If Thanksgiving is a cook’s holiday, then Friendsgiving is for the hosts. It’s a gathering centered around community and offers every guest the chance to contribute, whether it’s a dish or a drink, a centerpiece or a playlist. Here, we’ve gathered the best of our kitchen wisdom to answer your pressing alt–Turkey Day questions, shared decor picks fit for a feast, and, of course, put together a menu that delivers on classic flavors while leaving elbow room for potluck dishes too. It’s a dinner party everyone will be grateful for.
The Menu
Drinks for a crowd
A make-ahead app
Creamy and bright with just a subtle bit of heat, this five-ingredient, make-ahead dip is ready for company—just add crudités.
Fresh and crunchy salad
Subtly sweet and extra crunchy Asian pears star in this bright salad you’ll want alongside every rich and meaty dish you’re serving this holiday season.
An all-in-one main dish
These tender turkey meatballs swimming in gravy are ready to be served up with mashed potatoes and sweet-tart cranberry jam.
Potatoes, of course
A good garlic mashed potato recipe can upstage even the flashiest of mains. Adding just a few cloves of garlic turns what could be a simple side dish into something with undeniable charm.
A sweet finish
Everything good about the classic dessert with the warming notes of a pumpkin spice latte.
Setting the Scene
Putting as much thought into the vibes as you do the food ensures your guests—friends, family, and plus-ones alike—all feel welcome at your table. —Emily Farris, senior commerce writer
Photograph by Andrew B. Myers, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness
Better Folding Chairs
For the regular holiday host, folding chairs are the most sensible solution for flexing to fit as many guests as you want to invite, and great news, the options are sturdier, and more stylish, than ever. Chairs with solid wood frames like Crate & Barrel’s Petrie Folding Chair and All Modern’s Dan Rattan Folding Chair cost more than metal or plastic, but they’re practical investment pieces you’ll pull out for dinner parties and game nights for years to come.
Petrie Black Ash Wood Folding Dining Side Chair
Dan Rattan Folding Chairs
Assigned Seats
Practically speaking, assigned seating guarantees you have a clear path to the kitchen. But the real magic comes from strategically arranging guests to spark conversations. Plus, what’s more welcoming than cozying up to a spot that’s been set just for you? Decorative place card holders like The Object Enthusiast’s Arch Name Holders paired with luxe Golden Hour Place Cards from Dear Annabelle are an easy way to make your holiday table feel more festive, but a simple folded paper tent works too. Either way, if you’re hoping to turn strangers into friends, do everyone a favor and write names on both sides of the card.
The Object Enthusiast Name Holder
Dear Annabelle Golden Hour Place Cards
Less-Is-More Lighting
Nothing sets—or ruins—dinner party ambiance quite like lighting, and if you want your home to feel more like a cozy wine bar than a Wendy’s, you’re going to need to step away from the light switch. Instead, layer a few softer light sources throughout your space, like West Elm’s Ribbed Amber Glass Table Lamp and some taper candles. If you absolutely must use the ceiling light, swap out standard bulbs for smart LEDs you can program to various colors and tones. To easily switch between clear task lighting and glowy dinner party lighting, try Ecosmart’s Clear Color Changing Smart Bulbs, which allow you to adjust the temperature and brightness with an app or your smart home device.
Ecosmart Clear Color-Changing LED Bulb with Voice Control
The Test Kitchen Hotline: Friendsgiving Edition
Our expert advice on how to turn Friendsgiving dreams into reality.
Q: I can’t wait to throw Friendsgiving for the first time this year. Any words of wisdom to share?
A: It might seem like a lot, but you really can pull off a festive and fun gathering, I promise. The thing that people want the most is to hang out with each other, and as long as you’re creating a space for that to happen, the food is kind of secondary. —Kendra Vaculin
Have two kinds of water, like still and sparkling water, because nothing floors guests more than when you offer them a choice. It already feels fancy. —Shilpa Uskokovic
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