How to Host the Perfect Friendsgiving Feast: Complete Guide & Menu Ide – In The Curious Kitchen

We all know that life is busy, and it is often hard to get together with your friends. Thanksgiving—well, Friendsgiving, specifically—is a special time to celebrate friendships, laugh, and reminisce about all the wonderful memories you created together. Why not bring together some of your lifelong friends as well as new ones and host a festive Friendsgiving feast at your home? It's easier to do so than you might think, and this is a nice opportunity to get your social group together before December, when calendars seem to fill up left and right!

Creating the Perfect Friendsgiving Tablescape

While Friendsgiving is a food-centric holiday, you're still going to want to pull together a beautiful tablescape to enchant your guests. I'm sharing some of my favorite decor tips and tricks below:

Showcase Seasonal Decor

I love decorating with squash, dahlias (I'm not a fan of mums for the table, as they're too fragrant!), and votive candle holders in browns, green, yellow, and orange. Fill these with unscented white votive candles—anything with a strong scent will interfere with the dining experience.

Create a Color Pop

Use an unexpected color if you dare! This isn't the time for all white china—make your gathering feel more festive by selecting dishware that features autumnal hues. You could even go the vintage route if you like as you source plates and glasses to create a more unique look. There are so many beautiful pieces of vintage glassware in brown, green, and amber that are perfect for this time of year. Grab a tablecloth that coordinates with your dinnerware.

Add Some Height

I love brass candlesticks (vintage of course), filled with beautiful candles. Just don't go with anything too tall or your guests won't be able to converse with one another across the table!

Planning Your Friendsgiving Bar

Next up, you'll want to plan what you're going to serve to drink. Here's what I suggest doing to keep things simple yet cheerful:

Offer a Signature Drink

It's always easy to serve beer, wine, and then a signature cocktail. There's no need to offer up every type of liquor on your bar cart, after all. A signature drink is both festive and a time saver. You can print out the recipe and add it to a picture frame, just like many people do at weddings and large scale events, so that guests know exactly what this cocktail entails. Have all the ingredients in place for the guest to make their own. An easy cocktail that is perfect for fall in an old fashioned, and I especially like adding in a few boozy cherries.

Don't Forget the Non-Alcoholic Options

Make sure to have a non-alcoholic option for your guests as well as plenty of water, of course! Ice is also a must.

Stock the Bar Cart with Essentials

Clean all your glassware in advance, then display highball, tall, and wine glasses (a universal style will do) on your bar cart. Cute cocktail napkins are a must. You can find so many seasonal options that will appeal to your guests.

For the perfect cocktail experience, don't forget quality to stock up on our Boozy Cocktail Cherries and our Orange Bitters and Cherry Bitters to elevate your signature drinks.

Friendsgiving Appetizers That Wow

Every hostess knows appetizers are a must, even if you're preparing to eventually fill your dinner plate with Thanksgiving dishes galore. As your guests arrive, make sure to greet them with a glass of champagne, which is always a fun way to get the party started. Have appetizers set up in your living room. This gets people out of your way in the kitchen as you deal with any last minute food arrangements!

Some of my favorite, crowd-pleasing appetizers include:

The Main Event: Friendsgiving Dinner Menu

Now let's talk about the main event: Friendsgiving dinner. Whether you are serving family- or buffet-style, make the menu delicious. Decide if you want to have everyone attending bring a dish or if you'll cook everything yourself. If you decide on a potluck setup, I suggest you have a spreadsheet with suggestions and have the guests pick what they want to bring. This will also ensure that you don't end up with three sides of mashed potatoes yet no cranberry sauce or stuffing.

If you want to be the ultimate hostess and create your own menu, here are some delicious ideas:

Stocking Your Perfect Entertaining Pantry

A well-stocked pantry is the secret to effortless entertaining. Having the right gourmet ingredients on hand means you can create impressive appetizers and enhance your dishes with minimal effort. Here are my must-have pantry essentials for the perfect Friendsgiving spread:

Gourmet Spreads & Condiments

Southern Gourmet Pantry Gift Set – The ultimate collection of jams, jellies, and mustards for any entertaining occasion
Bourbon Blueberry Jam – Perfect for cheese boards and adds a sophisticated twist to appetizers
Strawberry Jalapeño Jam – Sweet heat that pairs beautifully with cream cheese and crackers
Bourbon Honey Mustard – Essential for glazing meats and creating gourmet sandwiches
Bourbon Apple Butter – A Southern classic that's perfect for fall entertaining

Cheese Board Essentials

Cheese Board Jam Gift Set – A curated trio specifically designed for charcuterie boards
Hot Pepper Jelly – The perfect accompaniment to soft cheeses and crackers
Pimento Cheese – A Southern staple that's always a crowd-pleaser
Beer Cheese – A Kentucky original that's perfect for dipping

Ready-to-Serve Options

Southern Entertaining Bundle – Everything you need for the ultimate party spread
Beer Cheese & Pretzels Bundle – A bold Southern snack that requires zero prep
Bourbon-Inspired Gourmet Gift Set – Southern bourbon favorites that elevate any gathering

Having these pantry staples means you're always ready to create an impressive spread, whether it's a last-minute gathering or a planned celebration. The key is choosing high-quality, versatile ingredients that can work across multiple dishes and occasions.