A Cozy Friendsgiving Dinner Party with Easy Recipes, Crafts & Take-Home Gifts
I hosted my first official Friendsgiving this year, and… it might be one of my new favorite traditions. What makes it extra special is knowing that this little group of friends began back in February at a Galentine’s party, a table full of my friends who didn’t know each other at the time. Fast-forward nine months and we’ve gone from kind of strangers to real friends. Making new friends in your 40s isn’t always easy, which is why hosting Friendsgiving felt extra sweet this year.
If you’re planning your own fall themed dinner party or looking for inspiration for hosting Friendsgiving, here’s everything I did! You’ll see everything from the Friendsgiving food to the DIY Thanksgiving table setup, simple activities, and thoughtful take-home gifts.
The Food: A Team Effort Filled with Friendsgiving Dishes Everyone Loved
One of the best parts of Friendsgiving is that it doesn’t have to be stressful. I had everyone bring a dish, which made the meal feel communal, relaxed, and full of personality. If you need Friendsgiving food ideas, here’s exactly what we served:
- Bright corn salad
- Sweet potato fries with hummus
- Harvest pear and pecan salad
- Caryn’s famous family jello recipe
- A trio of pies from Pie Bird Bake Shop (Pecan, Apple & Pumpkin)
- HoneyBaked ham and turkey (the easiest protein ever and always so good)
- Classic green bean casserole (add cheese, trust me)
- Stuffing and mashed potatoes (Ally crushed it!)
The drink of the night might’ve been my favorite part: chilled Prosecco poured over frozen ice cubes filled with cranberries, orange slices, and herbs. It looked beautiful in the glass and felt so festive for a fall themed dinner party.
Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 10.5oz cans Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 8 cups cooked cut green beans
- 2.5 cups dried French's French Fried Onions
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Fold in the soup, milk, soy sauce, beans and 2/3 cup onions into a casserole dish. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 25 minutes, and stir.
- Sprinkle the remaining onions and add the cheese to the top and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown.
The Table: A Simple DIY Thanksgiving Table Setup with Candles & Flowers
For the table, I kept things cozy and warm, the way Friendsgiving should feel. I mixed taper candles of different heights and a neutral flower arrangement down the center. Everything came straight from Trader Joe’s, which makes this super accessible if you’re planning a DIY Thanksgiving table setup on a budget.
At each place setting, I added a tiny pumpkin with a handwritten name tag. Such an easy detail, but it instantly makes the table feel personal and intentional.
By the time everyone sat down, the flowers and candles made it almost impossible to see across the table… but the glow and ambiance were worth it. Sometimes cozy > practical, especially when you’re hosting Friendsgiving.
Everything I used for Friendsgiving:
The Craft: A Cute Idea (That Made Us Laugh)
I love adding a little activity to my parties, and this year I tried something new: painting wooden hairbrushes and decorating claw clips. In my head, this was an adorable, crafty moment. In reality… let’s just say none of us will be selling our designs anytime soon. But it made us laugh, and in the end, that’s what matters.
If you want a super simple Friendsgiving craft idea, this one is low-stress, beginner-friendly, and great for teens or women’s gatherings too.
Need help with your hosting? Here’s my free hosting checklist!
Take-Home Gifts: The Sweetest Finishing Touch
I never like letting guests leave empty-handed, especially for a fall themed dinner party or holiday gathering. For leftovers, I packed each friend a little foil cupcake pan with six sections…the perfect mini “to-go box” for Friendsgiving dishes.
Their actual gift was my favorite part: an advent calendar box they could open on December 1st… or whenever they wanted. No rules. It felt like such a simple way to give these women something fun just for themselves in a season where they’re usually doing so much for everyone else.
The Best Part: Why Hosting Friendsgiving Matters
We ate too much, laughed too long, and stayed at the table until every candle burned down. Nights like this make me so grateful for this little community of women who once didn’t know each other and now feel like lifelong friends. And if you need some background music, I’ve got you covered! Hope you like Taylor…
This cozy Friendsgiving was simple, heartfelt, and full of warmth. And I already can’t wait to host again next year.
Are you hosting Friendsgiving this year? Let me know!
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