Friendsgiving

🦃 Friendsgiving — a young but wonderfully heartfelt tradition that emerged in the early 2000s among millennials who couldn’t make it home for Thanksgiving! The term first appeared on Urban Dictionary in 2007 and gained real traction after a Baileys campaign in 2011. Unlike a formal family dinner, Friendsgiving is a relaxed celebration with your chosen family of friends: everyone brings a favorite dish, there are no strict etiquette rules, and you can skip the awkward chats with distant relatives. Fun fact: surveys show that 68% of millennials prefer Friendsgiving to the traditional family holiday!

Gift ideas and ways to contribute: Instead of traditional gifts, it’s customary to bring something for the shared table or the hosts. Great options: a bottle of good wine or craft cider with autumn notes, homemade baked goods in a pretty baking dish (that you leave with the hosts), a set of board games for the evening, stylish serving ware, or an autumn bouquet/centerpiece. Create a “gratitude jar” — a decorated container with notes where each guest writes what they’re thankful for. Practical gifts: an apron with a funny friendship quote, a comfort-food cookbook, or a spice set for fall dishes.

How to host the perfect Friendsgiving: Make it truly collaborative — set up a shared sign-up doc so friends can claim what they’ll bring (golden rule: no duplicates, except desserts!). Set a “cozy chic” dress code — nice sweaters, soft scarves, no uncomfortable shoes. Create a photo corner with fall decor and cheeky friendship signs. Run a “Secret Turkey” exchange (a Secret Santa variant) with a $20 budget. A must-do ritual: a gratitude circle where everyone shares what they appreciate this year. And remember: if the turkey burns, ordering pizza is absolutely Friendsgiving-approved — your friends will understand!