Some holiday traditions have been around for generations. Friendsgiving gives you the chance to start a few of your own. Maybe it’s the dish someone brings every year, the game that comes out after dinner, or the group photo that gets a little more crowded each time. What starts as a fun idea this year could become the thing everyone looks forward to next year.
Bring a Dish with a Story
Instead of assigning the usual sides, ask everyone to bring something that means something to them. It could be a family recipe, a childhood favorite, a dish that reflects their heritage or simply the one thing they make really well. You’ll get a more interesting table and probably a few good stories along with it.
Start a Signature Dish
Give your Friendsgiving a dish of its own. Put your own spin on a side, dessert, or drink and bring it back year after year. Give it a name only your group would understand, and before long, Friendsgiving might not feel complete without it.
Crown a Friendsgiving Favorite
At the end of dinner, have everyone vote for the dish they want to see again next year. The winner earns a permanent spot on your Friendsgiving menu. After a few years, you may end up with a lineup that’s completely your own.
Save Something from the Year
Put out a few cards and have everyone jot down a favorite memory, funny moment or highlight from the past year. Keep them in an envelope and bring them back out at next year’s Friendsgiving. It only takes a few minutes, but it gets better every year.
Take the Same Photo Every Year
Pick a spot, squeeze everyone in and snap a group photo before someone heads home. Don’t
worry about making it perfect. Seeing how the group changes—and grows—may end up being
the best part.
Send Everyone Home with a Little Friendsgiving
Have guests bring reusable containers or set a few out before dinner. Divide up the turkey, stuffing and pie at the end of the night so everyone leaves with a mix of favorites. Leftovers become part of the tradition, too.
