By Evana Arvantis
Friendsgiving is the unofficial holiday we all secretly live for. It is the perfect excuse to gather your favorite people, an occasion worthy of either dressing up or lounging in style, and the perfect moment to toast to the family you choose. For those who might not be familiar, Friendsgiving is the chic, friend-centric remix to Thanksgiving, focusing on gratitude for friends on a holiday that is normally centered around family. With a little planning and creativity, you can host a Friendsgiving party that feels effortless, unforgettable, and creates new memories your group will talk about for years.
The first step to a standout Friendsgiving is setting the scene. With everyone juggling busy holiday travel and college schedules, coordination is key to making sure everyone can attend. The location itself doesn’t need to be extravagant, any space can feel festive with the right setup. Staying at SMU for the break? Transform your dorm’s common room into a cozy gathering place. Heading home? Use your dining room, or even backyard (weather permitting). Both can become the perfect backdrop for your celebration.
When it comes to food, potluck-style is the undisputed Friendsgiving gold standard. Asking each guest to bring their own dish not only lightens the host’s load, but it transforms the meal into a shared experience. To keep things balanced, assign categories such as mains, sides, desserts, and drinks to make sure you have a nice array of food. The key to staying organized? Create a shared note or group chat where everyone can claim their dish. Maybe the host handles the main event while guests sign up for crowd-pleasers like mac and cheese, apple pie, or whatever dish they swear they make best.
But Friendsgiving menus don’t have to stick to the traditional Thanksgiving fare. You can just as easily build the meal around a fun tradition with your friends or even takeout from a hometown favorite spot everyone’s been craving. In that case, the host can still anchor the meal, while guests supply the festive drinks or sweet treats to round the feast.
Décor is crucial to cultivating the perfect fall vibe but doesn’t have to break the bank. Friendsgiving is rooted in warmth and togetherness, and your décor should simply echo that. Think soft lighting, rich autumn tones, and a few candles or string lights to cast a cozy glow. Add personal touches like handwritten place cards, simple DIY leaf garlands, or a “gratitude wall” made from colorful paper where guests can jot down what they’re thankful for. A thoughtfully styled space also doubles as the ideal photo moment, giving your friends a backdrop worthy of the memories you’re making. And don’t forget the music – curate a playlist that feels like fall in soundtrack form to instantly elevate the atmosphere.
If your group decides to dress to impress, lean fully into the late-fall, early-holiday aesthetic. Think a chic chocolate-brown or deep maroon dress, or a cozy-but-polished cream sweater paired with dark-wash denim or a black silk maxi skirt. For a little outfit inspiration, try The Ellery in the “Vivian” print from Réalisation Par, or go classic with J.Crew’s iconic Rollneck sweater in Ivory, styled with Reformation’s Cary jeans for a subtle hardware moment. Elevating your look treats Friendsgiving like the holiday it deserves to be, and makes the celebration feel instantly more special.
In the end, the perfect Friendsgiving isn’t about flawless dishes or picture-perfect décor, it’s about creating new memories and surrounding yourself with the people who feel like home.
