Friendsgiving: What is it and What do you Eat?

What Do You Eat at a Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving was invented as a chance to enjoy a light social environment without the heavy stressful burdens of tradition.  

However, as the name suggests, an underlying Thanksgiving theme is usually at the heart of each gathering. While there is not the strict structure of a traditional turkey meal, creative Thanksgiving-inspired food and themes are fun to incorporate.  

Here we have you covered with a list of the best Friendsgiving food ideas that blend Thanksgiving tradition with millennial culinary efficiency and creativity.  

Keep it Simple with a Potluck

If you are the type of person who enjoys making a plan and putting it in action, Friendsgiving is an event where you can shine bright. It could also be the case that you are the only one of your friend group capable of planning anything, so keep it simple to avoid any holiday resentment from building. 

We highly recommend delegating a potluck-style dinner among friends or crafting a simple food plan that won’t take too much time or effort. Come up with a list of appetizers, mains, and desserts that are easy to prepare.

If you need some Friendsgiving potluck inspiration, here is a short list of creative and efficient ideas that are creative enough to call hip but traditional enough to support the theme. 

If your friends need some extra guidance and structure and you’re willing to take on the brunt of the organization, consider starting a Friendsgiving registry where friends can claim a food idea and run with it. 

Use a Crockpot

Cooking technology was invented for a reason, so time to break tradition and use it accordingly. Using a crockpot to prepare a feast is convenient, clean, and delicious. 

Even though we miss out on having the full turkey bird on display at the center of the table, we save ourselves the stress of serving it dry and chalky. Cooking turkey, chicken, or other meats in a crockpot ensures that the dish will remain moist and tender. The time normally spent checking and rechecking the tenderness of the meat while cooking in the oven can be used to cook those delicious sides or order them in. There’s nothing wrong with smart cooking. 

Delivery Friendsgiving

The idea of ordering in a Thanksgiving feast might get some eye rolls from the more traditional crowd, but that’s precisely why Friendsgiving became a thing. It breaks tradition and instead focuses on a stress-free approach. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and get a smorgasbord of creative thanksgiving food delivered right to your doorstep.  

Don’t Make it Stressful

There is plenty of room at Friendsgiving for creatively themed food ideas, but be sure not to stray too far away from the central theme. Friendsgiving should be a stress-free version of the traditional family Thanksgiving. It can incorporate similar themes, but they shouldn’t bind it. It’s a time to celebrate being together with friends and loved ones, breaking free of tradition, and doing what feels fun. No more nightmares of a dry turkey or a tasteless pumpkin pie. Focus on enjoying more time with friends and less time toiling away in the kitchen.