Thanksgiving is a tradition that can never be replaced. Spending time with family and enjoying a meal is so important. But showing love for your friends is important too. That’s why we want to help you throw the ultimate Friendsgiving feast this year!
Our guide to hosting the perfect Friendsgiving party will provide tips on setting up, a list of movie and TV show recommendations to set the holiday mood, and directions to one of our favorite Thanksgiving-themed drinking games! Whether you’re having issues getting home for Thanksgiving, or you just want to have some holiday fun with your friends, we’re sure you’ll have a blast at your holiday get-together.
Your Guest List
A guest list is important because normally everyone who attends a Friendsgiving brings something with them. Here is a list of things you will need:
- Main entrée (enough to feed your whole group). You can go with the classic turkey dinner or change it up with steak or chicken. If you’re looking for a vegetarian-friendly option, you could go with Tofurkey or veggie lasagna!
- Two or three side dishes (whatever you prefer). Mashed potatoes and stuffing are an amazing combo, but sides such as macaroni and cheese or green bean casserole are just as good!
- Dishes and plasticware (Plates, utensils, napkins, cups, etc.).
- Apps – Can be something fancy (charcuterie board) or simple (chips).
- Tables and chairs (if you plan on having more than a few people).
- Beverages (Water, soda, and your choice of alcoholic beverages).
What’s for Dinner?
It’s time to decide what we’re eating! If you aren’t celebrating Thanksgiving with your family this year, you might want to go with a traditional Thanksgiving meal (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc). If you plan on sharing the traditional Thanksgiving meal with your family, you might want to eat something else on Friendsgiving. You can take the opportunity to chef it up or, if you’re feeling lazy, order some of your favorite takeout. You can also do it potluck style. Just assign each friend a category and let them do their best. Whatever floats your boat! Just make sure that there’s enough food for everyone.
Setting Up
Set up your Friendsgiving feast family style so that everybody can serve themselves. Gather around the table, share stories, and enjoy your meal!
Post-Meal Movie and TV Recommendations
After a meal like that, there’s nothing better than kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying some quality TV time. Watching a Thanksgiving-themed movie or a Thanksgiving episode of a TV show with your friends is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Here are some of our favorites:
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) (Rated R) Available on Paramount +, AMC, PlutoTV, and Prime Video.
- The Oath (2018) (Rated R) Available on Kanopy and Prime Video.
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) (Rated TV-G) Available on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) (Rated PG) Available on Hulu, Freeform, Freevee, and Prime Video.
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – The Gang Squashes Their Beefs (season 9, episode 10) (2013) (Rated TV-MA) Available on Hulu, FXNOW, YouTube TV, and Prime Video.
- Into The Dark: Pilgrim (2019) (Rated R) Available on Hulu.
- ThanksKilling (2008) (Rated R) Available on The Roku Channel, PlutoTV, Tubi, Vudu, and Prime Video.
- Any of the Friends “Friendsgiving” episodes (There are NINE). Available on HBO Max, Vudu, and Prime Video.
Mr. Turkey Drinking Game
Crank up the party with this amazing Thanksgiving drinking game. Think you know everything about your best friend? Choose them as your partner in Mr. Turkey and see if you’re right. Here are the rules:
- Everyone splits into teams of two. Choose a partner that you know like the back of your hand.
- Pick a category (favorite band, favorite food, favorite movie, etc.)
- One teammate will have an answer. The other teammate has to guess the answer.
- You only get 30 seconds to guess the correct answer.
- If you guess correctly within 30 seconds, your team moves on!
- If you don’t guess correctly within 30 seconds, the guesser has to take a sip of their drink and is referred to as Mr. Turkey for the rest of the night.
- It’s time to see how well you really know your friends. This turkey is cooked!
If you follow this guide, we know you’ll be looking forward to Friendsgiving every year. Remember to check out our site for any of your party or holiday needs and to let your family and friends know how thankful you are!
