5-Part Blog Series on Hosting the Ultimate Friendsgiving

Part 1: Planning & Invitations — The Foundation of Friendsgiving

Hosting a memorable Friendsgiving starts long before the turkey hits the oven. Good planning and thoughtful invitations set the stage for a stress-free celebration—and the right ambiance. A cozy fragrance from Pura can instantly make your home feel warm and inviting before guests even arrive. In the first installment of our Friendsgiving series, we’ll cover how to choose the perfect date, curate your guest list, send out invites, and map out a timeline so everything runs smoothly.

Choosing the date

One of the first steps is picking a date that works for you and your friends. Unlike Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November, Friendsgiving can be on any date you’d like. Many hosts opt for the Saturday before or after Thanksgiving—close enough to the holiday to feel festive, but with a full non-work day to prepare and another to recover. When selecting a date, consider factors like work schedules, travel plans, or local events that may impact your plans. It’s wise to check informally with your closest friends (a group text works great) to avoid major conflicts and settle on a date when most can attend.

Once you’ve zeroed in on a date, get the word out early. Sending invitations at least a couple of weeks in advance (if not more) is ideal. This gives everyone time to plan and RSVP, and it helps you get a reliable headcount. Include the basics in your invite – date, time, and location – along with any special instructions (like “bring a side dish” or costume theme, if you’re doing one). Be sure to set an RSVP deadline (perhaps one week before Friendsgiving) so you know who’s coming in time to finalize the menu and seating. Digital invites (e-vites, Facebook events, group texts) are perfectly fine for Friendsgiving. In fact, a lot of people send out a cute Friendsgiving invite via email or social media in late October or early November to lock in the date.

Crafting your guest list

Deciding who to invite can be tricky, especially if you have many friend groups. A good rule of thumb is to invite people who you love spending time with and who will appreciate a Friendsgiving dinner. Think about group dynamics: will everyone know someone there? It’s okay (even fun) to mix friend groups, but you might not want to be the only common link among 15 strangers. Try to ensure there’s a friendly, inclusive mix so no one feels out of place. Also consider your space; how many people can you realistically fit around your table (or in your living room, picnic-style)? It’s better to have a slightly smaller group that you can host comfortably.

Things to consider when building your guest list:

• Capacity: How many people can your home accommodate (with chairs, table space, etc.) without everyone being squished?
  

• Group dynamics: Will your friends mesh well together? If there are a few folks who don’t know each other, maybe also invite a mutual friend or two so everyone has someone to talk to.
  

• Participation: If it’s potluck (more on that in Part 2), are your invitees the type to happily bring a dish or help out? Ideally, Friendsgiving guests get involved in the fun.
  

• The Food Factor: Consider if anyone on your list has dietary needs, as you might want to include or accommodate that in your planning. No one should go hungry at Friendsgiving!
  
  

Be mindful and inclusive. Friendsgiving is about celebrating your “chosen family,” so invite the people who make you feel grateful. And remember, it doesn’t have to be huge. Whether you have four friends over or fourteen, it’s really about the quality time. A smaller gathering can be just as delightful as a big party—sometimes even more so, because you get to have meaningful conversations with everyone.

Sending invitations & RSVP tips

With your date and guest list set, it’s time to send out the invitations. Since Friendsgiving tends to be casual, digital invitations are perfectly okay. You can create a fun e-vite with fall graphics, start a Facebook event, or even just send a personalized text. Make sure to include all the key details in your invite:

• Date & Time: Clearly state the date and when you want people to arrive. (If dinner is at 6 p.m. but you want folks over by 5 for appetizers, note that.)
  

• Location: Provide your address and any important info like parking instructions.
  

• What to bring: If you’re doing a potluck or want people to contribute (e.g., “bring a dessert” or “BYOB”), let them know.
  

• RSVP details: Ask for RSVPs by a certain date (and give a way to RSVP, like replying to the text or clicking “Join” on the event). Setting a deadline helps you plan how much food and seating you’ll need.
  

When inviting, earlier is better. People’s November schedules fill up quickly with holidays and travel, so try to get your Friendsgiving invites out in late October or very early November. A friendly reminder a few days before the event can be helpful too (“Can’t wait to see you this Saturday for Friendsgiving at 5 PM!”).

One more tip: if you have any special requests or info, include it on the invite. For example, if you have a pet (“FYI, I have a cat in case anyone has allergies”) or a dress code for fun (“Wear your coziest sweater!”), your friends will appreciate the heads-up.

Creating a planning timeline

To keep things stress-free, map out a simple timeline for your Friendsgiving planning. Here’s a rough guide:

• 2 weeks before: Send out invitations (if you haven’t already) and start planning the menu. This is also a good time to make sure you have enough plates, utensils, and chairs.
  

• 1 week before: Finalize your menu and make a shopping list. Count your dinnerware – make sure you have enough for everyone (nobody wants to be stuck eating with a spoon because you ran out of forks!). Do the bulk of your grocery shopping now for non-perishables and ingredients that will keep.
  

• 2–3 days before: Prep whatever you can ahead of time. Chop veggies, pre-make any dishes that hold well (casseroles, pie crusts), and get your home ready. It’s also a good time to decorate and set up any extra tables or seating.
  

• 1 day before: Do the final fresh grocery run. Start cooking the dishes that can be made in advance; the more you get done now, the more you can enjoy tomorrow. Set the table if you have space, or at least set aside everything you’ll need (plates, napkins, serving utensils) so it’s ready to go.
  

• Friendsgiving Day: Schedule out your cooking for the day. For example, turkey in at noon, sides in at 2 PM, etc., and build in some buffer time. Aim to have most things done by the time friends arrive so you can greet them (it’s okay if one casserole is finishing in the oven). Give yourself a little time to get dressed and breathe before guests show up. Once friends arrive, relax and have fun. The hard work is done!
  
  

Having a day-of timeline (even just a handwritten schedule) can be a lifesaver. You’ll feel more in control knowing what needs to go in the oven when, and you’ll be less likely to forget to serve that one dish still chilling in the fridge. But remember, things might not go perfectly, and that’s okay! If dinner runs a bit late or a dish doesn’t turn out as planned, laugh it off. Friendsgiving is about friends, not perfection.

What makes a successful Friendsgiving?

A successful Friendsgiving begins with solid planning. By choosing the right date, inviting your favorite people, and staying organized with timelines and RSVPs, you set yourself (and your friends) up for a fantastic celebration. Once the prep work is done, you can focus on what really matters: good food and great company. So send out those invites, plan out your to-dos, and get excited—your Friendsgiving is sure to be a night to remember. And if anything goes astray, don’t sweat it. With your best pals by your side and a positive vibe in the air, you really can’t go wrong. Happy planning!