What is Friendsgiving?! Friendsgiving is an extension of Thanksgiving that originated sometime around 2007. At Thanksgiving, families strive to gather from near and far to share a harvest meal together and reflect on their blessings from the past year. For Americans, Thanksgiving is modeled after the 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. Friendsgiving was created to provide that similar Thanksgiving appreciation and gratitude but with the friends that have become like family. These parties are a chance to connect and embrace the bond of friendship – and in keeping with tradition, over a hearty harvest meal!
Maximizing my time outdoors has always been something I strive for, so it’s no surprise that my idea of a Friendsgiving (or any other gathering) is backyard/patio or oceanside themed. Over the years of friendship, one thing is always constant and that is the memories made by a bonfire. Some of my fondest memories seem to always happen around the glow of the firepit-the conversations are deep and sincere, and the laughs are always heartier. So if these tend to be some of the best times with friends, what better than to create a Friendsgiving scene around a backyard fire.
I have put together some ideas below under the categories of Table, Food & Drink, Games, and Extras with links to shop some of the items at the bottom of each category. I hope that this guide helps you to create a memorable get-together with your closest friends. A fall wedding, Thanksgiving, and autumn parties can also benefit from these ideas as well. Happy Friendsgiving to you, and thank you for your support over the past year!
The Table
The table decor should always be simple and rustic just like the first Thanksgiving. Now a few wooden lanterns and pumpkin centerpieces wouldn’t hurt, after all, I’m sure the pilgrims would’ve included that too if they had a Homegoods in town.
To create a long boho-style table, use pallets. For added table height, simply stack them or use cinder blocks to raise the table up. A lot of warehouses and hardware stores give pallets away for free. Some pallets are also fire-safe (no chemicals), so they can be used after dinner for a bonfire!
Use simple wooden cutting boards as placemats or as Individual Bread/Charcuterie Boards. Use a 2oz Moscow mule cup as a butter/condiment dish. Item linked below. For an inexpensive alternative, purchase unfinished craft cutting boards and line with brown parchment paper.
Birchwood slices make fantastic rustic cup coasters and are inexpensive. Larger slices can be personalized and used as placemats.
DIY place cards using pinecones and cardstock
Easy DIY personalized utensil holder using brown lunch bags and twine. Link to bag below this section and the step by step guide here: https://www.thekimsixfix.com/2014/11/brown-paper-bag-place-card-and-napkin.html
Table cloth: I love the look of autumn plaid flannel lining a wooden table- it gives the table color and eliminates the need for bold and bright centerpieces. Linked below I have a frugal way to achieve this look using oversized blanket scarves. For just over $10, you get a thin (perfect for a table) autumn plaid table cover that is a generous 59″x59″ – that’s almost 5’x5′! Many colors to choose from as well!
If you are planning to fill the table with colorful glasses, dishware, and centerpieces I recommend using a rustic table covering of simple brown kraft paper. It’s inexpensive but surprisingly elegant on a filled table. It also offers the option of personalizing the table settings by writing directly on the paper.
Wooden lanterns are a perfect addition to a Thanksgiving table. They can be left empty, or filled with greenery and pumpkins. Traditionally, you can use them with candles as lighted centerpieces extending the length of the table.
Simple DIY pumpkin tealight holders are perfect for the centerpiece. You can use battery-operated tealights instead of candles if preferred. Step by step guide here: https://www.interiorfrugalista.com/2020/10/real-mini-pumpkin-tealight-holders.html?m=1
Or try this method using apples! The step by step guide can be found here: https://designertrapped.com/how-to-make-apple-candles/?epik=dj0yJnU9MlROcnpXWVZXUFRuSHlONXl6NUFPRjd1cWllZGZUb1YmcD0wJm49alZ3bFAtcDJJV3lNUEtad1hhWktSdyZ0PUFBQUFBR0dTeEVn
Make your own pumpkin vase. Simply cut off the stem, hollow out the pumpkin (any size) and place an empty can or floral foam inside. Add fresh or faux flowers as well as wheat. For ground decor, you can transplant mums into larger pumpkins.
Or try a DIY succulent pumpkin centerpiece: https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2020/10/05/how-to-create-a-succulent-pumpkin-centerpiece/
You can never go wrong with a simple greenery table runner – make your own garland using eucalyptus, lambs ear, and even some pine branches mixed in. Seeded eucalyptus is also a great choice for the harvest look.
Shop the Table:
The Games
For a spin on the traditional backyard games (ie. football, cornhole, ladder ball)! Use a folding card table or just spray paint lines on the grass/patio to create game boards. Use mini pumpkins as the game pieces.
I also have a printable family-friendly game bundle available for purchase in my shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1123115683/thanksgiving-printable-game-bundle?ref=shop_home_active_1
Shop the Games:
The Food & Drinks
Make your own apple dipping and/or smores station! Having little stations set up allows people to mingle and is a great conversation starter.
For the apples, I would use small ones and keep them whole as opposed to slicing ahead of time – this cuts down on prep work and also eliminates the chance of them attracting bugs and going brown. The theme would be more of a candy apple station – set up Sterno trays or small crockpots to keep the melted caramel dip and chocolate warm. Have the apples prewashed and dried; if any water gets into the melted chocolate, it will seize up and get clumpy. Set out bowls of toppings – crushed nuts and candies.
I am all about making DIY food stations at gatherings- it’s like a cross between a buffet and a charcuterie board. I love how these stations allow everyone to personalize their own little treats.
With the main course, try my Brussels and maple squash recipe! This is a great dish for vegetarians, as it provides added protein from crushed pecans. Here is the link:
https://driftwoodcorner.net/holiday-brussels-with-maple-squash/
More ideas for the main sit down meal: https://thepurposedplan.com/easy-friendsgiving-food-ideas/
Use a slow cooker (or pressure cooker with a warm setting) to serve hot cider or other hot drinks. Here is a great hot cider bar recipe: https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-apple-cider/
The DIY hot cocoa station is a classic for all ages! Try it with espresso and Baileys Irish cream for the adults! Set out little jars of mini dehydrated marshmallows, crushed peppermint (or peppermint stick stirrers), and other toppings.
In place of coolers with canned drinks, have iced drinks mixed and ready to pour in glasses. This gives a unique and classy feel to the party- more like a family event.
Try this sparkling cranberry apple cider punch from a fellow blogger:
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/sparkling-cranberry-apple-cider-punch/
Or this apple cider sangria with honey whiskey + white wine: https://www.livinglocurto.com/apple-cider-fall-sangria/
Shop the Food & Drink Accessories
The Extras
Throw blankets are always a good idea for guests when hosting an outdoor party. It is a thoughtful way of creating a comfortable space and projecting a welcoming and relaxed environment. Creating an accessible, self-service blanket station encourages everyone to stay cozy. As a very timid child, I remember the struggle of sleeping at a friend’s house and being cold, but not brave enough to speak up…so I’d use a couch pillow to cover me. Haha.
Bales of hay can be used in place of benches and chairs. Line them with inexpensive throws or blanket scarves linked above in the table decor section. Splash a few drops of peppermint or spearmint oil along the bottom to keep bugs (especially spiders) away!
Bales of hay can also be helpful when extra tables are scarce. It is an inexpensive and quite sturdy table that is the very definition of Autumn and Thanksgiving decor. For backyard parties, splash a few drops of peppermint or spearmint oil along the bottom to keep bugs (especially spiders) away! A peppermint scented spray can also be used.
Illuminate a tree line or deck posts with string lights. Take it up a notch: Use clothespins to hang up some old pictures – creating a lighted wall of old memories with these friends! Or start a new tradition of taking polaroid pictures on each Friendsgiving: set a few Instax polaroid cameras around the table and yard. Anyone can take a picture, but they have to hang it up immediately on the string lights! You’ll be surprised to see funny moments and memories that may have been missed. Anyone who knows me knows that I take “too many pictures” …but in my mind, pictures freeze a moment in time forever. And that’s something I will always cherish having.
Www.inspiredbythis.com featured this inspiring idea for Friendsgiving or even your family Thanksgiving, and I absolutely am enthralled with it. Create a menu on a wooden board listing the name of the guest making each dish. This also helps direct your “who made this amazing pie?” questions throughout the day. This is a simple conversation starter that I highly recommend incorporating into your next big gathering.
Shop the Extras:
Check out our Etsy store, for you or any dog lovers in your family! http://etsy.com/shop/driftwoodcorner
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