How To Host Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving, which falls on 28 November this year, often sees people jumping on a flight to spend the holiday with their families. But for those who can’t (or just don’t want to) a new trend is rising in popularity: Friendsgiving. Keen to host your own dinner? Here’s everything you need to know – and, crucially, what to cook for your guests.

The C&TH Guide To Friendsgiving

What Is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving is (you guessed it) all about celebrating friendship. The word, which was officially added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in January 2020, is obviously a blend of ‘friends’ and ‘Thanksgiving’, and refers to Thanksgiving events shared with friends. This could be instead of separate family celebrations, or as well as. 

Where Did Friendsgiving Come From?

According to Merriam-Webster, the term was first used on a post on X (then called Twitter). However, many credit the tradition to the TV show Friends, which includes multiple episodes of Monica, Rachel and the gang enjoying a Thanksgiving lunch together. The word was also used in a 2011 ad campaign by Baileys Irish Cream liqueur. Wherever the term originated, the trend continues to gain traction today, with Google reporting a surge in searches over the past week, and TikTok amassing millions of videos under the hashtag #friendsgiving, from recipe ideas to table inspiration and games.

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What To Cook

Generally, the menu for a Friendsgiving dinner looks very similar to a traditional Thanksgiving feast, which is all about sharing-style food. Festive dishes include:

Green Bean Casserole

This baked casserole dish is made using green beans and cream of mushroom soup, with crispy fried onions sprinkled on top. It became a popular side dish for Thanksgiving in the 1960s after Campbell’s Soup added a recipe on the can’s label.

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Sweet potatoes are usually cooked with savoury flavors, but in America it’s common to bake them with marshmallows on top. The dish usually involves boiling and mashing the potatoes, then creating a casserole, topping it with marshmallows and baking it in the oven.

Turkey

According to the National Turkey Federation, 88 percent of Americans eat turkey in some form on Thanksgiving. The wild turkey is a native bird of North America, and it became a popular choice to eat at large gatherings in the early 19th century due to the sheer abundance, as well as the size – just one turkey could feed a whole family. You could serve it the classic way (roasted in the oven, often with bacon), or try your hand at a roulade. 

Sweet Potato Gratin

Can’t get your head around the potato and marshmallow combination? Whizz up a sweet potato gratin instead, which is usually cooked with lots of Gruyère cheese. 

Brussels Sprouts

Love them or hate them, Brussels sprouts are a staple of Thanksgiving celebrations. They’re served in a variety of different ways, including creamed with butter and cheese, as a casserole, in a salad with ingredients like toasted almonds and pomegranate seeds, or roasted with bacon.

Cornbread

Freshly baked cornbread is the perfect side dish for your Friendsgiving dinner: a dish associated with the South, made with cornmeal, buttermilk and flour. Bake it in a skillet to achieve that hearty, crunchy crust.

Pumpkin Pie

For many, pumpkin pie is a quintessential part of the November holiday. It’s made using real pumpkin (which is in season around this time of year), alongside shortcrust pastry and seasonal spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Give it a go with Bettina Campolucci Bordi’s recipe here.

Pecan Pie

If you’re not a fan of pumpkin, pecan pie is another popular Friendsgiving dessert. It’s baked with ingredients like pecans, maple syrup and caster sugar, with a shortcrust pastry and often served with whipped cream or ice cream.

Other Hosting Ideas

• If the thought of cooking for a big group feels overwhelming, consider doing a potluck, where everyone brings a dish (this is very much in the spirit of Friendsgiving).
• Prep the table with a seasonal tablescape – think autumnal shades, mini pumpkins, foliage, dried flowers and lots of candles. This holiday is all about cosiness.
• Whizz up some festive cocktails, such as one of these pumpkin spice tipples, or an autumn Aperol Spritz. 
• Thanksgiving is all about being grateful, so why not organise a gratitude activity? You could provide small note cards for guests to write down something they’re thankful for.