Friendsgiving Food Ideas

Friendsgiving is a relatively new holiday that dates back to about 2007. The idea of celebrating with friends rather than family is said to be popularized by the television show Friends. Although the holiday didn't start taking off until a few years after the end of the show. 

This holiday celebrates your found family in a way that Thanksgiving doesn't. Where Thanksgiving can be a bit draining, Friendsgiving is much more relaxed. There is no need to deal with stressful family members and hosting is usually much easier. Instead of one person preparing the majority of the meal, Friendsgiving is often celebrated as a potluck. 

Many people still celebrate both Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving. Because of this, Friendsgiving is typically celebrated sometime before Thanksgiving. Since there is no set date for the holiday, friend groups can celebrate whenever it works best for them. 

A common question regarding Friendsgiving is "what should I bring?" Since this holiday is often celebrated as a potluck, it is customary that each guest brings a dish to pass. The first thing you need to consider is what dishes your friends will be bringing. Oftentimes, the host will dole out responsibilities to ensure you do not end up with five bowls of Mac and Cheese. Consider making a group chat with all the invitees where you can discuss which dishes are covered and which will still need to be made. 

So what dishes do you need to have at a Friendsgiving dinner? This is up to you but most people treat this dinner in the same way they would Thanksgiving. Here's a list of the most common dishes to bring to a Thanksgiving party.

• Mashed Potatoes
• Green Bean Casserole
• Creamed Corn
• Dinner Rolls
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Cranberry Sauce
• Pumpkin Pie 

Turkey is one of the most important pieces to a Friendsgiving dinner, but if that seems a little daunting to you, you can go for a turkey breast, roast chicken, or another main course entirely.

It is typically the responsibility of the host to make the turkey and gravy.

Appetizers are necessary for any dinner party, but they don't have to be difficult! You may want to go a little more casual for your Friendsgiving or you may want to be a bit more formal. Either way, there are tons of simple recipes to get your party started off on the right foot.

For many people, the sides make the meal. A number of delicious side dishes can really add something special to your meal.

There are so many classic Thanksgiving side dishes you could choose from or you can go the nontraditional route and chose something a bit more unique to bring to your Friendsgiving meal.

You can't have a Friendsgiving celebration without some tasty after-dinner treats to end the night. These desserts are super easy to make and will have your guests begging for seconds. 

Okay, so it's possible Friendsgiving may just be an excuse to get together and drink with your friends (no judgment here). If that's true, you better have some delicious cocktails prepared for your guests. 

If you and your guests aren't planning on having alcohol at your dinner party, you are still going to need a few yummy drink options. In either case, check out this list of some of our favorite fall cocktails and mocktails!