Nonchalant Nibbles: What Is Friendsgiving?
What is Friendsgiving? In the U.S., Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays, representing core American values like gratitude, family and tradition. It’s a unifying celebration that goes beyond religion. But what about your chosen family? Here’s where the concept “Friendsgiving” comes to life.
Friendsgiving, a wordplay combining “friends” and “Thanksgiving,” became popular among those who, instead of spending the traditional holiday with family (or if they couldn't make it home for Thanksgiving), choose to gather with their close friends. Whether it’s to avoid family drama or simply to enjoy a more informal gathering, Friendsgiving has now become a popular way to make time for the people who feel like family.
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- Friendsgiving Origins
- What Are Some Friendsgiving Traditions?
- When Is Friendsgiving?
- What Is The Point Of Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving Origins
The concept of Friendsgiving started circling around in the mid-2000s as a casual, friend-centered spin on Thanksgiving. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the earliest known uses of the word date back to 2007 in Usenet and early Twitter mentions, where it appeared without explanation, suggesting that the term was already used in conversations and that it referred to friends gathering for an informal holiday meal.
Many people also associate it with the TV show Friends, which popularized the idea of celebrating Thanksgiving with your “family by heart,” although the word itself wasn’t used on the show.
What Happens In Friendsgiving?
A Friendsgiving dinner party, at its core, feels like a relaxed and cooler version of Thanksgiving. Although this depends on the host. Some might keep things casual, while others go all out, opting for a more bougie vibe.
Friendsgiving activities often include playing fun games or having karaoke nights. The purpose is to gather around and enjoy each other's company. But the core aspect of this celebration is sharing a potluck-style meal. Friendsgiving food ideas involve each member bringing something to share.
What Are Some Friendsgiving Traditions?
If you want to go all-in with Friendsgiving ideas, there are many fun traditions that have emerged as the concept has become popular. One of the most common customs is hosting a potluck, where each guest brings a dish. This can range from bringing anything you like to going for a more classic feast that includes turkey, stuffing and pies.
Many groups also create a themed Thanksgiving cocktail or mocktail, which adds a festive touch. Popular options include cranberry Moscow mule, maple old-fashioned, sparkling cranberry punch or cider sangria.
Beyond the food, Friendsgiving is all about connection. A great tradition to implement is the gratitude circle, where everyone takes a moment to share something they’re thankful for. To break the ice, you can also add fun elements like photo group challenges, cozy dress codes, Thanksgiving trivia or even board games. Prepare for your Friendsgiving eve with our Thanksgiving jokes.
What Are The Rules Of Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving doesn’t have a set of established rules, it’s more like a collection of unspoken ones. The biggest one is that this created holiday is a team effort: nobody shows up empty-handed, whether they're bringing a dish, a drink or even helping out with Friendsgiving decorations. It’s meant to be collaborative and low-pressure, so perfection is never the goal.
If the turkey is a little dry or someone shows up with store-bought cookies, nobody cares! You’re all just there to eat and have a good time.
Another “rule” is that the host sets the tone, but everyone brings the energy. Maybe this means wearing cozy sweaters, doing a gratitude toast or playing games at dinner — whatever makes the night feel like a group.
When Is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving doesn’t have a fixed date. People tend to embrace flexibility — not just with the dishes, but with the schedule too. It’s typically celebrated on a day near Thanksgiving, with most people celebrating the weekend before, or the Friday after. And for some friend groups, Friendsgiving is Thanksgiving, with everyone choosing to spend the actual holiday together. It's an especially great way to spend time in the cozy comfort of those you care about when you can't make it home for Thanksgiving.
What Is The Point Of Friendsgiving?
The whole spirit of Friendsgiving is that it’s your holiday, your way, built around the people you choose to celebrate with. It’s all about creating space to celebrate gratitude with the people you choose; your closest friends, coworkers or anyone that feels like family. It gives people the perfect excuse to slow down and share a meal in a much more relaxed way than a traditional holiday.
For many, it’s a way to honor friendships that play a major role in their lives, especially when travel, distance, and complicated family dynamics make attending traditional Thanksgiving difficult.
Additionally, it’s also a chance to celebrate the holiday on your own terms. No pressure for the perfect Thanksgiving menu or formal traditions!
While the holidays are always about family, Friendsgiving gives the perfect opportunity to celebrate with your chosen family, those who know you at your core and love you. Whether you want to make a potluck feast or a cozy game night, the spirit of Friendsgiving is in connection and making the holiday your own. No matter how you celebrate, the heart of Friendsgiving is simple: good food, good company and a reminder that the people around your table don’t have to be related to feel like family.
For even more fun Friendsgiving ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
