The EastCoaster

By Bridget Keohane

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s important to reflect on the aspects of our lives we are grateful for. This could be our family, health, career, or in this case, the family we choose; our friends.

 According to Merriam-Webster, the term Friendsgiving was first used in 2007 and is defined as “a celebration or meal shared among friends on or near Thanksgiving Day.”^[1] However, some credit the Friendsgiving trend to the NBC sitcom Friends which featured several episodes of the main characters spending the holiday together.

Today, many have followed suit in celebrating Friendsgiving as an excuse to spend time with friends during the busy holiday season. If you’re thinking about celebrating Friendsgiving this year, this guide will make sure your Friendsgiving is a successful one!

From potluck to collaborating in the kitchen: how to get your Friendsgiving meal underway

For Friendsgiving, many friends opt to indulge in traditional Thanksgiving food, including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all that good stuff! One of the easiest ways to get these delicious dishes to the table is by having a potluck. Each person is responsible for bringing their own dish to the gathering. I’d recommend making sure each person communicates what they’re bringing to ensure that the meal will be filled with a variety of delicious dishes to choose from. Upon each person’s arrival, collect their dishes, reheat them in the oven, and serve once you are ready for dinner!

If you’re feeling ambitious and have some extra time, you and your friends could cook your Friendsgiving meal together! Plan out what dishes you want to make, look up recipes on Allrecipes, Food Network, or Southern Living, write down an ingredient list, and head to your local grocery store to gather all the goods necessary to piece the meal together! If you’re looking for a simple alternative to cooking an entire turkey, many grocery stores sell rotisserie chickens that serve as a quicker source of protein to complement your meal. After a trip to the store, you’re all set to begin cooking!

The Gratitude Game, Cards, Festive Movies, and More: how to keep your Friendsgiving guests entertained

Aside from the stress of cooking and preparing a meal, it’s important to remember to have fun with your friends during this special holiday too. Luckily, there are many ways to keep your guests entertained during your Friendsgiving celebration!

 1. The Gratitude Game^[2]

The Gratitude Game is a great way to get everyone thinking about what they are thankful for this year. Rather than going around the table and having everyone name something they are grateful for, the Gratitude Game helps encourage a wide variety of answers. Get a supply of colorful sticks or straws and start by making a chart to signify what each color represents. For example, if someone draws a red stick, they are to name a person they are thankful for. If someone draws a yellow stick, they are to name a place they are thankful for. The game is simple but provides a great opportunity to give thanks while in each other’s company.

2. Choose from a Variety of Card Games

Have a deck of cards lying around? Perfect! The opportunities for fun are endless when equipped with a deck of cards. However, if you have some extra time, I’d recommend picking up the card game:“We’re Not Really Strangers: Friendship Edition” either on Amazon or at your local Target. This game helps generate conversations by presenting prompts that are aimed at helping you get to know your friends even better than you already do.

3. Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

A true classic! Tired after eating turkey? Spend some downtime with your friends by watching one of my favorites, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, available on Apple TV+. In fact, this movie is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year.^[3] What better way to spend Friendsgiving than to watch Charlie Brown and all his friends celebrate their own Friendsgiving?

By now, hopefully, you are inspired to get together with your friends this Thanksgiving season and host your very own Friendsgiving! No matter how you decide to spend the day, you are bound to make new memories with your friends over some delicious dishes and wholesome activities!

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^[1] “Friendsgiving Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Friendsgiving Accessed 19 Nov. 2023.

^[2] “How to Play the Gratitude Game with Pick Up Sticks.” Game On Family, 12 Nov. 2018, gameonfamily.com/gratitude-game/  

^[3] France, Lisa Respers. “‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ Turns 50 and You Can Watch for Free This Weekend.” CNN, Cable News Network, 17 Nov. 2023, www.cnn.com/2023/11/17/entertainment/charlie-brown-thanksgiving-anniversary-airing/index.html

 Cover Photo: Warner Bros./Everett