MAKE IT CUTE

Psstt! It's the szn of counting your blessings, so we're on a mission to level up your Friendsgiving. Gathering by a freshly set table with your besties never gets old, but this year, we're bringing in some a-maize-ing ideas to spice up your feast as one for the books. Brb, getting our turkey on. 

1. Bring a dish starting with the first letter of your name 

POV: Your bestie Sarah takes on the sweet potato casserole and Gracie takes on the classic green beans (pro tip: make sure there's no overlap in the menu)! And if you're looking to incorporate even more bonding time this Friendsgiving, invite everyone to cook together before gobbling away. 

@allthehealthythings

2. Dress-up dinner party of iconic fall characters

Halloween may be over, but we're bringing dress-up with us to the dinner table. Rory Gilmore, Charlie Brown, Gossip Girl (the *iconic* Thanksgiving scene, iykyk) and Fantastic Mr. Fox are just a few of our favorites. Everyone dressed as a different fall character? It's the collab we never knew we needed.

@rorygilmorestyle

3. Board night, but make it festive flavor-themed 

Okay, we *love* the traditional Thanksgiving spread, but a board night Friendsgiving might just be the move. Each one could be a different fall flavor. The pumpkin board could have delish eats like the classic pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread pudding, and the cranberry board could have your trusty cranberry sauce and some cranberry crumble. We can't *wait* to dig in. 

@biglittleboards

4. Make a collaborative Friendsgiving playlist

No party is complete without the perf playlist. And what better way to get to know your besties than by making it together! Before the party starts, make a group chat and ask your friends to pick 3-5 of their fave fall-themed songs that they'd like to hear. Need fall music inspo? We've been loving Noah Kahan, Bon Iver and Taylor Swift's evermore. 

@tstourtips

5. Host a Thanksgiving olympics 

Got a crew of active (and competitive) BFFs? Have your friends team up for a series of relay races to play during the festivities. While the turkey's in the oven, you and your friends can team up and play a quick game of capture the flag. Got a little extra time before dessert? Squeeze in a friendly game of spikeball or giant jenga. Tally up team points during each game, and the winner earns an extra slice of apple pie. 

6. Challenge your BFFs to a pie bakeoff

Apple, cherry and peach, oh my! Instead of buying a pie at the supermarket, channel your inner Great British Baking Show contestant and challenge your besties to a pie bakeoff. Each friend can be in charge of a different flavor and make their pies at home. The judging (AKA taste-testing) will commence after Friendsgiving dinner, obvi! 

@justine.hudson

7. Scrapbooking your gratitude

Ofc, we can't forget to express our gratitude. Going around the dinner table and giving our thanks is one of the sweetest things about the holiday, but a super cute way to elevate this is to host a scrapbooking session! By using some of your favorite flicks of the year, this is such an adorbs way of really seeing all that you're thankful for. 

@arthestic.somethin

Share your Friendsgiving festivities with us on Instagram @girlslifemag!

Top image: @itsgretawilson
Slider image: @itsgretawilson

by Anne Chen and Laila Mayfield | 11/11/2023