Friendsgiving

While many Thanksgiving traditions will stand the test of time, a new way of celebrating has taken off among Millennials and Gen Z: Friendsgiving. Rather than the traditional family dinner made complete by serving turkey, green bean casserole, and other tasty foods, Friendsgiving combines fun games and foods from different cultures to be shared with close companions and work friends.

The Origin of Friendsgiving

The origination of Friendsgiving is debatable. Many believe it came from the uber-popular show from the mid-90s to early 2000s, Friends. However, it seems that term was never used on the show itself. It wasn’t until 2008 and later that the word began popping up on social media sites and news articles. Rebecca Ross, who wrote for the Pensacola News Journal, said in 2008: “But just because you can’t go home for the holidays doesn’t mean you have to be alone and leftover-less. Friends, coworkers, neighbors and ‘holiday orphans’ can celebrate a fantastic ‘Friendsgiving’ instead.”

Later in 2011, Bailey’s Irish Cream used the word in an ad campaign, and The Real Housewives of New Jersey used it as a plot point in the episode titled “Gobblefellas.”

Regardless of how it came to be, Friendsgiving is widely celebrated throughout the US. There are several reasons why having a Friendsgiving is appealing. For students and others who no longer live close to their childhood homes, it can be difficult and costly to make the trip home for the holiday. For others, the holidays are stressful and overwhelming, and spending the day with a group of friends is far more desirable. And then there are those without family who appreciate having a place to go and people to spend the day with.

Friendsgiving accommodates modern lifestyles regarding flexible and hectic work schedules, strict diets, and living arrangements that aren’t exactly compatible with the traditional idea of a Thanksgiving dinner and gathering. There are no traditions to uphold or requirements for how to spend the day. In fact, Friendsgiving is celebrated in a number of ways.

Different Ways to Celebrate

The typical Thanksgiving dinner is not always the foundation of a Friendsgiving celebration, although some still prefer it. Themed or costume parties are also a popular choice, as is a potluck of authentic cuisines from the guests’ home countries. Along with an eclectic, non-traditional dinner, board games, card games, crafts, and other fun events are often a part of the day. The greatest thing about Friendsgiving is there are no rules. The host can choose what to incorporate into their party, and there are no wrong answers. Food is usually the basis of the day, and the rest is open to suggestion. Sometimes people attend both a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and a Friendsgiving party. There isn’t even a specific day set aside for Friendsgiving! What could be more fun than a carefree day with family, friends, and co-workers to kick off the holiday season?

Takeaways:

1. Friendsgiving is an alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving family gathering, in which friends gather to celebrate the holiday.
2. There aren’t really any rules to Friendsgiving – different people celebrate in different ways, even on different days.
3. Many people assume Friendsgiving comes from the TV show Friends, but that’s probably just because of the name of the show – the term itself didn’t first appear in media until several years after the show ended.