How to Host Friendsgiving: A Stress-Free Checklist and Invitation Timeline

To host Friendsgiving without stress, send invitations two to three weeks ahead, plan the menu as a potluck around one main dish, shop and prep in stages during the final week, and keep the day itself for cooking the main dish and enjoying your guests. Here is a week-by-week plan you can follow.

Friendsgiving vs Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is usually a family meal on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States (the second Monday of October in Canada). Friendsgiving is a relaxed version with friends, often on a nearby weekend and often potluck style. The planning steps are almost the same.

3 weeks before: invitations

• Pick the date and time, and decide on potluck or host-cooked.
• Send invitations with the date, time, address, RSVP deadline and potluck note.
• Ask about allergies and dietary needs in the invite.

2 weeks before: the menu

1. Choose your main dish (turkey, roast chicken or a vegetarian centerpiece).
2. Make a potluck list: two sides, a salad, bread, one or two desserts and drinks.
3. Assign or let guests claim dishes so you do not end up with five pies.

1 week before: shopping and supplies

• Write a grocery list by store section. A weekly meal planner with a grocery list keeps everything on one page.
• Check chairs, plates, serving spoons and containers for leftovers.
• Plan one easy game or activity for after dinner.

2 to 3 days before

• If you are roasting a frozen turkey, allow time to thaw it safely in the fridge (roughly one day for every 4 to 5 pounds).
• Make cranberry sauce, pie dough and anything that keeps.
• Send a friendly reminder message with the address and parking tips.

The day before

• Set the table, chill drinks and clear fridge space for guests’ dishes.
• Prep vegetables and make-ahead sides.
• Write a simple cooking timeline for the day, working back from dinner time.

On the day

• Cook the main dish and let guests’ dishes fill in the rest.
• Label the potluck table with little cards so everyone knows what is what.
• Take a photo of everyone at the table. That is the part you will remember.

What to write on a Friendsgiving invitation

Keep it short: “Join us for Friendsgiving! Saturday, November 21 at 5:00 pm, 123 Maple Street. Bring a side or a dessert to share. RSVP by November 14.” Our editable Canva invitation templates include all of these fields, in both print and phone sizes, and work with a free Canva account.

Related reading

• 15 Thanksgiving activities for kids
• Friendsgiving games for adults

Printables for this: Thanksgiving & Friendsgiving editable invitation templates and Friendsgiving Guess the Guest game (instant download on Etsy).

Helpful resource: PBS KIDS for Parents: simple family-friendly Thanksgiving traditions.