Friendsgiving Ideas: How to Host + Free Printable Menu and Place Cards

Friendsgiving is Thanksgiving with your friends: same big meal, same gratitude, but a lot more relaxed. Maybe your family is far away, maybe you want a second Thanksgiving, or maybe you just love a good potluck. These Friendsgiving ideas cover everything from the date and the menu to the table, games and a few hosting tricks, plus a free printable Thanksgiving menu card and place cards.

When to host Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26. Most Friendsgivings happen on the weekend before (November 21 or 22) or the Saturday after (November 28), so they don’t clash with family plans. Send the invite two to three weeks ahead.

Make it a potluck

A potluck is the easiest way to host. You make the turkey (or the main dish), and everyone else signs up for one thing. Use a shared note or a group chat so nobody brings the fifth bowl of mashed potatoes. A good potluck list for 10 guests:

• Host: turkey or main dish, gravy, drinks
• Sides (4 guests): mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, mac and cheese
• Extras (2 guests): dinner rolls and butter, cranberry sauce
• Salad (1 guest): a fall salad with apples, pecans and greens
• Desserts (2 guests): pumpkin pie and one wildcard dessert
• Drinks (1 guest): wine, cider or a big-batch cocktail

Friendsgiving menu ideas

Mains

A whole roast turkey is classic, but a turkey breast, a spiral ham or a big tray of roast chicken thighs is easier for a small group. For vegetarian guests, a stuffed squash or a mushroom pot pie works well.

Sides

Mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts, corn pudding and mac and cheese.

Desserts

Pumpkin pie, apple crumble, pecan pie bars and a tray of cookies for anyone who wants “just a bite.”

Drinks

Warm apple cider, a big pitcher of cranberry spritz, and a sparkling non-alcoholic option for everyone who’s driving.

Set the table

• Keep it simple. A runner, a few small pumpkins, candles and some leaves from outside look great together.
• Use place cards. They make a potluck feel special and help mix up friend groups who don’t know each other yet.
• Put the menu on display. A printed menu card on the buffet tells guests what’s coming and who made it.
• Gratitude cards. Put a question card on each plate, like “What’s something small that made you happy this year?”

Friendsgiving games and activities

1. Thanksgiving trivia: teams, 20 questions, winner gets the last slice of pie.
2. Gratitude jar: everyone writes one thing they’re thankful for, then you read them out and guess who wrote each one.
3. Find the guest who: a mingling bingo card, ideal when not everyone knows each other.
4. Turkey bingo: easy, fun and works for big groups.
5. Pie ranking: everyone tastes and votes for the best dessert.

Need more? See our 15 Thanksgiving games for adults with free printable trivia and an icebreaker.

Hosting tips

• Ask about allergies and diets in the invite so you can label dishes.
• Borrow extra chairs and a folding table a few days early.
• Clear your fridge before the party. Potluck dishes need space.
• Have to-go containers ready so everyone takes leftovers home.
• Do the dishes the next day. Friendsgiving is about the people, not a spotless kitchen.

Hosting a bigger crowd? The Thanksgiving Family Printable Pack adds a host planner and 60 pages of activities. Or start with the free Thanksgiving Table Talk cards.

FAQ

What is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving is a Thanksgiving-style meal shared with friends instead of family, usually as a potluck around Thanksgiving week.

What should I bring to Friendsgiving?

Ask the host what’s missing. Good safe picks are a side dish, dinner rolls, a dessert or a bottle of wine or cider.

How many people should I invite?

Eight to twelve is the sweet spot: big enough to feel like a party, small enough to sit around one table.