Friendsgiving 101 - The Ultimate Guide to Gifts, Games, and Gratitude

Friendsgiving 101: The Ultimate Guide to Gifts, Games, and Gratitude

There’s Thanksgiving with family, and then there’s Friendsgiving: the potluck-powered, chosen-family holiday where the rules are flexible, the laughter is loud, and you don’t have to explain your job to your great-aunt for the fifth time. It’s a modern tradition built on the simple idea that our friends are the family we choose.

But as our Friendsgivings evolve from mismatched chairs in a tiny apartment to a full-blown annual event, the planning can get a little more complex. How do you make it feel special without adding a ton of stress? How do you move beyond just coordinating who brings the mashed potatoes?

Welcome to Friendsgiving 101. This is your ultimate playbook for hosting (or being the best guest at) a celebration that’s packed with connection and good vibes. We’re breaking down the three G’s that will take your gathering to the next level: Gifts, Games, and Gratitude.

Part 1: The Gifts (Keep it Simple & Sweet)

Friendsgiving gift-giving isn’t about expensive presents; it’s about small, thoughtful tokens of appreciation. The goal is to show you care, not to add financial stress to an already expensive season.

For the Hero of the Day: The Host

First and foremost, never show up empty-handed. The host has done the heavy lifting, and they deserve a little something special that isn’t just another bottle of wine to deal with.

The best Friendsgiving host gift is one that helps them relax after the chaos is over. Think a curated “Morning After” Breakfast Basket with gourmet coffee and pancake mix, or a “Post-Dinner De-Stress Kit” with a nice candle and luxe hand cream. For a full list of brilliant, non-wine options, you need to check out our complete guide: 15 Thoughtful Thanksgiving Host Gifts (That Aren’t a Bottle of Wine).

For the Guests: Optional (But Awesome) Party Favors

Want to add a memorable touch as a host? A small party favor is a sweet gesture that makes everyone feel appreciated.

• A “Leftover Kit” To-Go Box: Get some nice to-go boxes and create custom stickers that say “Friendsgiving 2025” or “You’ve Been Stuffed!”
• A Single-Serving Mulled Spice Pouch: Tie cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves in a small muslin bag with a tag that has mulling instructions.
• A Personalized Place Setting Gift: This is where you can get really creative. Find a tiny, personal trinket for each guest. A fun way to do this is by theme. Why not get each person a small crystal or an enamel pin based on their zodiac sign? Our Ultimate Zodiac Gift Guide can give you tons of ideas for every sign at your table.

Part 2: The Games (Break the Ice & Make Memories)

Once the food coma starts to set in, a good game can re-energize the room and create some hilarious memories. Skip the boring board games and try one of these crowd-pleasers.

Icebreakers & Chill Games

• Two Roses and a Thorn: A gratitude-focused twist on the classic “Two Truths and a Lie.” Each person shares two amazing things that happened to them this year (roses) and one challenge (the thorn). Guests then guess which one was the challenge. It’s a beautiful way to get to know each other on a deeper level.
• “Who’s Most Likely To…”: This game is all about friendly call-outs. One person reads a prompt like, “…be the first to fall asleep on the couch?” or “…win a pie-eating contest?” and everyone points to who they think fits the bill.
• Collaborative Playlist Creation: Create a public Spotify or Apple Music playlist and name it “Friendsgiving 2025.” Share the link and have every guest add a song that they’re grateful for or that defines their year.

Active & Energetic Games

• Thanksgiving “Minute to Win It”: Set up a few hilarious 60-second challenges. Ideas include stacking mini pumpkins, moving candy corn from one bowl to another using only a straw, or trying to roll a cranberry across the floor to a finish line using only your nose.
• Heads Up! on a Phone: This app-based game is a guaranteed laugh. One person holds a phone to their forehead while the screen displays a word. The rest of the team has to give clues to help them guess what it is.
• The Turkey Waddle Relay: If you have outdoor space (and a group with a great sense of humor), this is legendary. Divide into teams and have a relay race where you have to waddle with a small pumpkin held between your knees.

Part 3: The Gratitude (Make it Meaningful, Not Awkward)

The “go around the table and say what you’re thankful for” tradition can sometimes feel like a high-pressure performance. Here are a few modern, low-stress Friendsgiving ideas for sharing gratitude that feel more authentic.

• The Gratitude Jar: Set out a nice jar with small slips of paper and pens. Throughout the party, guests can anonymously write down things they’re grateful for. At the end of the night, the host can read them aloud (or save them to read later for a private pick-me-up).
• A Thankful Tree or Garland: Find a small branch from your yard and place it in a vase. Provide paper leaves and string so guests can write a note of thanks and hang it on the “tree.” Alternatively, hang a long piece of twine on the wall with clothespins for a gratitude “bunting.” It doubles as evolving decor!
• The “Toast Train”: This is a heartfelt and engaging way to show appreciation for each other. One person starts by raising a glass and giving a short, specific toast to another guest at the table. After that person says thanks, it’s their turn to toast someone else. The train continues until everyone has been toasted.
• A Polaroid Guest Book: Set up a station with an instant camera (like a Fuji Instax) and a blank journal. Ask each guest to snap a photo, tape it into the book, and write a small memory or note of thanks next to it. It’s a beautiful, tangible keepsake the host will treasure forever.

Ultimately, Friendsgiving is a celebration of connection. It’s a reminder that even when life gets chaotic, there are people who will show up for you, turkey and all. By putting a little thought into the gifts, games, and moments of gratitude, you’re not just hosting a dinner—you’re creating a tradition that everyone will look forward to year after year.

What are your can’t-miss Friendsgiving traditions? Share them in the comments below!