The Ultimate Friendsgiving Planning Guide: Ideas, Menus, Games & More for 2025

Let's be real - Friendsgiving is what Thanksgiving would be if you actually got to choose your family. No awkward political debates with Uncle Bob, no pressure to use Grandma's china, and definitely no guilt trips about life choices. Just good friends, great food, and the freedom to start new traditions that actually make sense for your life.

Here's the thing about Friendsgiving that nobody tells you: it's simultaneously easier and harder than regular Thanksgiving. Easier because everyone actually brings what they promise (mostly), nobody expects perfection, and you can serve mac and cheese as a main dish if you want. Harder because coordinating schedules with adults is like herding cats, everyone has dietary restrictions, and someone always texts at 11 PM asking what they should bring tomorrow.

This year, 45% of millennials and 52% of Gen Z will host or attend a Friendsgiving celebration, with the average gathering including 9 people and costing about $12 per person when done potluck style. The trend has exploded so much that many people now celebrate both Friendsgiving AND traditional Thanksgiving, because why choose when you can feast twice?

After helping thousands plan their Friendsgiving celebrations through our platform (yes, people actually schedule "bring wine" reminder texts), I've learned what works, what doesn't, and what absolutely needs to be on a spreadsheet. This guide has everything from foolproof potluck coordination to games that won't make anyone cringe.

Whether you're cramming 15 people into a studio apartment or hosting your first "adult" dinner party, this guide will help you create a Friendsgiving that people will actually want to make an annual tradition. Because that's the real magic of Friendsgiving - you're not obligated to be there, you actually want to be.

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán on Pexels

📅 Friendsgiving Planning Basics & Timeline

The sweet spot for Friendsgiving is the weekend before Thanksgiving, but with everyone's crazy schedules, flexibility is key. Here's how to plan without losing your mind.

First rule of Friendsgiving: pick your date before October ends. I learned this the hard way when half my friend group had already committed to three other Friendsgivings. Yes, Friendsgiving proliferation is real, and your friends are probably more popular than you think.

Essential Friendsgiving Decisions

🎨 Creative Friendsgiving Themes & Concepts

A theme isn't mandatory, but it does make everything more cohesive and gives people direction. Plus, themes make for better Instagram posts, and isn't that what really matters?

The best Friendsgiving themes add fun without adding stress. Nobody wants to buy a costume for dinner at your apartment. Keep it simple enough that people can participate with what they have or minimal effort.

🍽️ Potluck Coordination That Actually Works

The potluck spreadsheet is the unsung hero of Friendsgiving. Without it, you'll end up with seven types of stuffing and no dessert. Trust me, I've been there.

Successful potluck coordination is 30% organization, 30% communication, and 40% having backup plans for when Jessica forgets she signed up to bring the turkey. Yes, the main dish. It happens.

Digital Tools That Save Friendsgiving

🦃 Friendsgiving Menu Ideas for Every Style

Friendsgiving menus are where tradition meets creativity. Nobody's grandma is watching, so bring on the mac and cheese bar and the Turkish spiced turkey!

The beauty of Friendsgiving is you can completely reimagine the menu. Vegetarian? Do it. All appetizers? Why not. Breakfast for dinner? You're an adult, live your truth.

Friendsgiving Signature Cocktails

🏠 Apartment Hosting Hacks for Friendsgiving

Just because you live in 500 square feet doesn't mean you can't host 15 people for Friendsgiving. It just means you need to get creative with physics and furniture.

I once hosted 18 people in a studio apartment. Was it comfortable? No. Was it memorable? Absolutely. The key is embracing the chaos and having a really good plan for where people will put their coats.

🍂 Budget-Friendly Friendsgiving Decorations

You don't need to spend your rent money to make your place look festive. The best Friendsgiving decorations are either free, cheap, or edible.

Real talk: nobody remembers the decorations unless they're either amazing or terrible. Aim for "festive enough" and spend your energy on food and fun instead.

The "Look Expensive but Isn't" Setup

• Dim overhead lights, use lamps and candles
• Group decorations rather than spreading thin
• Use books to create height differences
• Fresh grocery store flowers in mixed containers
• Cohesive color palette (pick 3 colors max)

🎲 Games & Activities That Don't Suck

The right games can make your Friendsgiving legendary. The wrong ones make people suddenly remember they have to wake up early tomorrow.

After extensive research (aka many Friendsgivings with varying levels of alcohol), I've found that the best games are ones that don't require explaining complex rules, allow people to join and leave easily, and create inside jokes for years to come.

Activities for Different Energy Levels

💌 Invitations & Guest Management

The days of Facebook events where 50 people are "interested" and 3 show up are over. Here's how to actually get RSVPs and manage your guest list like an adult.

Managing RSVPs & Flakes

• Set a real RSVP deadline and stick to it
• Follow up individually with non-responders
• Create a waitlist if you hit capacity
• Have a "plus-one" policy (or don't)
• Send calendar invites to confirmed guests

✨ Creating New Friendsgiving Traditions

The best part about Friendsgiving is creating traditions that actually make sense for your group, not inheriting weird family customs nobody understands.

Every great Friendsgiving tradition started as a random moment that became "remember when?" Start intentionally creating these moments, and soon you'll have traditions worth protecting.

⏰ The Day-Of Timeline That Actually Works

Here's a realistic timeline for hosting Friendsgiving without having a nervous breakdown. Yes, you will be late. Yes, it will be fine.

Friendsgiving Crisis Management

Because something will go wrong, and that's what makes the best stories later.

The Essential Friendsgiving Shopping List

Print this and check it twice. These are the things everyone forgets until it's too late.

The Morning After: Friendsgiving Recovery Protocol

The sign of a successful Friendsgiving is waking up on your couch, surrounded by plates, with someone's jacket as a blanket. Here's how to handle the aftermath:

• The Group Text: "Did everyone make it home?" followed by embarrassing photos
• The Leftover Lottery: First awake gets first pick
• The Dish Reunion: "Anyone missing a blue casserole dish?"
• The Thank You Round: Everyone thanks the host, host thanks everyone
• The Planning Begins: "Same time next year?"

Why Friendsgiving Matters More Than You Think

Here's what nobody tells you about Friendsgiving: it's practice for the family you're building. Not necessarily a biological family, but the network of people who will show up for you with a casserole when life gets hard, who will celebrate your wins like they're their own, and who will text you "you okay?" when you're too quiet in the group chat.

These are the people who knew you when you thought you had it all figured out at 25, who watched you fumble through your Saturn return, and who will probably be there when you're complaining about your back at 45. Friendsgiving isn't just a millennial trend or a fun excuse to drink on a random Saturday in November. It's an annual reminder that family is what you make it.

So yes, someone will burn something. The smoke alarm will definitely go off. You'll run out of forks. Someone will cry during gratitudes (probably you). The turkey might be dry, the apartment will be too hot, and you'll find mystery dishes in your cabinet for months.

But you'll also create inside jokes that last for years. You'll discover that Mike makes incredible pie. You'll realize that this chaotic group of humans you've collected is actually pretty spectacular. And sometime around midnight, when you're all sprawled out digesting and debating whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie, you'll think: "Yeah, this is what thankfulness feels like."