Friendsgiving ideas - Leah E. Moss Designs

This fall, keep the Thanksgiving fun rolling with these fun Friendsgiving ideas. Have a party with your closest friends to share a meal, cocktails, and tons of laughs.

I partner with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and/or purchases. Thank you for supporting my business in this way!

In this blog, you’ll find a few suggestions for each category, depending on your budget and time constraints. Mix and match to create your perfect combination of Friendsgiving ideas!

    • 🌸 Tabletop and Household Decor 
    • 🍽️ Place Settings
    • 🍸 The Bar
    • 🧑‍🍳 The Menu
    • 🎁 Hostess Gift Ideas for Thanksgiving

Tabletop and Household Decor

The vibe: autumnal and cozy Friendsgiving ideas

If possible, source real autumn leaves, apples, and small pumpkins or gourds from your own property or a farm stand.

A great alternative would be faux mini pumpkins. They’re cute — I personally prefer the ones that are obviously fake (cloth, other textures etc) for a purposefully different look.

Add in some potted mums throughout your home and on the porch for a festive, fall setting. Sprinkle some Thanksgiving-themed confetti on the tabletop for added visual interest.

Then, add in tons of candles and a few sprigs of dried grasses and flowers. Bud vases make the arranging easy. A few sprigs per vessel, with a bunch of them lined up in a row, makes for a chic and elegant arrangement without having to call in the pros!

Tablecloth

This velvet tablecloth is the perfect “base layer” for a fall tablescape. 

If the velvet feels a little too bold for you, this linen option would be perfect! The tassels and texture make a great statement.

Napkins

Add a pop of contrast with a petite print! There are great disposable options, as well as reusable cloth selections to add an extra punch of color.

Place Settings

Placemats to keep the Friendsgiving ideas rolling

Each person’s seat becomes another opportunity to showcase a fall element. There are lots of great Friendsgiving ideas here, depending on which style you prefer!

Cloth round boho placemats - Friendsgiving ideas | Leah E. Moss Designs

These round boho placemats are cloth and reusable. Cute tassel detail!

Disposable placemats with plaid print

These plaid patterned disposable placemats make cleanup a breeze.

Embroidered fall placemats - Friendsgiving ideas | Leah E. Moss Designs

These adorable, embroidered placemats are so cute at each person’s seat. 

Disposable leaf placemats - Friendsgiving ideas | Leah E. Moss Designs

Leaf “cutout” placemats are a fun and unexpected twist.

Place cards to assign seating

For a little bit more oomph, you can purchase acrylic blanks and a paint pen (just make sure you get one that works on plastic)! These wavy-edge blanks are adorable and add just a hint of that feminine pop. Go over your own writing – two coats will give the best results.

PS – If you have a larger group and don’t feel like a project, get these done FOR you.

Gold polka dot place cards - Mother's Day brunch ideas | Leah E. Moss Designs

These gold polka dot place cards are neutral and come in a bulk pack, so you can use them over and over again. Cute to add to each person’s place setting or a nice addition to the buffet, calling out what each item is!

Friendsgiving ideas for plates

Whether you want to use disposable or dishwasher safe, bold or understated, there’s a perfect plate out there for your party! Here are some disposable and reusable options for both looks.

Silverware

Whether you want to have disposable options or machine washable, you can still lean into the theme!

The Bar

Drink personalization

No easier way to up the cute factor for your Friendsgiving bash!

Thanksgiving drink markers | Friendsgiving ideas - Leah E. Moss Designs

These Thanksgiving drink markers add colorful flair to your cocktails and help you keep track of each guest’s beverage. Drink tags make any party more festive!

Gold foil maple leaf straws - Friendsgiving ideas | Leah E. Moss Designs

These gold foil maple leaf straws are sure to enhance any drink. Plus they’re paper so they’re better for the environment. They’ll immediately elevate your fall cocktail station.

Pitchers for mixing and serving

For a big group gathering, make things easy on yourself. Don’t individually mix drinks – make a pitcher of a spiked rum/cider or pre-mix a ginger cocktail. Add some festive personalization and glasses, and you’re all set!

Drinkware

Lean into the theme with autumnal colored glassware, or cute disposable cups that coordinate with the vibe! Your crew will just be glad you’re hosting.

Make-Ahead Friendsgiving Ideas for the Menu

I love to host, but admittedly hosting is tough, because I want to hang out with the guests! My goal is to set the table the day before, and get as much food prep done in advance as possible.

This cookbook has a pre-done menus section, with lots of combinations for Thanksgiving vibes!

Have your friends bring stuff, too.

Serve charcuterie or other appetizers on this adorable “thankful” engraved cutting board (which also works as a great hostess gift).

Easy - and fabulous - hostess gift ideas for Thanksgiving!

This post had tons of Friendsgiving ideas that would work for actual Thanksgiving, too. But, if you’re not hosting the big holiday feast, it’s always nice to bring the hostess a little something. Don’t show up empty-handed!

If she's sentimental...

You can create a custom recipe cutting board, engraved with a family recipe — in your loved one’s handwriting! All you have to do is take a photo of a recipe card from above and then it’s magic.

Recipe cutting board

If she's got everything...

If it doesn’t move, monogram it.

Monogrammed cutting board - Leah E. Moss Designs

So that’s it! I hope you found this post with Friendsgiving ideas to be helpful. Go spoil your friends — they deserve it. And I know you’ll have tons of fun along the way, too!

xoxo, Leah

Save these Friendsgiving ideas for later

Friendsgiving ideas - Leah E. Moss Designs