friends icon drinks icon snacks icon celebration icon

Friendsgiving Planning Guide for a Cozy, Stress-Free Celebration

Host the perfect Friendsgiving with easy potluck ideas, themes and a clear checklist to organize who brings what.

Step-by-step Friendsgiving planning guide

  1. Define your Friendsgiving vibe, date and guest list — Decide what kind of Friendsgiving you want: a classic turkey dinner, a casual potluck buffet, or a themed night (brunch, tacos, vegan, etc.). Pick a date and time that works for your core group, and estimate how many people you can comfortably host in your space. Then create your event in Fiestukis, add the basic details (address, time, theme) and invite your friends so all the planning and communication stays in one place.
  2. Choose a Friendsgiving theme and menu style — Pick a simple theme to guide decorations and dishes, such as “Cozy Fall”, “Pajama Friendsgiving”, “International Thanksgiving” or “Friendsgiving Brunch”. Decide if you’ll do a traditional Thanksgiving-style meal, a buffet of comfort foods, or small plates and snacks. In your Fiestukis event, describe the theme and menu style clearly so guests know what kind of Friendsgiving party to expect.
  3. Plan the potluck and create a bring-something list — Decide what you’ll provide as the host (for example: turkey or main dish, basic drinks, bread) and what guests can bring (sides, desserts, appetizers, extra drinks). In Fiestukis, create a “bring something” checklist with categories like mains, sides, desserts, vegetarian/vegan options, drinks and extras. Ask guests to claim specific items on the list so you avoid five pumpkin pies and no mashed potatoes.
  4. Organize drinks, seating and table setup — Plan a simple drink setup: water, a signature fall cocktail or mocktail, wine and maybe a hot drink station with tea or mulled cider. Check that you have enough chairs, plates, cutlery and glasses for everyone; if not, add these as items in your Fiestukis list so friends can bring extras. Think about table layout—one long table for a family-style meal or a mix of dining table, coffee table and floor cushions for a relaxed Friendsgiving vibe.
  5. Add cozy decor, music and activities — Keep decorations simple but warm: candles (or LED candles), string lights, small pumpkins, fall leaves and a neutral tablecloth instantly create a Friendsgiving feel. Prepare a playlist with mellow background music for dinner and something more upbeat for later. Plan 1–2 light activities, like a gratitude circle, a “what I’m thankful for” jar, or a simple game; you can share these ideas in the Fiestukis event so guests know what’s coming.
  6. Create a simple Friendsgiving day-of checklist — Write down the key tasks for the day: cleaning main areas, chilling drinks, reheating dishes, setting up the buffet and lighting candles. Use your Fiestukis event to confirm arrival times, who needs oven space, and any last-minute changes to the potluck list. Keep the atmosphere relaxed—Friendsgiving is about enjoying time with your chosen family, not perfection.

Complete guide to hosting Friendsgiving

Ideally, start your Friendsgiving planning guide 3–4 weeks before the event so guests can save the date and choose what to bring. That gives you time to:

  • Pick a date and theme.
  • Create your event in Fiestukis and invite friends.
  • Set up the potluck "bring something" list so people can claim dishes.
  • Adjust the menu if you see gaps (for example, not enough sides or desserts).

If you’re short on time, even 1–2 weeks can work as long as you keep the menu simple and coordinate everything through Fiestukis.

The easiest way is to create clear categories and let guests sign up for specific items. In Fiestukis, add a "bring something" list with sections like:

  • Main dishes (turkey, roast, vegetarian main)
  • Sides (potatoes, veggies, stuffing, salads)
  • Desserts (pies, cakes, cookies)
  • Drinks (wine, soft drinks, cocktails, mocktails)
  • Extras (ice, bread, sauces, snacks)

Ask each guest to claim exactly what they’re bringing in the app. This Friendsgiving checklist keeps everything visible so you don’t end up with four mac and cheeses and no dessert.

Not everyone has to bring a homemade dish. Great low-effort Friendsgiving potluck ideas include:

  • Store-bought pies or cakes, nicely plated.
  • Cheese and charcuterie boards (pre-sliced is fine).
  • Ready-made dips with chips, crackers or veggie sticks.
  • Fresh bread, rolls or cornbread from a bakery.
  • Drinks: wine, soft drinks, sparkling water or juice.

You can add a "non-cooking friendly" section in your Fiestukis bring-something list so shy cooks still feel included.

Friendsgiving works great in small spaces if you plan the layout and menu with flexibility in mind:

  • Go buffet-style instead of full place settings to save table space.
  • Use the sofa, chairs, stools and floor cushions for mixed seating.
  • Serve dishes that are easy to eat from a bowl or small plate.
  • Ask friends via Fiestukis to bring extra folding chairs or cushions if needed.
  • Keep decor simple: string lights, a few candles and one centerpiece.

The cozy, close-together feeling actually suits a Friendsgiving party perfectly.

A simple Friendsgiving checklist keeps you calm and organized. Include:

  • Theme, date, time and guest list.
  • Menu plan: what you cook vs. what guests bring.
  • Shopping list for food, drinks and basics (foil, napkins, trash bags).
  • Tableware: plates, cutlery, glasses, serving spoons.
  • Decor and ambiance: lights, candles, playlist.
  • Cleaning and prep tasks for the day of the event.

You can create this checklist inside your Fiestukis event and share it, so friends can help by taking on small tasks or bringing missing items.

No, you absolutely don’t need a full turkey to host Friendsgiving. Many hosts choose easier options like:

  • Roast chicken or turkey breast only.
  • A vegetarian or vegan main (stuffed squash, lentil loaf, mushroom wellington).
  • A themed Friendsgiving, like pasta night, taco bar or brunch.

Use your Fiestukis Friendsgiving planning guide to explain your chosen style and let guests build the potluck around it. The focus is on being together, not on a traditional turkey.

Related Themed Party Ideas