Friendsgiving Weekend?

- Celebrate the "Thanksgiving Celebration of Chosen Connection" (Even for those who don't celebrate Thanksgiving!)

Have you ever heard of Friendsgiving? Or you have been celebrating it?

Would be cool to know!

If you haven’t heard about it, you are not alone. It is a relatively new addition to mainstream language.

In fact, it started appearing in print early this millennium, and made its way into Merriam-Webster only 5 years ago in 2020, which defined it as:

“A Thanksgiving celebration with one’s friends rather than with one’s family.”

Friends gathering around the holidays is not new, of course. But the fact that this activity has a formal name now represents a trend worth celebrating.

You know what I love about Friendsgiving? It feels like Thanksgiving without the pressure.

No long drives across states, no family politics at the dinner table, no expectation to put on a perfect spread.

Just friends, food, and laughter.

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It’s a “holiday” that grew almost accidentally - people gathering before or after the “official” Thanksgiving to share a meal with their chosen group.

But over time, it’s become something bigger: A ritual of belonging, especially for those who don’t have family nearby or who want to celebrate in a way that feels lighter, freer, and more joyful.

Compared to the “official” celebration, this new “side-kick” has developed its own unique style:

Connection first: The focus isn’t on tradition or obligation, it’s on being together.

Shared responsibility: Potluck style is the norm. Everyone brings a dish, so no one carries the whole weight of preparation.

Inclusivity: Friendsgiving makes space for people who might feel left out of family gatherings. It says: you belong here.

Hey, it is even for those who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving!

Flexibility: No fixed date, no rigid rules. It adapts to the group, which makes it easier to emphasize connection over performance.

Although no fixed date is attached to Friendsgiving, I see that this weekend, or the next, is a great time for it, isn’t it?

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Here’s the beautiful part: Friendsgiving doesn’t emphasize consumption. No elaborate large feast, nor frantic buying spree the next morning….

It doesn’t erase material enjoyment either, but reframes it.

The food is still central, but because everyone contributes, it becomes a symbol of care rather than excess.

That casserole isn’t just a dish; it’s someone’s effort, someone’s story, someone’s way of saying “I’m glad to be here.”

Instead of one person stretching their budget to host, the table becomes a collective creation. Abundance comes from sharing, not from spending.

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Other activities that make Friendsgiving shine include:

Storytelling with dishes: Ask each person to share why they chose their dish. Suddenly, the food carries meaning.

Gratitude circle: Before eating, take a moment to name one thing you’re thankful for in the group.

Simple décor: A few candles, a playlist, maybe a handwritten note at each seat. Connection doesn’t need extravagance.

Memory-making: Capture a group photo, write down funny quotes, or start a tradition unique to your circle.

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Friendsgiving is more than a meal. It’s a cultural prototype. It shows us that holidays don’t have to be weighed down by consumption or obligation. They can be reimagined around connection, sufficiency, and joy.

In a season that often shouts “more, more, more,” Friendsgiving whispers something different: Enough is plenty when it’s shared.

So if you’re gathering with friends this year, remember: The feast is temporary, but the circle endures.

Eager to hear your story of Friendsgiving!

Friendsgiving isn’t about replacing Thanksgiving. It’s about reminding us that connection is the real celebration.

And of course, the main theme of Thanksgiving holds dear in Friendsgiving - Gratitude: Don’t forget to be grateful for the friendships, and the friends!

Happy Friendsgiving Everyone!