If Thanksgiving is the stuff of family drama and nostalgia, then Friendsgiving is its cooler, slightly-chaotic cousin. It’s the holiday where friends come together to create their own version of Thanksgiving magic—complete with questionable recipes, inside jokes, and a little more wine than probably necessary. Friendsgiving has grown from a niche event for young adults to a full-fledged holiday phenomenon, and honestly, we’re here for it.
In the spirit of non-traditional tradition, Friendsgiving has become a celebration of friendship, food, and a lot of laughs. There are no turkey-stuffing-family expectations here. Instead, there’s a whole lot of improvisation, mismatched plates, and unfiltered conversation, all served with a side of carbs (because, really, what would Friendsgiving be without carbs?). So, grab your most festive (or most sarcastic) sweater, and let’s dive into what makes Friendsgiving the most fun, hilarious, and sometimes downright ridiculous holiday on the calendar.
1. The Invite List: “Who’s Coming, Again?”
The guest list for Friendsgiving is always an adventure. This isn’t your typical formal dinner party—this is a free-for-all of random plus-ones, last-minute additions, and possibly an awkward ex or two who “just happened to be in town” and “really loves mashed potatoes.” The group chat leading up to the event is full of questions like:
- “Wait, are we doing turkey or just pizza?”
- “Does anyone know if Sarah is still vegan?”
- “Who’s bringing the real cranberry sauce? The canned stuff is not acceptable.”
No one can ever quite agree on whether or not you should have a theme (is it “Potluck Mystery Meal” or “Thanksgiving, but make it brunch”?), but that’s part of the fun. At some point, someone mentions “just bring whatever you can make,” and the next thing you know, you’re stuck making both a spinach dip and an experimental casserole no one asked for—just because you had the ingredients on hand.
2. The Potluck Panic: Pinterest vs. Reality
In theory, a potluck sounds like a great idea: each friend brings a dish, everyone chips in, and there’s a variety of food for all. In practice? Well, let’s just say the outcome is often a bit… unpredictable. Sure, you’re all friends, but that doesn’t mean you trust each other with your most prized recipes.
- The Pinterest Fiasco: One friend, ever the optimist, tries to impress everyone by attempting a “gourmet” dish that they saw on Pinterest. They present it proudly, only for everyone to stare in horror at what is essentially a burnt soufflé of doom. “I swear it looked better in the photo!” they explain, as you all quietly contemplate whether it’s okay to serve it to the dog.
- The “What Am I Eating?” Mystery Dish: Then there’s always that one friend who shows up with something that looks suspiciously like a dessert, but upon closer inspection, it turns out to be a savory jello salad or some kind of casserole that requires its own Wikipedia page to understand. Everyone takes one bite and then spends the next 10 minutes trying to decode what they just ate—was that… marshmallows in that stuffing? Why do I taste ranch in the mashed potatoes? Who knows? It’s Friendsgiving. You just roll with it.
- The “I Just Grabbed Something from the Store” Move: No judgment here, but there’s always one friend who, despite the group chat encouraging “home-cooked dishes,” shows up with a plastic bag from the grocery store. “I didn’t have time to cook, so I brought three bags of chips,” they say proudly, as everyone gives them a standing ovation. Hey, at least it’s not more of that mysterious jello salad.
3. The Drinks: Too Many or Not Enough?
One of the main reasons Friendsgiving is so much fun? The drinks. Whether it’s wine, cocktails, or a secret punch recipe that definitely should have a warning label, alcohol plays a starring role in the festivities. And let’s be honest, the jokes get exponentially funnier as the evening wears on.
- The DIY Cocktail Disaster: Someone always thinks they can make a fancy signature drink—usually a concoction involving whiskey, cranberry juice, and something very questionable. The result? Half the group tries the drink and immediately questions their life choices. “Is this… just a fruit punch with tequila?” someone asks. “It’s not that bad,” replies the “mixologist,” while everyone secretly wonders if they should switch to water.
- The “Are You Even Drunk?” Contest: As the night progresses, things get a little more rowdy, and the inevitable game of “Who can drink the most without passing out?” begins. Suddenly, you’re playing drinking games—whether it’s beer pong, flip cup, or the really impromptu “how many shots until we forget we have a turkey in the oven?” game.
- The Over-Caffeinated Friend: Of course, there’s always that one person who somehow stays completely sober despite all the wine and mixed drinks circulating. They’re pacing around making sure no one has to use the “bad” bathroom, organizing the “Who’s still hungry?” conversations, and generally being responsible. You secretly resent them, but also appreciate their dedication to keeping things (mostly) together.
4. The “Dinner” That’s Actually Just Snacks: Friendsgiving Flexibility
Let’s be honest: Thanksgiving meals are long, drawn-out affairs, where you spend hours cooking just to eat for 20 minutes before retreating to the couch in a food coma. Friendsgiving? Not so much.
- The Grazing Feast: Friendsgiving is more like a grazing event than a formal sit-down dinner. People wander around eating handfuls of chips, taking random bites of whatever’s closest, and occasionally circling back for more pie. No one really knows when “dinner” officially happens—everyone just kind of eats whenever they feel like it. Did you eat three servings of mashed potatoes? Who cares. Now, it’s time for more wine.
- The “I’m Gonna Eat That Whole Pie” Moment: There’s always one dessert that somehow ends up being the most popular. This year’s hot take? It’s pumpkin pie, but with a twist. You somehow end up eating 90% of it by yourself, while everyone else is off in the corner playing Cards Against Humanity or debating whether or not “the stuffing really needed that extra cup of cream cheese.” It’s fine. You’re not a glutton, just a passionate pie enthusiast.
5. The Aftermath: The “We’re All Going to Regret This” Hour
As the night winds down, everyone starts to realize the mess that has been created—empty bottles, half-eaten snacks, and, of course, the leftover food. The group chat the next day? It’s all about:
- “Did anyone see who took the last slice of pie?”
- “Can someone explain why the turkey is half-eaten but no one remembers eating turkey?”
- “I’m pretty sure someone lost their keys. Did anyone find them?”
And of course, someone (probably you) is wondering whether you should be fully regretting the decision to wear your tight jeans to a Friendsgiving that ended in a massive carb coma, or if it was just worth it to eat all that stuffing like it was your job. Spoiler: It’s always worth it.
Conclusion: Friendsgiving = Pure Joy
Friendsgiving might not have the same traditional grandeur of a family dinner, but that’s part of what makes it so special. It’s about celebrating the people who have become your chosen family. It’s about laughter, inside jokes, and shared memories—even if some of those memories involve dubious recipes or a wine-induced dance party at the end of the night. It’s imperfect and beautiful, messy and heartfelt, and one of the most fun holidays you’ll ever experience.
So next year, get ready for a turkey-less adventure (or maybe a turkey too crispy to eat) and remember—Friendsgiving isn’t about perfect food or ideal company. It’s about the joy of being surrounded by your weird, wonderful, slightly inappropriate-at-times, but always hilarious friends.
