful for. This tradition may remind you of your childhood, but as an
adult it’s sure to give you the warm fuzzies.
4. Grab a Pack of Playing Cards - Card games have been entertaining
houseguests for generations. Find a game that everyone knows how to play or
feel free to teach a new one.
5. Ban Boredom with Board Games - Old-school board games have often fallen by
the wayside in adulthood. Your guests will love the retro feel of Life,
Monopoly, Sorry! and the like. Genius Tip: Liven the party with 20
Thanksgiving Day Games for the Whole Family.
6. Get Physical - Nothing beats a game of touch football outdoors in the crisp
fall air. Just remember to stretch before and after — you aren’t as young
as you used to be!
7. Give Favors - You don’t have to break the bank to send guests home with a
treat that will help them remember the occasion.
8. Play Icebreaker Games - If you have newbies in the group, it’s fun to have
everyone say their name and one fact about themselves to help everyone get
to know one another. Genius Tip: Try these 100 funny icebreaker questions.
9. Embrace Competition – Play a team-based game like Pictionary or Charades.
Bonus points if you can work the Thanksgiving holiday into the rules for
the evening.
10. Turn on the Television - Whether you’re showing the big football game or
your favorite goofy holiday movie, the television can add some background
noise and conversation starters to your event. Just make sure to keep the
volume low so your guests can keep talking to one another.
Plan ahead and your event is sure to be a success. Remember, perfection isn’t
what people expect — it’s good company and friendship.
Sarah Pryor is a journalist, wife, mom and Auburn football fan living in
Charlotte, N.C.
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