What is Friendsgiving and how do you Celebrate It?
Friendsgiving is a gathering of close friends to share the spirit of Thanksgiving. A shorter definition is “Thanksgiving for friends.” Friendsgiving is sometimes the only Thanksgiving celebration for people who live far away from relatives, or can’t make it home for the traditional holiday due to school, work, weather or health reasons.
What is Friendsgiving season?
We are currently in Friendsgiving season. Though the term 'Friendsgiving' seems to be everywhere, it's surprisingly new. Friendsgiving is a blend of friend and Thanksgiving, and it refers to a large meal eaten with friends either on or near Thanksgiving.
Is Friendsgiving becoming more popular?
Now, it's seemingly everywhere. (CNN) For many people in the US, the end of November is populated by two holidays: Thanksgiving, the family-oriented mainstay, and, increasingly, Friendsgiving. The unofficial holiday has been growing in popularity for the better part of a decade.
What is the difference between Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving?
Most Friendsgiving get-togethers usually occur on the Wednesday before or the Friday after Thanksgiving itself, but there’s no set rule except that it should occur in honor of the official holiday. Unlike Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving has far fewer rules and expectations.You might have a turkey, or you might not.
What happens at Friendsgiving?
Celebrating Thanksgiving with Your Friends: Friendsgiving That's where Friendsgiving comes in. This holiday lets you share a Thanksgiving meal with friends as a supplement to the traditional Thanksgiving feast.
Why do people say Friendgiving instead of Thanksgiving?
The most obvious difference between Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving is who you spend it with. While technically it's still a Thanksgiving celebration regardless of whether or not you're related to the others at the table, many choose to refer to a gathering of friends as “Friendsgiving”.
When should you have a Friendsgiving?
There isn't a strict set of guidelines, just as long as you and your dining companions are having a good time. It can be celebrated any day, any time of year, but most gatherings take place in November, particularly the weekend before Thanksgiving.
What should I bring to a Friendsgiving party?
What to Bring to Friendsgiving—Even if You Can't CookAn Impressive Cheese Board.The Sparkling Wine to Toast.The Dip Everyone Will Be Obsessed With.Your Go-To Festive Punch.Savory Bread that Beats Store-Bought.The Soup Warm-up Course.A Revamped Caprese Salad.A Hearty Vegan Side.More items...•
Is Friendsgiving a potluck?
To help you celebrate in a relaxed way, we've collected some of our favorite Friendsgiving potluck ideas. These Friendsgiving recipes are great for an informal potluck style get-together or a full spread.
What should I wear for Friendsgiving?
15 Friendsgiving Outfits That Are Chic, Cozy, and Feast-FriendlyBold florals are a year-round must. Eloquii. ... Don't shy away from this bold color combo. ... Statement earrings are a surefire way to make a splash at your Friendsgiving dinner. ... Try a snakeskin blouse with black pants. ... A cool sweater vest is another must.
How many people go to Friendsgiving?
More than half a million people have been invited to a Friendsgiving party this year, and searches for Friendsgiving ideas have tripled since 2015, according to Evite and Google Trends data. Why it matters: The traditional Thanksgiving celebration is changing.
How do I host the perfect Friendsgiving?
Start a New Tradition: How to Host an Amazing FriendsgivingScheduling Your Friendsgiving. Earlier in the month works well if you're also using it as a trial run for actual Thanksgiving. ... Planning Your Dishes. Friendsgiving was made for potluck. ... Setting the Scene. Make sure you have plenty of serving utensils and platters.
Where does the term Friendsgiving come from?
Despite what some might think, the term wasn't coined by Monica, Chandler or other members of the TV show “Friends.” Apparently, the word “Friendsgiving” was rarely seen online or elsewhere until 2011 when Bailey's Irish Cream used it in an advertising campaign.
Is Friendsgiving in the dictionary?
noun Informal. a gathering of friends to celebrate Thanksgiving with a feast, falling near or on Thanksgiving Day, in contrast to the traditional celebrations that typically involve family.
Is there a Friendsgiving for Christmas?
Celebrate among friends Just because you can't make it home for Christmas doesn't mean you have to have a blue Christmas. Why not host 'friendsmas? ' Similar to friendsgiving (The Thanksgiving version), this celebration is a gathering of friends and coworkers to enjoy food, drinks, and exchange gifts.
How many celebrate Friendsgiving?
With over 30% of Americans (and 40% of Gen Z and Millennials) celebrating “Friendsgiving,” brands will want to make their mark on this growing tradition.
What is a friendgiving?
Friendsgiving is a blend of friend and Thanksgiving, and it refers to a large meal eaten with friends either on or near Thanksgiving. People are serious about their Friendsgiving celebrations: there are how-tos, sample menus, rules, and even commandments for Friendsgiving.
What is the meaning of "friends" and "thanksgiving"?
What to Know. Friendsgiving is a mashup of the word “friend” and “thanksgiving” that refers to a large meal among friends eaten during the Thanksgiving season.
Is "friendsgiving" a word?
Friendsgiving seems to be a relatively recent word. The earliest print uses of it that we've found so far date back to 2007, where it shows up in Usenet posts and on Twitter to refer to this informal meal. (Several word detectives have found a personal online photo album called "2004 Friendsgiving," but after some sleuthing, we've determined that the album went online sometime in 2014, well after our earliest print use of Friendsgiving appears.) Given the fact that the word isn't explained in these posts and tweets, it's likely that Friendsgiving was floating around in spoken English for a bit before it showed up in written English—and this is pretty standard for new vocabulary.
When is Friendsgiving?
The ideal time for Friendsgiving is the weekend prior to the official Thanksgiving day (Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November). Why not the weekend after? Because your friends may still be traveling home from traditional family gatherings at that time. Also, you really DO NOT want to compete with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Why do people celebrate Thanksgiving with friends?
A shorter definition is “Thanksgiving for friends.” Friendsgiving is sometimes the only Thanksgiving celebration for people who live far away from relatives, or can’t make it home for the traditional holiday due to school, work, weather or health reasons . Some people choose to spend the holiday with friends instead of the family due to estranged relationships.
Can you use silverware for a Friendsgiving party?
If you and your friends prefer polished silverware and fine china, then do it! But most Friendsgiving parties are casual. Everyday dinnerware is acceptable and can set a less stuffy mood. A dinner table centerpiece is a nice touch (see my tradition idea below) but do not overdo the décor. This gathering is about enjoying each other’s company, not making the cover of Better Homes & Gardens.
Is it important to bring your own drink to a Friendsgiving party?
However, a bring-your-own-beverage invite isn’t out of line for a casual Friendsgiving party. You may want to base your decision on the number of invited guests, their drinking preferences and your budget.
When did Friendsgiving start?
The history of Friendsgiving, on the other hand, is a little fuzzy. We all remember those classic Friends episodes (the first in 1994 ) when the crew got together in the West Village instead of going their separate ways to feast with their families. (Unlike Joey and Monica, your Friendsgiving guests do not have to stick their heads in the bird.) It resurfaced on Twitter around 2007, and on Google in 2011, when Baileys Irish Cream dispatched an ad wishing everyone a “Happy Friendsgiving,” and when it became part of a plot in the “Gobblefellas” episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey.
What to do for Friendsgiving?
You can certainly freestyle your Friendsgiving, but we have some pointers on making it a success. Research festive thanksgiving or fall drinks and apps and have them ready when guests arrive—this’ll buy you time on any last-minute cooking or reheating, and kick things off on a fun note. Try a seasonal cocktail like spiked apple cider or mulled wine, or keep it simple with wine and beer so you don’t have to play bartender.
Who invented Friendsgiving?
The traditional Thanksgiving goes all the way back to 1863, when President Lincoln called for a day of thanksgiving and praise, giving families a reason to join together and celebrate. As people started getting married and having children later in life, it’s evolved to include friends, too.
What is Friendsgiving in Turkey Days?
Friendsgiving is basically Turkey Days’ fun younger sister. So, when is friendsgiving? Well, it’s a less formal version of the traditional Thanksgiving that you can host anytime in November (Thursday or not) and more than just family to feast with: Think friends, coworkers, or your book club. Turkey is optional; most Friendsgivings feature a fall-inspired meal so you’re not replicating the main event. You don’t have to stress over choosing between holiday party ideas or centerpieces, either. With a few candles and a festive playlist, you can make it like a laid-back apartment dinner party, with your pals seated on the couch or floor pillows rather than one big, long table.
What to do on Friday after Thanksgiving?
You could do a brunch-style party with sandwiches and slices of pie, or round out leftover turkey (thanks, Aunt Ellen!) with new sides and desserts.
What to do if your Thanksgiving dinner turns out like Clark Griswold's?
If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving meal or celebration for the first time this year and have fears that your turkey will turn out like Clark Griswold’s in Christmas Family Vacation, use Friendsgiving as a test-drive. It’s a low-stress way to do a dry run on your recipe, and you’ll have plenty of honest taste-testers to give feedback. Save time and energy by asking your attendees to bring sides, desserts, and drinks. (And if things go wrong, takeout is a quick fix.)
What is Friendsgiving?
In January 2020, the term “Friendsgiving” was officially added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. As you can see, the word was taken from the words “friends” and “Thanksgiving.” So, this popular term means spending Thanksgiving with your friends. Like Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving doesn’t have an official date.
The Importance of Friendsgiving
One of the benefits of celebrating Friendsgiving is that it allows you to spend time and connect with your friends. Remember, most of us have busy schedules, so we don’t have ample time to get together with friends on a regular basis. Fortunately, you can use this event to reconnect with your besties and reminisce about the past.
Final Thoughts
As presented, Friendsgiving is an important event in today’s culture. This is especially true because a lot of people have lesser interactions with their friends. As such, Friendsgiving is a great way to reconnect with your old buddies.
When was Friendsgiving first celebrated?
“The first Thanksgiving, in the fall of 1621 , was made up of the white English settlers of Plymouth Colony and their native neighbors, who outnumbered them by a lot.
What age do you come from for a Friendsgiving party?
Usually they come from people in their 20s and 30s , says Lizzie Post, the co-president of the institute and the eponymous etiquette authority’s great-great-granddaughter. The advice seekers are often anxious about exactly how to host a Friendsgiving party, a Thanksgiving-themed meal for their close friends. When, for example, is a Friendsgiving ...
What age do people ask about Friendsgiving?
Every year for the past five or so, the Emily Post Institute—long considered the leading authority on matters of manners and courtesy—fields at least one or two etiquette questions about “Friendsgiving.” Usually they come from people in their 20s and 30s, says Lizzie Post, the co-president of the institute and the eponymous etiquette authority’s great-great-granddaughter. The advice seekers are often anxious about exactly how to host a Friendsgiving party, a Thanksgiving-themed meal for their close friends.
What is the meaning of Thanksgiving in lithographs?
Lithographs from around that time, he points out, often depict people traveling home for Thanksgiving. “Given that the United States was a mobile society and people were moving and spreading out everywhere, Thanksgiving was a moment when people wished to reconstitute their families.”.
Is Friendsgiving a pricey event?
But for some, Friendsgiving is a pricey event unto itself. The preholiday holiday has become such a staple of some people’s lives that it’s become—much like family Thanksgiving—an event to travel to from out of town.
Is Friendsgiving a Thanksgiving holiday?
Post and others I spoke to for this story agree that Friendsgiving seems to have evolved in recent years from a sort of ad hoc Thanksgiving replacement (implemented when people found themselves far away from family on the holiday but near friends) to a common in-addition-to-Thanksgiving event, one that’s exclusively for friends. In other words, Friendsgiving has become a widely celebrated American holiday in its own right— and while it’s hard to know in real time what cultural shifts or forces have led to the rise of Friendsgiving, there are a few compelling theories as to why you may be seeing the term pop up again and again in Venmo transactions this week.
Is Thanksgiving about gift giving?
It’s not about gift-giving, it’s not about spending a lot of money. A lot of it should be homemade and improvisational. Whereas Christmas is, well, you know, this bonanza of commerce,” he says. Thanksgiving has managed to hang on to its original ideals: hospitality, generosity, inclusion.
What is Friendsgiving but a Fantastic New Tradition?
As you can see, Friendsgiving is a really great way to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday without all the hassle. It’s also a good way to include people who don’t have family nearby, don’t have family, or who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. Besides, getting your friends together for a memorable and fun night is always a good reason to throw a party!
How to be a good host for Friendsgiving?
As a good host, you should send out invitations well in advance and make sure to delegate tasks with enough time for your guests to make accommodations.
Who's bringing what?
Who’s bringing what? It may be helpful to create a shared document so that everyone has the most current information about the event. Remember to include plates, serving ware, decorations, and any other special requests on this list.
Why Friendsgiving began to take off
Part of the holiday's rise, Amy Adamczyk, a sociologist and professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, speculated, may have to do with changing economics going back to 2007.
Friendsgiving is a chance to reinvent a major holiday
Meghana Srikrishna, 25, a master's student at George Washington University, has done an annual Friendsgiving dinner with friends from high school since 2015.
Friendsgiving has become a tradition for many
Sara Thompson, a 46-year-old lawyer in Atlanta, is on her 13th straight year of hosting a Friendsgiving, an event that initially began as a way to test out dishes for her law firm's potluck. Now, friends tell her how excited they are for the annual tradition as early as July.
How It Got Started
When Is Friendsgiving?
- The ideal time for Friendsgiving is the weekend prior to the official Thanksgiving day (Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November). Why not the weekend after? Because your friends may still be traveling home from traditional family gatherings at that time. Also, you really DO NOT want to compete with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Elegant Or Casual?
- If you and your friends prefer polished silverware and fine china, then do it! But most Friendsgiving parties are casual. Everyday dinnerware is acceptable and can set a less stuffy mood. A dinner table centerpiece is a nice touch (see my tradition idea below) but do not overdo the décor. This gathering is about enjoying each other’s company, not making the cover of Better Homes & Gar…
Feeding The Foodies
- The Friendsgiving host shouldn’t be burdened with making the entire meal, especially if the menu is turkey and all the trimmings. Assign a dish for each guest/couple to bring, or share a sign-up sheet to ensure there is a variety of food. This allows everyone to show off their cooking skills and bring foods that fit any dietary restrictions they may have. It’s very important for the host to have …
Create Friendsgiving Traditions
- Friendsgiving is a new way to celebrate our blessings. Add a special touch by creating your own annual traditions. Here are a few ideas: 1. Vote on everyone’s favorite dish and award a traveling trophy to the winner 2. Have guests take turns creating the annual DIY dinner table centerpiece 3. Customize a Friendsgiving favorfor each guest to take ho...