Friendsgiving is a beloved tradition for many, offering a unique opportunity to come together and celebrate gratitude with your chosen family. While the traditional Thanksgiving is all about family, Friendsgiving is a chance to let your hair down and enjoy the holiday season with your closest friends. If you’re looking to host an amazing Friendsgiving, here are some creative ideas to help you get started:
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1. Make it a Potluck
Encourage your friends to bring their favorite dishes. This not only eases the cooking burden but also adds a delightful variety of flavors to the feast. Create a signup sheet with different categories such as appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts to ensure a balanced and delicious meal.
With a potluck it is a great idea to have to-go containers on hand just in case anyone wishes to take some home.
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2. Go All Out with Decor
Friendsgiving is typically more relaxed than a traditional Thanksgiving, so have fun with the decor. Incorporate autumnal elements like pumpkins, leaves, and candles to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. You can even involve your friends in a DIY craft session to make some of the decorations, adding a personal touch to the ambiance.
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3. Karaoke Station
Set up a karaoke station for some musical entertainment. Your friends can showcase their singing talents or just have a good laugh trying. To make it even more fun, consider choosing a theme for the karaoke, like ’90s classics or songs of gratitude.
How: Apple recently came out with a karaoke option for their music library on Apple TV, where you can also use your iPad as a camera so that the person singing appears on the screen with various effects. You still need a karaoke machine and a microphone, of course. Just make sure that you have everything updated to the latest software, and you should be able to do this. If you would like to learn more, you can find more information here.
If you don’t have Apple products, no worries, you can also just go to YouTube and use Sing King (a karaoke channel.) I recommend just getting Youtube premium for the night to avoid all the AD interruptions.
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4. Games Galore
Offer a selection of games such as “Never Have I Ever” or Friendsgiving bingo to keep everyone entertained and engaged. You can create your own Friendsgiving-themed bingo cards with inside jokes and shared memories to make the game even more special.
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5. Physical Game
Emulate the iconic “Friends” episode with a game of touch football. It’s a great way to get everyone active and involved. Make it even more entertaining by incorporating some fun and light-hearted rules, like the “no turkey trot” rule where players must gobble like turkeys when they have the ball.
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6. Prizes for the Games
Add a competitive edge by offering small prizes for game winners. This will make the games even more exciting and give your friends a little extra incentive to participate.
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7. Mario Party or Mario Kart Station
Video games can be a hit at Friendsgiving, so set up a station where your friends can compete in games like Mario Party or Mario Kart. Create a mini-tournament with a bracket to see who the ultimate Mario champion is.
8. Thanksgiving Playlist
Create a Thanksgiving-themed playlist for some background ambience, especially if you don’t have karaoke. The right music can set the mood, including classic Thanksgiving songs and some of your friends’ favorite tunes.
9. Projector Movie Time
Set up a projector and screen for a movie night. Let your friends vote on a Thanksgiving-themed film to enjoy after dinner. Complement the movie with blankets and cushions for an ultimate cozy movie night experience.
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10. Best Dressed Contest
Encourage your friends to dress up in silly or dapper outfits and hold a contest. It’s all in good fun and adds a touch of humor to the event. You can even have a runway walk-off with judges to determine the most creative and stylish outfit.
11. Goodie Bags
Show your gratitude by preparing small goodie bags for your friends as a gesture of thanks for attending. Include a mix of small treats, personalized notes, and maybe a Friendsgiving-themed souvenir.
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12. Personalized Invitations
Craft a personalized invitation using Canva and send it through text. This adds a warm, personal touch and makes your friends feel extra special. You can also add a personal note to each invitation to express your excitement for their presence.
13. Polaroid Picture Station
Set up a station with a polaroid camera, so your friends can capture memories throughout the evening. Create a bulletin board where everyone can hang their polaroids, creating a visual timeline of the event.
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14. Use Paper Plates and Cups
Simplify cleanup by opting for disposable plates and cups. It may not be the most eco-friendly choice, but it will save you a lot of post-party hassle. Consider getting biodegradable or compostable options to reduce the environmental impact.
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15. The “Thankful Circle”
Create a heartwarming moment by having everyone in the room share at least one thing they’re grateful for. This is best done during dinner while everyone is chatting and enjoying their meal. Encourage your friends to reflect on the positive aspects of their lives and the joy of being together at Friendsgiving.
If you feel that there may be people who are uncomfortable sharing, try cards in a jar approach to be read out later by the host.
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With these creative ideas, your Friendsgiving celebration is sure to be a memorable and fun-filled event. It’s all about showing appreciation for your friends and creating lasting memories. So, gather your friends, and let the Friendsgiving festivities begin! Friendsgiving is a time to cherish the bonds you’ve formed and the moments you’ve shared. It’s about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where your friends can relax, connect, and express their gratitude. Whether you incorporate one or all of these ideas into your celebration, your Friendsgiving is sure to be a memorable and heartwarming event that your friends will look forward to each year.
Love Think Angel Posts? Here is a post I personally chose that I think you might enjoy: 10 Easy Fall Desserts for Friendsgiving
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