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You are here: Home / Holidays / autumn / How to Host Friendsgiving Dinner with Tablescape & Recipes

How to Host Friendsgiving Dinner with Tablescape & Recipes

This guide has everything you need to know to host a Friendsgiving Thanksgiving dinner party with ideas for a Thanksgiving tablescape, delicious recipes, hostess tips, and more. You’ll love the Friendsgiving menu and party decor we set up outside. Make this a potluck style party and get ready for Thanksgiving entertaining with friends!

Friendsgiving Thanksgiving ideas

These ideas for Friendsgiving are tried and true and have been tested by my friends and me for years. Follow this guide for a fun-filled celebration!

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?

  • What is a Friendsgiving Party?
  • How do you host Friendsgiving?
  • Friendsgiving Thanksgiving Tablescape
  • How to Plan Friendsgiving
  • Friendsgiving Thanksgiving Menu

What is a Friendsgiving Party?

Friendsgiving is the newest trend in entertaining for Thanksgiving. It’s a fantastic tradition that’s been gaining in popularity over the last decade. And I LOVE hosting it!

We used to have a circle of friends who were all transplants with no family nearby. So we all got together on Thanksgiving day to celebrate with each other and our children.

Those are some of my fondest memories of any holidays over the years. But as seasons change, so do the seasons of life. Our Friendsgiving celebrations phased out as friends moved away, and lives and families changed and evolved.

I still love the idea, though. And you can plan to hold your Friendsgiving dinner a week or two before the actual holiday, or on Thanksgiving itself. 

Friendsgiving Thanksgiving tablescape Thanksgiving table setting Thanksgiving centerpiece idea

How do you host Friendsgiving?

  • Usually the host will cook the turkey and whatever else she chooses, while everyone else brings a side dish or dessert to share. You get to try new recipes that other’s hold dear, and there’s an amazing variety of food available.

PARTY TIP: Be prepared to share your recipes with the others so they can add it to their holiday menu repertoire. Print out a few copies beforehand so you can hand them out.

  • Start planning your dinner party at the beginning of November. That way everyone has time to plan what dish they will make to bring. This is definitely a potluck party!
  • The entire nature of Friendsgiving is that you celebrate with good friends. There’s no need to send formal invitations. Just start a text chain, a facebook event, or send an Evite digital invitation where everyone can respond with their items.

Host a Friendsgiving for friends who don’t have family near by and can’t travel.

  • If you’re celebrating on the actual Thanksgiving holiday, this is a great time to invite guests who may not have plans otherwise. Extend your friend group to include co-workers, neighbors, or friends of friends who can’t be with their own family.

When we celebrated Friendsgiving it was an all day event. Guests would arrive to the host house by around 11 am or noon. We’d eat appetizers and sip wine, and talk and play games while the turkey finished cooking. Dinner usually happened around 6 or 7pm.

entertaining pro Chris Neasefall table setting

Friendsgiving Thanksgiving Tablescape

Creating a Thanksgiving table setting is my favorite part of hosting. Well, that and the food…and the wine…and friends…so basically all the things make me happy about Friendsgiving!

For this Friendsgiving party, I was drawn to the color combination of blue and orange. And our new patio was the perfect setting. If you’re in a warmer climate, an outdoor setting may be a good fit for you too.

The table setting I created is casual and inviting. But it still has a holiday feel with a large flower arrangement and mini pumpkins. If you’re into a more formal look, check out my dinning room table for holiday entertaining.

  • This table was super simple to pull together using an inexpensive burlap runner, basic white dishes, and coordinating napkins and drink ware.
  • I implemented my secrets to flower arranging to create the centerpiece. I wanted a showstopping flower arrangement but didn’t want it to get in the way of conversation across the table.  So I moved it to one end where it’s still a focal point but doesn’t impede the view between guests.
  • Line candle sticks down the center of the table and place mini pumpkins on top. This brings in a pop of color and whimsy to the setting.
  • Mixed metallics are the “jewelry” of the table with brass candlesticks, gold flatware, gold-painted lucky wishbones, and copper Moscow mule cups.
  • Pine cones are a natural element that doubles as place card holders.

TIP: If you pick your pine cones from the wild, get rid of any lingering critters by following one of the techniques here.

Friendsgiving table setting Thanksgiving tabletoppull the lucky wish bone

How to Plan Friendsgiving

When you host a Friendsgiving Thanksgiving be prepared with these party ideas. The host can be in charge of games and take-home boxes, or assign a guest to bring them.

Make sure to have cozy seating areas ready to gather in. The best part is that most of the work has already been done so when you get together you can relax and have fun together.

  • We sip on autumn cocktails or wine, and nibble on light appetizers throughout the day while the turkey finishes cooking.
  • Be prepared with some fun interactive games to play. We love playing Apples to Apples, or Cards Against Humanity. A game of poker can be fun, and of course there’s football on tv to watch. 
  • Set up a lounge area and serve my hot Russian tea for sipping. Add a shot of rum or bourbon to make it extra special for the adults.
  • If you’re lucky enough to set up on the patio provide blankets and throws, and wood in the fire pit in case the temperature drops.
  • Don’t stress too much about seating. You can move chairs and benches back and forth from the sitting area to the dinner table, when needed.
  • At the end of the meal each guest can take their shot at pulling the “lucky wishbone” with a partner to see who’s wishes will come true!

HOSTESS TIP: Have some disposable containers on hand so guests can take home leftovers for lunch the next day.

fall patio decorating hot cider on tray foraged antlers in caddy fall-cheers

Friendsgiving Thanksgiving Menu

DO coordinate your menu with your friends so you don’t have three mac n’ cheeses, and no pies! For the “cooking challenged” we assign dinner rolls, an easy appetizer, or wine.

Here are some of my favorite holiday and Thanksgiving recipes you can make and take.

Friendsgiving Side Dish Recipes

Bring these tried and true side dishes to your Thanksgiving dinner or Friendsgiving party.

Creamy Mac-n-Cheese Recipe

This macaroni and cheese is creamy and delicious and feeds a crowd.

Marinated Green Bean Salad 

This green bean salad adds something light to the table among all those casseroles. Plus, you won't need the oven for it!

Easy Side Dish - Cornbread Spoon Bread is a Southern Favorite!

No holiday meal is complete without this traditional southern cornbread spoon bread. It's lightly sweet, it's moist, and it goes great with any meal.

Delicious Broccoli Casserole

Upgrade your green bean casserole to this amazing broccoli casserole instead.

Curried Pumpkin Soup & Stuffing Balls

This rich and scrumptious soup is a fantastic starter. Serve it in mini cups or shot glasses for a fun appetizer, and add these stuffing balls on the side.

Streusel Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Is it a side dish? Is it dessert? Who cares. It's truly delicious and has both marshmallows AND crunchy streusel on top so you don't have to choose.

Friendsgiving Dessert recipes

The more dessert options the better I always say. Here are some of our standard holiday dessert recipes for Thanksgiving dinner.

Easy No Bake Thanksgiving Trifle 

Luscious layers of pumpkin cream, pumpkin cake, and ginger snaps make this fall dessert a showstopper. Both in presentation and taste.

Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe

This southern deep dish chocolate chess pie is perfect for dinner party or holiday dessert. It's easy to make using milk, cocoa powder, and a touch of instant coffee for a rich, indulgent dessert.

Easy Pumpkin Pie

I've been making this easy pumpkin pie recipe for 20 years. It's so good there's no reason to change it up!

Luscious 4-Layer Pumpkin Cake with Pumpkin Cream Recipe

Add a cake next to all the pies. This layer cake looks impressive and tastes delectable!

Pecan Pie Trifle Recipe

Add another twist on tradition with this pecan pie trifle. Store bought pie meets sweetened cream filling and it's a marriage made in heaven.

Delicious Chess Pie Recipe

This is another classic family favorite. Made with sugar and butter and pastry, how can you go wrong?

Rustic Apple Galette with Caramel Drizzle Recipe

Add this apple galette to the table for a different flavor profile. The galette is a fun rustic twist on pie.

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake Recipe

It doesn't get much easier than this pumpkin dump cake. The flavors are traditionally Thanksgiving but the presentation is rustic and another great alternative. to pie.

Previous: Easy Dinner Ideas For Casual Entertaining
Next: Easy Side Dish – Cornbread Spoon Bread is a Southern Favorite!

November 4, 2019 8:08 pm Chris Filed Under: autumn, blue, CAH Styling, Dinner Party, Entertaining, Holidays, Menus for Entertaining, orange, Tablescapes, Thanksgiving

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bird says

    November 6, 2019 at 12:02 pm

    Love this color combo, and you made it look so beautiful as always! ♥

  2. Nicole says

    November 5, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    I’m always blown away by your tables capes and party themes! And I am so obsessed with copper dishes right now!

    • Chris says

      November 10, 2015 at 9:35 am

      Thanks so much, Nicole!
      I know, isn’t the copper so pretty. I love how it coordinates with the gold/brass that’s been so popular too.

  3. Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says

    November 4, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    Beautiful, just beautiful! And such a great idea for special holiday memories with our friends!

    • Chris says

      November 10, 2015 at 9:36 am

      Robin, we have so many good stories to tell from our years of “Friendsgiving” 😉

  4. [email protected] blog says

    November 4, 2015 at 8:56 am

    This looks fabulous! We frequently spend the holiday with friends as we are all so far from family. Thanks for the great ideas.

    • Chris says

      November 10, 2015 at 9:39 am

      Yes, Elizabeth, it can be tough to travel at Thanksgiving. This is a great alternative.

  5. Kara Woolery says

    November 3, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    I absolutely adore this! I love the mugs, place settings, and the cozy sitting area! And Chris you look adorable! Cute outfit!!

    • Chris says

      November 3, 2015 at 10:29 pm

      Thank you, Kara. Sometimes I think I entertain just so I can shop and wear a new outfit! LOL

  6. Carrie Harris says

    November 3, 2015 at 10:21 am

    This is gorgeous!! I live in a climate where outdoor Thanksgiving entertaining may or may not work, but I love the idea of an outdoor Friendsgiving!

    • Chris says

      November 3, 2015 at 10:26 pm

      Same here, Carrie. 70 degrees one week, 40 the next!

  7. Amy BI says

    November 2, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    I love this! I would come to your Friendsgiving in a heartbeat.

    • Chris says

      November 3, 2015 at 10:25 pm

      Girrrrrl, we would have a blast! Paul and Chuck could be best buds too!

  8. Tori says

    November 2, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    I love how casual yet elegant this all looks Chris!

    • Chris says

      November 3, 2015 at 10:24 pm

      Thanks so much, Tori. It’s fun for me to look back and see how my style has evolved over the years.

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The most important thing about parties & entertaining is the guest list! Next, it should be delicious, beautiful, unique, and fun. Calling on my years of experience, I’ll show you how to pull it all together with style. Cheers!

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