Amaze, Bond, & Celebrate—25 Terrific Friendsgiving Ideas for 2023
Explore 25 creative Friendsgiving ideas sprinkled with DropEvent's digital magic for an unforgettable party & strengthen those found family bonds even more.
The aroma of roasted turkey, the golden glint of fall leaves, and the infectious laughter of friends that feels like a warm hug - it's the magic of Friendsgiving!
But what if this year, you went a step beyond the traditional, weaving in a tapestry of memories that tickle the imagination? Whether you're a culinary champion, a décor diva, or the ultimate party planner, there's something in here for everyone.
So, grab your festive spirit, and let's craft a Friendsgiving so enchanting it'll be the talk of many gatherings to come.
Ready to elevate your celebration game?
Let the journey begin with these 25 ideas ranging from food to entertainment and beyond!
TLDR
Planning your first Friendsgiving party? We have ideas!
Running out of creative ways to celebrate this occasion? We have Friendsgiving ideas!
Food, décor, booze, & entertainment—we’ve got it all!
25 Friendsgiving Ideas To Make Your Party Unforgettable
Experience the magic of friendship like never before with these 25 ideas (in five different categories!) that will ensure your Friendsgiving party will end up bringing you all closer together.
Category 1: The Essence of Gathering—Bonding Over Shared Moments
Splash some crafting magic or meaningful conversations into the mixture and watch the joy of reveling in each other's company multiply! Our ideas below will create moments that strengthen the bonds of friendship and make your gathering truly special.
Idea # 1: Craft Your Own Friendship Bracelets
Remember how happy you felt as a kid when your BFF made you a friendship bracelet? Did you want to wear it all the time? Why not re-experience a similar joy of crafting simple friendship bracelets together & preserving them as mementos?
For variety, mix in different colored embroidery floss.
Pick colors that mean something to you or the friend you’ll be gifting it to.
The video shows how you can add a button at the end. Try that!
You can also thread beads, charms, & other embellishments onto the floss before braiding.
Personalize the bracelet by adding a message on cardstock and attaching it with a ribbon or string.
Idea # 2: Create a Commemorative Friendsgiving Journal
You’ll find that most great Friendsgiving ideas are less about spending money and more about spending time with your mates. And this next one is no exception.
Start a shared journal where everyone writes a note, memory, or story from the past year. It will help you all stay connected and enjoy a fun activity together. If you all work to maintain it, your journal will soon become a collection of stories from a shared past. Something that can be read from when you’re missing your friends or gifted to your pals.
Here’s how to get started:
Get a traditional paper journal from Etsy, or create one with Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
Encourage everybody to participate by choosing a weekly or monthly prompt they can write about. We have some ideas below.
Don’t limit the journaling to just words. Instead, add photos for visual appeal & preservation of fun memories.
Explain how your contributors don’t have to stick to prose but can also pencil in poems, short stories, or even letters!
Make things more personal & engaging by adding details about your lives together & shared interests.
If everyone’s okay with it, post excerpts from your shared journal on social media. This will also remind your friends to keep adding more entries.
The more up-to-date your journal is, the fresher and more interesting it will be for everyone involved.
Try to be honest and open in your writing. Encourage your friends to do the same to create an authentic record of your lives.
Now for the prompts. The gratitude challenge below has some great ideas you & your buddies can use as journal prompts.
A time you were grateful for something or someone.
A lesson you learned the hard way.
A dream or goal you have for the future.
A favorite memory of a loved one who has passed away.
A piece of advice you would give to your younger self.
A funny personal story.
A poem or song that resonates with you.
A list of things you are looking forward to in the coming year.
P.S. Opt for a digital journal if your friends live far away.
Idea # 3: Tell a Story—The Most Embarrassing Moments Edition
Nothing brings a group of friends together like a light-hearted round of sharing the most amusing or awkward memories. So, why not turn it into a Friendsgiving activity?
Making sure everyone knows they’ll be sharing in a safe and supportive environment. That means setting some ground rules, such as no negative comments or judgy looks, so people can share their embarrassing moments comfortably.
Helping others get over their reluctance by going first. Get people excited to participate by sharing an embarrassing moment or a funny story of your own.
Gamifying the session & offering a prize for the best story—the one that makes you laugh the hardest!
Prompting someone who is hesitant with leading questions. Not everyone’s a storyteller, so your prompts could help get them started.
Being mindful of the time. Everyone should have a chance to share their story. Mention a time limit when setting the rules so your friends don’t get bored.
Ending on a positive note by sharing something that you're grateful for or by telling another funny story.
Want to make the session livelier? Then try out these ideas:
Bring in some props people can use when sharing their stories, such as fake mustaches, large pairs of sunglasses, etc.
Play a short game of ‘Never Have I Ever’ after someone is done telling their story. This could jog memories & remind the players of something similar that happened to them!
Take pictures & videos. You can share them on social media later or upload them on DropEvent where all the participants can access them with just a QR code.
Idea # 4: Share a Personal Recipe
Remember that scene from Ratatouille that brings a cynical food critic like Ego to his knees? That’s the power of memory & good food!
And when it comes to family recipes passed down from generation to generation, the ones we’ve grown up enjoying, there’s nothing more precious. So, imagine sharing something as precious with your friends. Have them reciprocate by compiling the recipes to create a unique Friendsgiving recipe collection!
But which recipe should you be sharing to feature in such a collection? How about something that is:
Special to you in some way. It doesn’t have to be a family heirloom. You can also pick one from your favorite cookbook, or choose a recipe that you created yourself.
Simple enough to follow instead of overwhelming your friends when they try it out.
Written clearly & includes all ingredients, their measurements, & other instructions.
Well-known to you, so you can guide your friends about cooking times & substitutions, etc.
Will you be swapping recipes during the Friendsgiving party? Then use these pointers for a smoother, more fun process:
Ask all sharers to include their stories about why they fell in love with the recipe or how they found it.
Have your friends ready the recipes in an easy-to-share format, such as a printed or digital copy, or a handwritten recipe card.
Separate the recipes by type, such as appetizers, main & side dishes, desserts, & drinks—this will make it easier to create different sections later on.
Use a Canva template to create PNG or JPG image of the recipes—that way you can upload them on DropEvent. P.S. Use Canva’s Bulk Create option to speed things up!
Collect the recipes and make a cookbook that you can share and pass on. You can use My Food Cookbook or FlipHTML5 for this part.
Keep adding new recipes you & your friends discover to the cookbook. Think of adding sections based on different themes, such as Around the World, Comfort Food, & so on.
Idea # 5: Play Charades—Friends TV Show Edition
A nod to the iconic show, with charades themed around 'Friends' episodes.
Unite friends through a culinary journey, savoring delectable dishes and relishing the joy of shared meals. And as you explore these Friendsgiving ideas, keep creating—and capturing—lasting memories you & your friends can cherish forever.
Idea # 6: Enjoy a Cheese and Charcuterie Board Extravaganza
Set up an elaborate and visually appealing cheese and charcuterie board that friends with varied palates & preferences can enjoy with these tips:
Include cheeses different in taste and texture. The usual mix has the following types:
Hard cheeses, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Cheddar, and Asiago
Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, Goat, and Mozzarella
Blue cheeses, such as Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton
The same goes for charcuterie or cured meats, so don’t forget to include different types like:
Prosciutto
Salami
Sausage
Capocollo
Guanciale
Pancetta
Bresaola
Speck
Coppa
Lardo
Mortadella
Don’t forget you’ll also need non-meat items for your vegetarian friends. You can go with:
Fruits for sweetness and acidity, such as grapes, berries, and olives.
Nuts for crunch and protein, such as walnuts, peanuts, and almonds.
Crackers as the base for the other items, such as multigrain (for soft cheeses and meats), crostini (for hard cheeses), and pita (for dips, spread, and hummus).
And now for the dips and spreads. If you’re sticking to the items we’ve mentioned above, try these:
Apricot and fig jams for hard cheeses
Honey and olive tapenade for soft cheeses
Port wine reduction for blue cheeses
Mustard and horseradish sauce for meats
Honey and mustard dip for fruits
Hummus
When arranging everything on your board, we recommend:
Placing the cheeses and meats in the middle. Then, surrounding them with the other items.
Leaving enough space for people to easily reach and grab what they want.
Choosing your platter size accordingly!
Creating different heights to make the board look more interesting.
Adding labels to items to help identify them—especially helpful if you have guests who aren’t familiar with cheese and charcuterie.
Add some garnish, such as:
Fresh herbs
Edible flowers
Balsamic glaze
Serve with your favorite drinks:
Wine, reds such as Pinot Noir and Barbera, or sparkling, such as Prosecco or Cava.
Beer, like Pilsner or Saison.
Cocktails, such as Aperol spritz (Aperol, prosecco, and soda water) and negronis.
Non-alcoholic beverages, like sparkling water and club soda.
Idea # 7: Globetrot with International Dishes
Incorporate meals from friends' cultural backgrounds or favorite travel destinations.
Here are some examples of international dishes that you can make:
Here are some additional tips to make your cooking sessions authentic, fun, and safe:
Do some research before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients and cooking methods involved.
Be mindful of dietary restrictions your friends may have.
Be respectful of cultural traditions. For example, if you are cooking a dish from a country where eating with your hands is customary, provide your guests with hand towels.
Serve your meals with traditional accompaniments. For example, if you cook a Mexican meal, you should serve it with rice, beans, and salsa.
Decorate your table with traditional items for a more festive atmosphere. For example, if you cook a Chinese meal, add chopsticks, red lanterns, and lucky coins to the décor.
Idea # 8: DIY a Personal Pizza Station
Set up a section with various toppings for a make-your-own-pizza experience.
A miniature food party is one of our most unique and fun Friendsgiving ideas. Here are six miniature foods you can make and the ingredients you'll need:
1. Miniature Burgers:
Ingredients:
Mini burger buns, small beef or veggie/vegan patties, lettuce, cheese, ketchup, and mustard.
Toothpicks or skewers to hold the burgers together.
2. Tiny Tacos:
Ingredients:
Mini taco shells, ground beef or black beans, shredded cheese, salsa, diced tomatoes, and lettuce.
Toothpicks or small stands to hold the tacos upright.
3. Mini Pizza Slices:
Ingredients:
Mini pizza crusts or pita bread, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and your choice of tiny toppings—see above for ideas.
Pans & sheets for baking.
4. Tiny Sushi Rolls:
Ingredients:
Sushi rice, seaweed (nori) sheets, small cucumber strips, avocado, and cooked crab or tofu.
Sushi rolling mat.
5. Micro Cupcakes:
Ingredients:
Mini cupcake liners, cake batter, and frosting.
Miniature cupcake pan and decorating tools for frosting.
Pans for baking.
6. Bite-sized Samosas:
Ingredients:
Mini samosa pastry sheets, spiced potato filling, and your choice of chutneys for dipping.
As your formidable collection of recipes starts to build, you can base future Friendsgiving parties on it!
Select the recipes you all want to try—we’d recommend choosing one for each meal course for a complete meal.
Gather the ingredients you’ll need for cooking.
Have the friends over, ply them with wine, & start cooking together.
Don’t forget to take pictures of the foods you make to both document your Friendsgiving celebration and to share the photos with others.
Put up the pictures on DropEvent, so everyone can reminisce, comment, & like.
You can also add those pictures to the cookbook to show readers how a dish will actually look!
Idea # 12: Drink and Revel—From Classics to Concoctions
Raise your glasses to friendship as you explore a medley of classic and creative concoctions—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Our beverage adventure is designed to spark laughter, create shared experiences, and make your Friendsgiving truly memorable. Cheers to the spirit of togetherness!
Idea # 13: Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar
Base your Friendsgiving gathering around this classic cocktail by doing the following:
1. Choose a variety of readymade Bloody Mary mixes
Check out your favorite stores and take your pick!
2. DIY the mix
You can vary the composition to suit everybody’s palates.
Ingredients:
3 ounces tomato juice
1.5 ounces water
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon horseradish
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
Method:
Combine all of the ingredients in a pitcher.
Stir well until everything is combined.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
3. Bored of the classic version?
Then you might want to try these variations:
Smoked bacon Bloody Mary mix: Add 2-3 strips of smoked bacon to your mix and simmer for 30 minutes before removing.
Sriracha Bloody Mary mix: Add 1-2 tablespoons of Sriracha sauce to your mix for a spicy kick.
Bloody Caesar mix: Add 3 ounces of Clamato juice to your mix for a savory twist.
Bloody Maria mix: Add 3 ounces of tequila to your mix for a Mexican-inspired Bloody Mary.
Bloody Mary mix with beer: Add 3 ounces of your favorite beer to your mix for a beer lover's Bloody Mary.
4. Include non-alcoholic Bloody Mary drinks
Like this one:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup tomato juice
1/4 cup vegetable juice
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon horseradish
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a pitcher.
Stir well until everything is combined.
Serve over ice with your favorite garnishes.
5. Stocking up on garnishes
They are what really make a Bloody Mary special, such as:
The Usual Suspects:
Celery stalks
Olives
Pickles
Lemons
Limes
Hot sauces
Spices
The Not-So Usual Ones:
Smoked salmon
Bacon
Shrimp
Mini crab cakes
Pickled asparagus
Roasted vegetables
Hard-boiled eggs
Cheese cubes
Mini meatballs
Fruit skewers
6. Choose a smooth and good-flavored vodka
Like Belvedere or Grey Goose. Or...
7. Make your own flavored vodka
Infuse your Bloody Marys with extra flavor with:
Herbs, like rosemary, thyme, & mint.
Ginger
Fruits, like berries & citrus
Fruit rinds
8. Set up your Bloody Mary bar in the center
So everyone has easy access.
9. Label everything
So your guests know what to avoid and what they’ll love.
10. Have bowls, plates, & glasses handy for your guests
So they can build their own Bloody Marys.
11. Prep for the mess
This is sure to happen, so have lots of napkins ready!
Idea # 14: Settle Down with a Warm and Cozy Hot Chocolate Station
Make the most of a chilly evening by getting all the trappings for a Make-Your-Own hot chocolate station. Once everybody’s prepped their beverage, get into a big swallow huddle and sip the cocoa goodness.
Here’s how to make it happen:
Choose a variety of hot chocolates to please everyone, such as:
Milk chocolate
Dark chocolate
White chocolate
Mint chocolate
Mexican hot chocolate
Italian hot chocolate
French hot chocolate
Stock up on all the toppings, such as:
Crushed candy canes
Chocolate shavings
Mini marshmallows
Whipped cream
Sprinkles
Grated cinnamon
Nutella
Peanut butter
Caramel sauce
Chocolate chips
Crushed cookies
Mini pretzels
Bacon
Sriracha
Since hot chocolate is best enjoyed in a warm mug, grab some funny ones off of Etsy.
Set up your station and add a hot plate to keep the hot chocolates…well, hot!
Decorate for a festive atmosphere with elements like:
Heard of the storm in a teacup? Get your pals together & tea-up a storm with these tips:
Send out invitations in advance.
Choose a variety of teas or ones from different regions so you and your guests get to experience a wide range of flavors and aromas.
Set the right mood for a relaxing and meditative beverage session by:
Playing soft music.
Burning incense.
Dimming the lights.
Prep the teas by sticking to the different brewing times and temperatures indicated on the packaging. Use a tea infuser if you’ll be brewing loose-leaf tea.
Serve in the appropriate glassware
Bone china cups for black teas
Glass cups for green teas
Have saucers ready.
Educate your guests on what you’re serving, like:
The tea's origin.
Flavor profile.
Health benefits.
Brewing and serving tips.
Serve snacks that complement the teas:
Dark chocolate for black teas.
Sea salt crackers for green teas.
Cheese straws for oolong teas.
Rice crackers for white teas.
Fruit leather for herbal teas.
Clean up as you go.
Category 3: Décor Delights—Setting the Scene
Craft a welcoming ambiance with these Friendsgiving décor ideas. Transform your interior into a warm and inviting haven for your gathering.
Use whimsical helium balloon centerpieces, possibly with messages or photos attached, as the décor for your Friendsgiving parties in the following ways:
Friendsgiving Tree—attach different colored and sized balloons to a branch or tree trunk.
Friendsgiving Balloon Arch—attach balloons of different colors & sizes to a frame or archway.
Friendsgiving Balloon Bouquet—add to a flower bouquet or other greenery.
Friendsgiving Balloon Garland—tie them to a string or ribbon that you can drape across a table or mantel.
Friendsgiving Balloon Table Runner—tie the balloons to the table runner.
Idea # 19: Add Themed Table Runners for Extra Flair
Ideas for table runners that fit different themes, like:
Idea # 23: Set Up a DIY Craft Corner for Artistic Souls
Provide art supplies for friends to paint, sketch, or craft. Grab the details here.
Idea # 24: Have a Musical Karaoke Duel
A friendly singing competition featuring favorite tunes. You’ll find everything from the playlist to details about planning virtual karaoke parties here.
Category 5: Finishing Touches—Little Details That Matter
From setup to wrapping up, ensure every detail is fine-tuned to elevate your Friendsgiving celebration. Explore these ideas for adding those final, thoughtful touches to your event.
Idea # 25: Use Creative Seating Charts for Mixing and Mingling
Design seating plans that encourage interaction and new connections for mixing and mingling at your Friendsgiving party:
Alternate guests of different ages and backgrounds.
Group people with different interests together to give them something to talk about.
Avoid seating couples together to encourage them to meet and talk to new people.
Use place cards to indicate placements to avoid any confusion or awkwardness.
Later on, finagling party photos from such acquaintances can be a headache. There may be awkward friending requests & much to-and-froing that you could do without. Even when that’s not the case, there may be friends who couldn’t show up at your party but want to see how the festivities went.
In other words, pictures or it didn’t happen. And that’s when a digital memory-sharing platform like DropEvent can come in handy. With it, you can:
Bulk upload live from the party
Swap pictures immediately
Instantly share with anyone via QR code or link
P.S. You don’t have to go all-out & plan a party every Friendsgiving. Why not plan a road trip with your friends instead? Sightsee, take loads of pictures, & make the most of this novel idea if you dare!
Summing it Up
Gratitude, friendship, and making memories form the essence of Friendsgiving. And by using our ideas from above, you’ll definitely ensure that each Friendsgiving is a unique and heartfelt gathering.
Ready to turn your Friendsgiving into an unforgettable memory? Start your journey with DropEvent, the perfect platform to capture, celebrate, and share your cherished moments!
FAQs
1. What is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is popular among millennials and Gen Z, involving a celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday with the people they care about most, regardless of blood relation. These events are more informal, relaxed, & can often feature unique twists over traditional practices.
2. How do you celebrate Friendsgiving?
Since Friendsgiving centers on gratitude and friendship, the best way to celebrate it is by getting together with the people you care about most to enjoy a meal & fun activities.
3. When do you celebrate Friendsgiving?
Typically, Friendsgiving is celebrated on or around Thanksgiving Day—the fourth Thursday of November in the US. But you can have yours whenever it is convenient for you & your friends.
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