Last Updated on November 7, 2024 by Paola Castillo

November is here, and all we can think about is amazing food and being around the people we love. We have created a Thanksgiving Party ideas Guide for you and your loved ones.

Sure, we’ve all heard of Friendsgiving before, right?! Friendsgiving became so popular in the U.S. that it was eventually added to the Webster Dictionary in January 2020. Friendsgiving is a mashup of the words “friend” and “Thanksgiving” and is one of our favorite new traditions. It’s the perfect excuse to get together to celebrate with your friends and escape your family for a little. After all, our close friends basically become like family, but better because they are the family we get to choose.

Friendsgiving has no rules, and it’s supposed to be a fun stress-free time to celebrate and relax with friends. But if it is your turn to host your annual Friendsgiving this year and you’re like, “Ahh please help me, where do I start?”, we’ve got your back! We will give you a step-by-step Thanksgiving Party ideas Guide on how to make your Friendsgiving Dinner Party the very best one yet.

Step-by-step Thanksgiving Party Ideas Guide

Step 1: Planning The Food

Thanksgiving Party Ideas
Perfect your Thanksgiving feast with our ultimate guide to planning and serving delicious holiday dishes!

Let’s keep it easy for you and your guests this season by using our Thanksgiving party ideas to make the dinner a potluck. Our Thanksgiving party ideas suggest potlucks as the best option because no one will have to prepare too much, especially since the idea of one person making a whole Thanksgiving dinner sounds overwhelming and energy-draining. For a smooth experience, consult the Thanksgiving party ideas and enjoy a stress-free celebration!

Each one of your friends who is attending will bring one of their favorite Thanksgiving foods to the dinner. For example, one friend might bring their grandma’s famous stuffing, while another may bring a homemade apple pie. This is part of your Thanksgiving party ideas to ensuring a diverse spread

Just be sure to keep a list of friends that will attend and what they are bringing. The last thing you want is everyone bringing just a dessert to dinner (unless that is your secret master plan?). After all, Friendsgiving has no traditional rules. So, if you want it to BYOD (Bring Your Own Dessert), do it! This flexibility is key to your Thanksgiving party ideas, making sure everything is just right.

If you need a fully thought-out Thanksgiving dinner that is also vegan-friendly, make sure you check out our other article!

Step 2: Serving The Meal

a person holding a tray of food
Create a memorable Thanksgiving feast with our ultimate guide to serving the perfect meal. 🍂🦃✨

With all of your friends coming over, you’ll want to impress them with your skills! So, why not show off with the perfect Thanksgiving party ideas and Thanksgiving serving ware for your guests?! Use this Thanksgiving party ideas guide to make sure you have everything you need. A good Thanksgiving party ideas guide will help you pick out the ideal Thanksgiving serving ware and more. So grab a Thanksgiving party ideas guide and get started on making your gathering unforgettable!

Pumpkin Stoneware Appetizer Plates

Celebrate the season with this Thanksgiving party guide featuring charming Pumpkin Stoneware Appetizer Plates, perfect for cozy fall gatherings and Thanksgiving feasts alike. Shaped like pumpkins, each plate offers a blend of durability and elegance, crafted from premium stoneware with a matte reactive glaze that adds a unique, artisanal finish.

With this Thanksgiving party guide, their playful yet refined design elevates your table decor, creating an inviting presentation for any appetizer spread. Whether hosting a festive dinner or a casual get-together, this Thanksgiving party guide shows how these plates bring a touch of autumn warmth to your home.

Pumpkin Shaped Reclaimed Wood Cheese Board

This Pumpkin Shaped Reclaimed Wood Cheese Board brings rustic charm to any gathering or kitchen. Crafted from sustainably sourced reclaimed wood and accented with durable faux leather, this unique board showcases natural oak slats, designed to resist warping for lasting use. Its warm, dark finish is achieved with a plant-based, food-safe wax, making it a stylish and safe choice for serving cheeses, charcuterie, and more. When not in use, the board doubles as a refined decorative piece, adding a touch of seasonal elegance to your kitchen decor.

Thanksgiving Party Ideas

Step 3: Personalized Fun Cocktails

a glass of red liquid next to a pitcher of cinnamon sticks and an apple
Elevate your Thanksgiving celebration with personalized fun cocktails—discover creative recipes and tips for a festive twist!

The next step is bubbly! What is a party without some champagne or festive cocktails and mocktails? Since we are not professional bartenders and don’t expect you to be, we found a few easy drink recipes and ideas for festive Thanksgiving party cocktails. These festive drinks will be easy to make and your friends will love them!

Cranberry Margarita

This one is for your friends who love margaritas! This cranberry margarita recipe is not just your average margarita; it’s one of the best Thanksgiving party ideas because it adds a festive twist that’s perfect for the occasion! Sweet but tart, this delicious margarita will remind your guests of the flavorful cranberry sauce that is a tradition for many.

As one of the top Thanksgiving party ideas, the best part of this margarita is it looks fancy, but it’s super easy. To make it, just mix cranberry juice, lime juice, orange-flavored liqueur, and tequila over ice. To get the finished look, add cranberry garnish and a salted rim. Serve this cranberry margarita as part of your Thanksgiving party ideas, and your guests will be impressed!

Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

This Thanksgiving party ideas Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour is dangerously delicious. This Thanksgiving party ideas cocktail is basically a whiskey sour but sweetened with maple syrup instead of simple syrup. The Thanksgiving party ideas maple syrup takes this cocktail to the next level with hints of cinnamon. Enjoy this Thanksgiving party ideas drink at your next gathering for a festive twist!

Icon Drinking Glasses

Add a touch of artistry to every drink with these Icon Drinking Glasses. Each glass is skillfully hand-molded by artisans using soda lime glass, featuring embedded, floating images for a unique, textured look and feel. The design isn’t just visually stunning; the pressed images provide a satisfying grip, making every sip enjoyable. Finished with a refined white rim, these glasses add elegance and festive charm to any gathering, blending functional art with a touch of sophistication

Thanksgiving Wine Charms

Add a delightful, festive touch to your Thanksgiving table with this charming set of eight hand-crafted wine glass charms. Each charm features classic fall motifs, from adorable turkeys and vibrant leaves to a cheerful pumpkin and a shiny apple. Perfect for helping guests keep track of their glasses, these unique decorations bring a whimsical, seasonal flair to your gathering, making each toast even more memorable.

Step 4: Set the Smell

a woman in a red dress cutting food at a table
Transform your Thanksgiving gathering with inviting aromas: our guide to setting the perfect scent for your holiday party

The next step is bubbly! What is a party without some champagne or festive cocktails and mocktails? Since we are not professional bartenders and don’t expect you to be, we found a few easy drink recipes and ideas for festive Thanksgiving party ideas.

These festive Thanksgiving party ideas will feature easy-to-make drinks that your friends will love! Whether you’re looking for unique Thanksgiving party ideas or classic festive cocktails, we’ve got you covered with delicious options. Cheers to fun and festive Thanksgiving party ideas!

Williams Sonoma Pumpkin Spice Figural Candle

Bring the warmth and charm of fall into your home with Williams Sonoma’s Pumpkin Spice Figural Candle. Housed in a hand-blown glass vessel shaped like a pumpkin and finished with a luxurious gold luster, this candle doubles as a sophisticated décor piece that captures the essence of autumn.

The four wicks provide an even burn, releasing comforting scents of pumpkin and cinnamon that fill your space with cozy seasonal vibes. Perfect for adding elegance to any room, this candle is a delightful accent for gatherings or quiet moments during the fall season.

Williams Sonoma Spiced Cider Potpourri

Transform any room into a cozy retreat with Williams Sonoma Spiced Cider Potpourri, a hand-blended mix of botanical oils and essences designed to fill your space with the warm, inviting scent of spiced cider. Packaged in a reusable ribbed glass jar, this potpourri is perfect for adding an autumnal touch to your decor. It infuses your home with a comforting, uplifting aroma for up to three months, bringing the essence of fall indoors with ease.

Step 5: Thanksgiving Decor

a person tying a napkin on a plate
Transform your Thanksgiving celebration with stunning decor ideas that set the perfect festive mood.

Depending on your style, the party decorations you choose can be as laid back or as extravagant as you want them to be. At a minimum, let’s just make sure the dinner table and main visiting area both look nice for your guests with these ideas!

Friendsgiving Balloons

Add a fun, playful twist to your Friendsgiving celebration with this “Pies Before Guys” balloon banner! Featuring three adorable pie slice balloons, this Friendsgiving decor is perfect for a cozy Thanksgiving gathering with friends. The metallic gold lettering adds a festive sparkle, while the humorous message sets a lighthearted vibe.

Ideal for a Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving photo backdrop, these balloons make a memorable centerpiece that combines laughter and gratitude. Grab this banner to show your friends that Friendsgiving is all about good pie, great company, and unforgettable memories!

Happy Fall Banner

Celebrate the cozy season with this charming “Happy Fall” banner! Adorned with delightful acorns at each end, this banner captures the warmth and spirit of an authentic American autumn. Perfect for welcoming guests, sprucing up your seasonal decor, or adding a festive touch to gatherings, the banner brings a joyful charm to any space. Make this autumn holiday extra special with this beautiful display of fall spirit—perfect for any home looking to embrace the season’s magic! Explore more fall ideas with this beautiful display!

Thanksgiving Pillows

Wrap your home in seasonal charm with cozy pumpkin pillows that radiate warmth and invite the essence of fall. Perfect for sofas, shelves, or any snug corner, these pillows provide the ideal foundation for autumn decor, letting you layer in seasonal accents.

Their irresistibly soft teddy bear fabric, paired with a rustic twine stem, adds a playful yet timeless touch. These plush pumpkins bring an inviting texture that warms up any room, creating a cozy retreat perfect for curling up by the hearth and soaking in all the best of the season.

Fall Table Runner

Enhance your autumn gatherings with this stunning pumpkin design table runner, perfect for harvest season and fall decor. Its charming appliqués in various sizes create a delightful visual effect, adding texture and dimension to your tabletop. The natural, soft tones of the runner effortlessly complement a variety of dinnerware and linens, making it an ideal choice for any seasonal celebration. Transform your dining experience and embrace the warmth of fall with this beautiful addition to your table setting.

Table Place Cards

Another decor item that will upgrade your Thanksgiving will be the gold name-place cards for your guest list. A way to create organization in the table and have everyone set up already in their spot!

Thanksgiving Party Guide Complete

With this Thanksgiving party ideas guide, you’ve got everything you need to put together an epic Friendsgiving party this holiday season! We hope you and your friends are ready for it with the help of this Thanksgiving party ideas guide!

Remember, this Thanksgiving party ideas guide has tips for decorations, recipes, and activities to make your celebration unforgettable. Don’t miss out on any of the essentials in this Thanksgiving party ideas guide to ensure your Thanksgiving party ideas guide is a hit! Use these Thanksgiving party ideas guide to inspire your planning and create the perfect atmosphere for your Thanksgiving festivities!

Thanksgiving Party Ideas

How do you lay out a Thanksgiving buffet?

At a buffet table, people tend to flow from left to right by nature. Take advantage of this tendency: Place piles of plates on the left side of the table, then the turkey and any additional large proteins you plan to serve, and lastly heavy, starchy dishes like stuffing and mashed potatoes.

How many sides should a Thanksgiving dinner have?

With the turkey, how many dishes should I serve it with? Select 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides for a group of 4 people. Select 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides for a party of 8 people. Suggested menu items for 16 people: 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

How to do Thanksgiving with a large group?

Casseroles are a Thanksgiving staple because they are the ideal meals to prepare in advance for large gatherings. As the turkey is resting, you can finish the macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, dressing (or stuffing, as you want), and baked yams ahead of time.

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Meet Kourtney, a writer specializing in sex and relationships. Known for her honest and insightful approach, she explores themes of intimacy and personal growth. Her work combines personal anecdotes, expert opinions, and practical advice, helping readers navigate the complexities of modern relationships and embrace their desires. Kourtney's writing serves as a guide for those seeking authentic and fulfilling connections.