Friendsgiving is all about gathering with friends to celebrate the season with delicious food and cherished traditions. Like Thanksgiving, it’s a time for creating lasting memories, but with your own personal twist. Whether you’re bringing a dish to share or you’re hosting Friendsgiving in your new rental home in Austin, TX, your apartment in Chicago, IL, or cozy home in Princeton, NJ, this guide is packed with creative Friendsgiving menu ideas and traditions to help make your celebration one to remember.

Photo courtesy of Discover Central New Jersey | Terhune Orchards Farm Store

1. Take time to prep for the feast

Prepping for a Friendsgiving menu starts with one of the most essential tasks—grocery shopping. Whether you’re planning a cozy potluck or cooking a feast from scratch, gathering all the right ingredients sets the tone for a memorable meal.

The folks at Discover Central New Jersey think of Friendsgiving as the perfect time to shop at a local farm, vineyard, or cheesemaker, where you’ll find locally raised turkeys, farm-made pumpkin and apple pies, and local wines that pair well with whatever you are serving. Local farms and vineyards make for a delicious, healthy meal, and also great conversations.

If you’re in the Central New Jersey area, some of their favorite farms are Griggstown and the Brick Farm Butcher for turkeys; Terhune Orchards for fruit pies; Norz-Hill and Abma’s for roasts; Bobolink, Cherry Grove and Gorgeous Goat for cheeses; and the Federal Twist, Hopewell Valley, Old York, and Unionville Vineyards. Or you can enjoy the convenience of shopping at one of Central Jersey’s farmer’s markets, like West Windsor or Stangl in Flemington.

2. Begin the evening with unique appetizers

As you gather with friends for Friendsgiving, delicious appetizers create a warm and festive atmosphere while setting the tone for your celebration. These bite-sized treats encourage conversation and connection, making them the perfect start to your feast.

Photo courtesy of Dawn Derbyshire | Venue by The Flower Cottage by Sapphire & Lace | flowers by Sapphire & Lace

Go bite size

There’s something irresistible about bite-sized food—it’s cute, fun, and lets you enjoy a variety of flavors without getting too full too fast. Pittsburgh, PA-based floral and event design company Sapphire & Lace shares, “Friendsgiving is the perfect time to put a playful twist on Thanksgiving classics. Serving everything in bite-sized portions keeps things relaxed and lets everyone mingle more easily. We’re all about mini-anything – think adorable pumpkin pies with a dollop of whipped cream, mashed potatoes served up in martini glasses, and turkey and stuffing hand pies. It’s all the familiar flavors we love, just in a fun, party friendly way.”

Build a charcuterie board of your favorites

Who doesn’t love a good charcuterie board? It’s a delightful spread that showcases an array of flavors and textures. The best part is that a charcuterie board can be customized with anything you desire, ensuring it never has to be the same each time.

Amy Bandolik at Beacon Farmers Market in Beacon, NY shares her favorite way to fill a Friendsgiving charcuterie board. “We always kick the day off with a beautifully designed charcuterie board featuring cheeses, meats, pickles, chocolates, and nuts from our local vendors. It’s a crowd pleasing way to graze during the day as guests from near and far are arriving, with something for everyone to enjoy. Another favorite is pairing pumpkin spice goat cheese from Edgwick Farm in Cornwall, NY, with warm, homemade carrot muffins–the creamy, spiced cheese adds a unique twist that’s perfect for fall gatherings.”

Offer a variety of bread

Bread is a must-have at any Friendsgiving, and Random Acts of Breadness, an artisan sourdough bakery based out of Burbank, CA, brings a creative twist to the table with fresh ideas that ensure everyone can enjoy a slice. Consider offering a variety of bread options, like their popular Organic Sourdough Stuffing Loaves, along with this year’s new Keto and Plant Paradox-friendly Choco-Chip-Chookies made with high-quality ingredients like skinless almond flour and monk fruit sweetener. Having gluten-neutral breads for the table is perfect for those with gluten sensitivities and grain-free, sugar-free treats for guests with special diets, this selection offers something for everyone.

3. Have a variety of refreshing drinks

No Friendsgiving celebration is complete without a selection of delightful drinks to complement your feast. Whether you prefer carefully chosen wine to share, festive cocktails, or warm drinks after dinner, the right beverages can enhance the atmosphere and bring everyone together.

Pair your food with the perfect wine

Lexi’s Wine List shares, “I like to surprise my guests with a few wine pairings they probably wouldn’t have thought about. While many folks tend to gravitate toward heavy reds and buttery chardonnays for Thanksgiving, I like to serve sparkling wine and rosé with the meal. These wines are the perfect bright complements to the heavy meal, and the acidity in both of these wines acts as a palate cleanser between bites of rich, creamy foods. From appetizers to the main dish, bubbles and rosé will be the easiest wines to pair with your Thanksgiving meal.”

Enjoy festive cocktails

Indulge in the flavors of fall with a caramel apple martini. This delightful cocktail combines the sweetness of caramel with the crispness of apple, creating a perfect blend for autumn celebrations. Simply mix your favorite apple vodka, butterscotch schnapps, and a splash of apple cider, then garnish with a drizzle of caramel and a slice of fresh apple. Feel free to make it a mocktail by replacing the liquor with sparkling apple cider for a refreshing, alcohol-free option that still captures the festive spirit of your Friendsgiving gathering.

Pumpkin spice

Before candy cane and gingerbread season comes rolling in, savor the comforting flavors of pumpkin spice hot chocolate. This cozy drink blends rich chocolate with warm spices, making it a delightful way to end a Friendsgiving feast. Simply combine milk, cream, cocoa powder, pumpkin puree, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice, then heat until smooth. Finish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice for a festive touch.

4. Feast on memorable main courses

The main course is the heart of your Friendsgiving feast, where the flavors and aromas come together to create a memorable dining experience. When thinking about Friendsgiving menu ideas, this is your chance to showcase traditional dishes or put a unique spin on holiday favorites that reflect your group’s tastes.

Add a twist to the traditional turkey dish

If you want to break away from the traditional turkey course while still embracing the flavors of the season, consider making Thanksgiving lasagna. This hearty dish layers turkey, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese between sheets of pasta, offering a delicious alternative that captures the essence of Thanksgiving. It’s a unique option for your holiday table that everyone will love. Plus, its rich flavors and textures make it a standout dish that can easily become a favorite in your holiday lineup.

Make enough for leftovers

Chef David Guas at Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington, VA loves finding ways to extend the feast. “As good as the feast itself, thanksgiving leftovers can be transformed into a multitude of meals to keep the celebrations going. As a New Orleans native, I enjoy sharing the comforting tradition of Turkey and Andouille Gumbo – this dish will help you to keep feeding the holiday crowd for days to come.”

He goes on to share a great pro tip. “Don’t throw out those turkey bones on Thanksgiving. All it takes is a long simmer to turn Thanksgiving scraps into liquid gold. You can also freeze stock in ice cube trays from easy access or portion into zip-lock bags and freeze flat to save precious icebox space.” 

5. Don’t forget the delicious side dishes

Side dishes are essential to any Friendsgiving spread, adding flavorful contrasts and enhancing the overall meal experience. From beloved classics to fresh new recipes, these dishes can highlight seasonal ingredients and add a personal touch to the table.

Photo courtesy of Beacon Farmers Market

Add a crunch to your sides

Amy Bandolik at Beacon’s Farmers Market shares a great side dish to add to your menu, “When it comes to Friendsgiving, I love incorporating fresh, local ingredients from the Beacon Farmers Market into my menu. A standout dish is a crispy cauliflower recipe that never fails to win over even the most hesitant cauliflower eaters. It combines caramelized onions, roasted pine nuts, and black currants for a savory-sweet balance, topped with toasted breadcrumbs for added crunch. It’s the perfect side dish to add an easy but gourmet touch to your Friendsgiving table.”

Adding to the delicious offerings, Joelle Obsatz at Butterfield Market in New York, NY provides more options to put on the table. “One of my go-to Friendsgiving contributions from Butterfield Market is our Praline Sweet Potatoes – sweet, crunchy, and always a hit. I also love bringing a trio of stuffings: traditional, cornbread with mushrooms, and sausage-stuffed, which makes it fun for everyone to sample different flavors. It’s become a little tradition to see which stuffing disappears first. These dishes always bring warmth and variety to the table, making the gathering feel extra special.”

6. Save some room for savory desserts

To cap off your celebration, a selection of delicious desserts is a must. When brainstorming Friendsgiving menu ideas, you can keep it classic with pumpkin pie or add your own flair to surprise your guests. Sweet treats not only bring a joyful conclusion to the meal but also allow you to showcase your unique taste.

Try breaking away from tradition this holiday season with unique desserts. Aaron Helmer at Blueberry Artisan Bakery in Jacksonville, FL, likes to go against the grain and bring unique desserts to the table. “At my holiday gatherings, I like to shake things up with our desserts. Instead of the usual pies and cookies, I love to try something a little different, like baklava, cannolis, or cardamom buns. It’s all about making the traditional holiday gathering a delicious adventure and sharing those special moments with our loved ones.”

If you’re a pie lover looking to try something new, Theresa VanWormer at community site Visit Finger Lakes in Canandaigua, NY offers an exciting spin on classic flavors that will delight your taste buds. “I’m from the Finger Lakes and we have a tradition of ending Thanksgiving dinner with Grape Pie! A bit different from the classic pumpkin or apple, but we often enjoy a slice while catching up with family and friends. That is normally followed by watching the sunset of Canandaigua Lake. Sometimes if we are lucky, there is a ring of fire around the lake, which is a Seneca Nation tradition of celebrating the harvest and end of summer.”

6. Embrace old traditions and make new ones

Whether you’re celebrating Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or both, keeping the holiday spirit alive is key to a memorable gathering. As you consider Friendsgiving menu ideas, think about fun traditions and activities that help everyone connect and relax, making the experience enjoyable for all.

Get Active

As the feasting approaches, staying active can be a great way to balance indulgence with wellness. Incorporating healthy activities into your holiday plans not only keeps your body moving but also adds an element of fun to the day.

Lea Genders Fitness in Fort Worth, TX believes in making the most of post-Thanksgiving meal time. She advises, “As a personal trainer and health coach, I suggest engaging your dinner guests in light and fun activities to boost moods and digestion. Whether it’s a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, a friendly dance-off in the living room, or a backyard game of tag, even just for fifteen minutes, these moments can spark joy and laughter. Plus, physical activity post-meal has fantastic benefits for our health.”

Embracing this active spirit, Julie at The Healthy Home Cook, cherishes her family’s Thanksgiving traditions. “Not only do we participate in a Turkey Trot the morning of Thanksgiving, but our family enjoys the traditional after dinner walk/bike ride, or even possible swim. Since we live in Florida, we really don’t have to worry about cold weather. So we all venture outside to spend extra time with family and friends around the neighborhood.”

Bring out the games

Turn your celebrations into a game night by bringing out the childhood favorites that have been collecting dust in your cabinets. Whether it’s the thrill of a well-timed draw in Uno or the challenge of answering quirky trivia questions, these timeless games create unforgettable moments and remind us that the best times are often shared with loved ones.

Board game designer, Elizabeth Hargrave, shares her go-to game after dinner. “My friendsgiving always wraps up with games after dinner. Our tradition is to kick things off with a folk game called Eat Poop You Cat, because it can accommodate a large number of people. All you need is some paper and something to write for each person, and laughs are pretty much guaranteed.”

Give thanks

Giving thanks is more than just a holiday tradition; it’s an opportunity to appreciate the loved ones who enrich our lives and the experiences that shape us.

Chef Joseph Yacino at YaDa Chef shares, “After the Thanksgiving meal, and cleaning up with all hands on deck, we like to gather back around the table and have everyone write out what they are most particularly thankful for that happened in the past year. After reading out what we are grateful for, the papers are gathered together and we make a little book, which will be given to all the guests later for a remembrance keepsake.”

Prepare for December holidays

As the Thanksgiving feast winds down, many families begin to embrace the spirit of the upcoming holiday season with cherished traditions and festive activities.

Blogger Val Wheatley of About Asheville shares, “My family’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition after dinner is to start getting ready for Christmas of course. My son is obsessed with The Grinch so right after we eat we watch the movie and then he normally talks us into setting up our giant Grinch blowup in the front year. We’re known in the neighborhood for getting the holiday decorations up way too early, and keeping them up way too long.”

Similarly, Phoenix, AZ personal chef, Health Held in Hand, embraces the holiday spirit right after Thanksgiving. “Our Thanksgiving traditions involve comforting moments with family, savoring leftover turkey sandwiches or pie. We enjoy starting to decorate our home for the holidays, watching classic movies or shopping for early holiday deals. Sometimes if the weather is nice, we’ll also take part in a casual outdoor activity like a walk or a friendly game, enjoying the crisp autumn air.”

Friendsgiving menu ideas and traditions for a memorable evening

As you gather with friends and loved ones for Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving, creativity and connection are key to memorable celebrations. Hosting for the holidays can be a delightful experience, with unique appetizers and heartwarming activities contributing to a joyful atmosphere. Let the warmth of friendship and gratitude guide your festivities, creating cherished memories that last long after the table is cleared.