How to Host a Fabulous Friendsgiving

Ideas and Tips for Planning the Perfect Potluck

Last Updated August 5, 2026

Is it your year to host your group's Friendsgiving? SignUp's got you covered — here is everything you need to throw an amazing celebration they'll be talking about long after the holiday season.

What Is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving is a more informal Thanksgiving celebration for friends rather than family — usually held on the Wednesday before or the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. But because of the casual nature of the day, there's no strict rulebook. Want to host Friendsgiving weeks before Thanksgiving? Go for it!

How to Plan Friendsgiving

• Make it a brunch, lunch, or dinner. Don't cook or don't want to? Have everyone pick up their favorite takeout and share a big family-style meal — a cornucopia of flavors to relish.
• Keep it simple. Grab your Thanksgiving leftovers, some fun holiday movies, and head over to your bestie's house for a relaxing day of togetherness.
• Use a SignUp for potluck coordination. With just a few clicks, organize who is bringing what, send automatic reminders, and keep track of the menu — so you can actually enjoy Friendsgiving. Add slots for setup and cleanup volunteers so you're not doing it all yourself.

What to Serve at Friendsgiving

• Mix it up: Avoid turkey burnout by choosing a different theme for your Friendsgiving meal — Asian-inspired, Italian, farm-to-table — or a different main dish (pork belly, Prime Rib, or tofu for your vegetarian friends). A fun idea: choose a cookbook and have everyone pick a recipe to make from it.
• Plan for dietary needs: Remember your friends with allergies and dietary restrictions. Ask guests to fill out a food allergy tag for each dish they bring when they arrive.
• Don't forget the drinks and apps: Tell guests to bring wine or their favorite drinks, and be sure to include snacks and appetizers on the SignUp in case dinner gets delayed.

Friendsgiving Games and Activities

• DJ Duty: Ask for a volunteer or assign a guest as the DJ — or ask everyone to add their favorite nostalgic song to a shared playlist before arriving. Reading the vibe as guests mingle is half the fun.
• Movie Marathon: Play all the Star Wars or Fast and Furious movies, or ask guests to bring their favorite holiday film to put in the queue.
• Friendsgiving Bingo: Check out SignUp's printable Bingo cards for a playful twist on a classic game.
• Thankful Jar: Spray paint some small rocks and have guests write what they're thankful for with a permanent marker. Read them aloud before the meal — it sets a warm, intentional tone for the gathering.
• Photo Booth: Set up a fun photo station with props and come up with a hashtag so everyone can share on social media.
• Board Game Afternoon: Have friends bring their favorite board games and host a game day after the meal. Giant Jenga (made from 2x4s cut to uniform length) is always a crowd favorite.
• Mystery Dish Challenge: One guest brings a dish with a secret surprise ingredient and everyone has to guess what it is before the big reveal. Think chili with dark chocolate, soup with a hint of espresso, or cookies with a twist. A fun way to spark conversation around the table.
• Friendsgiving Cookbook Compilation: After the event, collect all the recipes your friends brought into a shared digital cookbook (Google Doc, Canva, or a free recipe app). Share it with the group as a Friendsgiving keepsake — and a practical guide for next year's menu.
• Gratitude Circle: Before diving into food, take 3-5 minutes for a simple gratitude circle where each person shares one thing they're genuinely thankful for. It doesn't have to be serious — "I'm thankful for whoever invented stretchy pants" counts. It sets a joyful, intentional tone for the whole gathering.

Tips for Friendsgiving with Kids

• Schedule Friendsgiving for lunch or an early dinner when kids are involved, since bedtimes come into play. Or hire a high school or college-age babysitter so the adults can relax.
• Plan kid-friendly snacks and foods: chicken nuggets, chips, ham and cheese roll-ups, mini corn dogs, cheese and crackers, popcorn, cookies, and brownies alongside the more grown-up selections.
• Ask parents to bring age-appropriate toys to share. Label everything so it goes home with the right person.
• Printable coloring place mats are a lifesaver — they give kids a fun activity that keeps them happily busy while adults catch up.

Looking for more ideas? See our Potluck Planning Center for SignUp sheets, event reminders, and checklists to ensure your Friendsgiving runs smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Friendsgiving and how do I host one?

A: Friendsgiving is a Thanksgiving-inspired celebration for friends, typically held the Wednesday before or Friday after Thanksgiving. To host one, decide on your format (potluck, themed dinner, or takeout feast), use a free SignUp to coordinate who's bringing what, plan some activities, and don't forget setup and cleanup volunteers. The most important ingredient is a warm, relaxed vibe.

Q: What are good Friendsgiving activities and games?

A: Great Friendsgiving activities include Friendsgiving Bingo, a Thankful Jar (write gratitudes on rocks), a photo booth with props, a Mystery Dish Challenge, a collaborative playlist, Giant Jenga, board games, and a post-dinner Gratitude Circle. A Friendsgiving Cookbook Compilation — collecting everyone's recipes after the event — makes a thoughtful keepsake.

Q: How do I use SignUp to organize Friendsgiving?

A: Create a free potluck SignUp with slots for each dish category (appetizers, mains, sides, desserts, drinks), setup and cleanup volunteers, and any supplies guests should bring. Share the link by text or email — guests sign up from any device, no password needed. Auto-reminders ensure no one forgets their assignment.

About the Author

Tara McAdams

Digital Marketing Manager, Content Strategist & Creator

Tara leads content strategy at SignUp and creates a variety of resources on a wide range of topics – including lifestyle trends, parent tips, prep for holidays, volunteer management, and event planning. More about Tara →