12 Trendy Friendsgiving Ideas Your Friends Will Love (2025)

Celebrating Friendsgiving has been popular for about a decade, and it’s now a favorite holiday for many young people. According to Alexis Morillo, Associate Editor at Delish, “The earliest use of the term Friendsgiving dates back to a 2007 tweet, but some people credit the hit show Friends for inspiring the concept of spending the holiday with friends. Another theory suggests that a 2011 ad campaign by Baileys Irish Cream liqueur used the word, giving the Friendsgiving movement more momentum. Since then, it’s become a word that refers to a Thanksgiving dinner celebrated with friends.”

Whether you live far away from your family and don’t have time to travel home for the holidays, or you simply prefer to celebrate the occasion with your friends, Friendsgiving is your chance to observe the holiday your own way—with whatever foods and traditions you like!

Looking for some sweet and unique Friendsgiving ideas to celebrate your crew around a table laden with delicious dishes? We’ve put together this list of some creative Friendsgiving ideas to get you started with planning a memorable occasion for your chosen family and friends. Let’s dive in!

Table of contents

• Food and menu ideas
• Games and activities
• Decor
• Logistics
• Finding ideas that work for you
• Venues

Friendsgiving food and menu ideas

Friendsgiving is about comfort and culinary flair. Here’s how to make your friendsgiving menu memorable.

1. Unique meal focus (not just turkey)

Whether you want to host a vegetarian Friendsgiving or you simply desire a change from turkey, consider coming up with something new as the focus of the menu. If your group of friends is from a mix of cultural backgrounds, not all of them will have grown up with a traditional turkey dinner. Ask everyone to bring a dish that reminds them of the holidays in their family, and honor the different ways that you celebrate the harvest season.

2. DIY pie bar

Want to make sure there are enough pie options for gluten-free guests or those with food allergies? Katherine Sacks, Associate Food Writer Emeritus at Epicurious, recommends setting up a DIY pie bar. It’s essentially like a taco bar, but with pie toppings instead. You’ll make little round pastries (including vegan and gluten-free options) and provide fresh fruit, cream, and other toppings so that everyone can create their own perfect pie.

3. Cranberry cocktails

While you can expect your guests to bring a few bottles of wine, why not get creative with some seasonal cocktails? From cranberry daiquiris to Moscow mules, check out these creative cranberry cocktail ideas that are perfect for the holiday season.

Friendsgiving game and activity ideas

A great Friendsgiving doesn’t stop at great food, so plan a few activities to keep the laughs flowing!

4. Pie-making contest

For some groups of friends, dessert is the most important part of the Friendsgiving menu. After all, it’s the time of year when we get to enjoy fresh seasonal treats like apple pie and pumpkin pie! Host a pie-making contest so that everyone gets to sample homemade pies and vote on their favorites.

5. Photo booth

One of the best things about Friendsgiving is that you get to avoid awkward family photos with relatives you only see once a year. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some pictures to remember the occasion! 

An easy way to do that is to set up a photo booth area so that guests who like pictures can participate and those who don’t can opt out. Set up a camera and backdrop, and include some Thanksgiving-themed props and costumes that your guests can have fun with!

6. Clothing swap

It’s time to dig some warmer clothes out of the closet and pass along anything that doesn’t fit you to a new owner. Hosting a clothing swap is among one of the easiest Friendsgiving ideas that can accomplish two things at once. Your friends can all try on some new clothes and update their wardrobes, and anything that gets left behind can be donated to Goodwill or another local charity.

7. Camping trip Friendsgiving

Make the most of the season by celebrating Friendsgiving outdoors. If you live in a part of the country with mild falls and winters, you can plan a camping trip and enjoy dinner around the campfire. Or, if you live somewhere where Thanksgivings are generally too cold to celebrate outdoors, consider renting a cozy cabin through Peerspace and hosting Friendsgiving there instead!

8. Give back to your community

You and your friends are lucky to have one another, but not everyone is lucky enough to have family or close friends to depend on. Why not choose a charity and volunteer your time during your annual Friendsgiving gathering?

Pick an organization that appeals to your group, be it Meals on Wheels, a local animal shelter, or a local soup kitchen, and spend a few hours together volunteering to deliver meals, take care of the shelter animals, dish out food, or anything else they might need. It’ll strengthen your bond with your friends while allowing you to help the neediest members of your community.

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Pro tip: For even more interactive ideas, here are 15 Friendsgiving game ideas for every vibe.

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Friendsgiving decor inspiration

Set the scene with decor that’s cozy, creative, and a little unexpected.

9. Edible autumn centerpiece

Why settle for a centerpiece that says “look but don’t touch” when your table can be a harvest feast for eyes and taste buds? 

Start with a long wooden tray, a shallow basket, or a cutting board. Layer it with small gourds in shades of orange, creams, and green, then weave in fragrant herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. Scatter nuts, dried fruits, and berries for pops of color, and sneak in mini jars of honey, caramel dip, and preserves so guests can casually snack as they chat. 

Be sure to arrange items at different heights for greater depth, and make sure the edible pieces are easy to grab without dismantling your masterpiece.

10. DIY paper lanterns

Instead of standard candles on the table and string lights hung above you, create small DIY lanterns with intricate autumn-themed cutouts in the shapes of leaves, acorns, or abstract geometric patterns. 

Use thin cardstock, cut out designs, and place a battery-operated tea light or fairy light inside. When the lights flicker, they’ll cast delicate, moving shadows across the table, walls, or mantel, giving your space a warm, magical glow without the risk of open flames. You can line a few along a windowsill or create a mini “lantern path” on a sideboard or buffet. 

The effect is cozy and Instagram-worthy, and because the shadows dance, it adds motion and depth to your décor. That’s something standard string lights can’t achieve!

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Pro tip: Need even more inspiration? Elevate your celebration with these additional Friendsgiving decor ideas.

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Tips for organizing a seamless Friendsgiving

Smooth logistics mean more time for friends, food, and fun—here’s how to keep it all organized.

11. Collaborative menu planning

One of the most important things to keep in mind about Friendsgiving is that it’s typically planned as a potluck, with everyone bringing a dish or two to share. As the host, you should plan to cook the main dish and set a theme for the evening, but ask your friends to bring everything else.

For an easy solution, create an online spreadsheet (i.e., in Google Sheets) so that everyone can sign up for a dish ahead of time. That way, you’ll avoid having multiple people bringing the same items. Plus, you’ll have an idea of how much food to expect, making sure all of the most important dishes are covered.

12. Take-out boxes for leftovers

Make sure that none of the food goes to waste by preparing to-go boxes ahead of time. You can buy Thanksgiving-themed containers or a fresh set of Tupperware. Alternatively, you can use one Costco half-tray tin per household, filled assembly-line style at the end of the night. This way, you won’t have to worry about finding matching lids when everyone’s on their way out the door!

Finding Friendsgiving ideas that work for you

Every Friendsgiving is unique. Your plans will depend on your group’s style, the setting (casual potluck or formal dinner?), and other factors. As you’re planning, you’ll probably want to consider the following:

• Flow: Consider how much time you’ll spend cooking, serving, or moving around. Choose activities and food setups that allow for easy movement and keep everyone comfortable.
• Temperature: For example, an outdoor picnic-style Friendsgiving may call for blankets, heaters, and/or layering, while an indoor dinner might lend itself to cozier table settings and mood lighting.
• Budget: Think about how much you want to spend and which ideas can be reused in future gatherings, whether that’s decorations, games, or cookware.
• Ambiance: Think about small touches like lighting, centerpieces, music, or themed props. These little details can make the gathering feel special without adding too much work.

If none of our Friendsgiving ideas feel like the right fit, look to local shops, thrift stores, or even your own home for inspiration. Social media, Pinterest boards, and lifestyle blogs are also great resources for trend-friendly Friendsgiving ideas that you can adapt to your own group.

How to discover ideal Friendsgiving venues

Choosing the right space is almost as important as planning your Friendsgiving menu. It sets the vibe for your gathering and can make it truly memorable. Whether your home is ready to host or not, these Friendsgiving venue ideas will spark your imagination and inspire you to think outside the box when choosing the perfect spot for your gathering.

Peerspace offers a variety of unique, ready-to-book venues so you can bring your Friendsgiving vision to life exactly as you pictured it.

Skip the generic venue rentals. With Peerspace, you can find spaces that feel personal and full of character. In addition, the hourly booking system gives you control over both your schedule and your budget, so you can focus on enjoying the day with friends.

Each Peerspace listing also includes clear photos, detailed descriptions, and reviews from past renters—all the information you need to pick a spot that suits your style.

Friendsgiving FAQs

What do you bring to a Friendsgiving?

Guests usually bring a dish to share, but it’s also thoughtful to show up with a little something extra for the host. If you need inspiration, check out our guide to unique Friendsgiving gifts that go beyond the usual bottle of wine.

What should I wear to Friendsgiving?

Outfits can range from cozy sweaters to dressier looks, depending on the vibe. Some hosts even pick a color palette or seasonal style. For inspiration, browse these Friendsgiving outfit inspirations that work for both casual and elevated gatherings.

How do you make Friendsgiving invitations special?

Digital invites are quick, but a few personal touches make them memorable. Consider creative wording, fall-inspired designs, or even DIY stationery. Explore these Friendsgiving invitation tips to help set the right tone from the start.

What are fun ways to decorate for Friendsgiving?

Decor can be as simple as candles and autumn leaves or as bold as a fully themed tablescape. Choosing a central motif ties everything together—our favorite Friendsgiving themes will spark plenty of creative directions.

Should I prepare party favors for Friendsgiving guests?

Favors aren’t a must, but they’re a sweet way to thank friends for coming. Think small keepsakes or edible treats to send them home happy. You’ll find lots of thoughtful Friendsgiving party favor ideas to make the gesture special.

Start planning Friendsgiving today

Friendsgiving season is here! It’s time to stop daydreaming and start planning. Once you’ve searched Peerspace’s selection of Friendsgiving dinner venues and locked in a space that fits your vibe, you can begin bringing your vision to life. For even more planning advice, visit the Peerspace blog for advice on Friendsgiving food, themes, decor, and more!