If Thanksgiving is a cookâs holiday, then Friendsgiving is for the hosts. Itâs a gathering centered around community and offers every guest the chance to contribute, whether itâs a dish or a drink, a centerpiece or a playlist. Here, weâve gathered the best of our kitchen wisdom to answer your pressing altâTurkey 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. Itâs a dinner party everyone will be grateful for.
The Menu
Drinks for a crowd
A make-ahead app
Fresh and crunchy salad
An all-in-one main dish
Potatoes, of course
A sweet finish
Setting the Scene
Putting as much thought into the vibes as you do the food ensures your guestsâfriends, family, and plus-ones alikeâall feel welcome at your table. âEmily 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 & Barrelâs Petrie Folding Chair and All Modernâs Dan Rattan Folding Chair cost more than metal or plastic, but theyâre practical investment pieces youâll 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, whatâs more welcoming than cozying up to a spot thatâs been set just for you? Decorative place card holders like The Object Enthusiastâs 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 youâre 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 setsâor ruinsâdinner party ambiance quite like lighting, and if you want your home to feel more like a cozy wine bar than a Wendyâs, youâre going to need to step away from the light switch. Instead, layer a few softer light sources throughout your space, like West Elmâs 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 Ecosmartâs 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 canât 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 youâre creating a space for that to happen, the food is kind of secondary. âKendra 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. âShilpa Uskokovic
