15 Tips for Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving Party

Finalizing your guest list should be the first step in planning a Friendsgiving party. If you’re hosting it at your home, consider how much space you have and how many people you can comfortably accommodate. If you’re hosting a smaller gathering, you may be able to rely on the dishware, utensils and chairs you already own, but a larger party may require you to increase your budget or borrow items from neighbors and friends. Of course, you don’t need to stress over these details until after you send out your invites. Many people travel for Thanksgiving, so you should expect some of your friends to decline your invitation.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is whether to organize a potluck-style Friendsgiving or take on the task of preparing the entire meal yourself. A potluck can be a great way to celebrate a range of dishes that reflect your friends’ specialties and backgrounds while significantly cutting down on the time and effort you need to spend. On the other hand, if you take pride in your culinary abilities and want to offer a curated meal experience, cooking everything as the host might be right up your alley. You’ll have more control over the menu’s flow and cohesion, but it’ll be much more time-consuming (and costly) on your part.

If you decide to go the potluck route, you’ll need to coordinate who’s bringing what so you don’t end up with too many variations of the same dish. Divvy up main courses, appetizers/sides, desserts, and drinks, and let your guests know if there are any allergies/intolerances to keep in mind.

If you’re making everything yourself, set a firm budget and be sure to plan your menu in advance, as some items can sell out quickly at grocery stores during the week of Thanksgiving. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends to chip in to help offset the cost of ingredients, and consider asking one or two people to head to your place early to help out in the kitchen.

The meal is the centerpiece of a Friendsgiving gathering, so take a moment to check in with your guests about any allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it’s vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or nut-free requirements, being informed allows you to either adjust your dishes or incorporate a few alternatives to ensure everyone has something delicious to enjoy. If you’re opting for a potluck-style gathering, communicate these preferences to all your guests so everyone is on the same page.

To help guarantee that everyone on your guest list can make it, decide on a date at least one month in advance. Putting the date on the calendar several weeks ahead of time helps ensure people will be able to come during the busy holiday season. If your schedule is flexible and you want to find the date that works best with your friends, you can send a poll using a tool like Doodle with 2-3 options.

When it comes time to actually send the invite, you have a few options, including text, email or even tools like Partiful and Paperless Post, which make it easy to track RSVPs and communicate with guests. If your group is smaller, you can even design custom Friendsgiving invitations and mail them out to add a personal touch to the RSVP process. 

In your invitation, be sure to include information about: 

• where the dinner will be held 
• what time guests should arrive 
• what type of item(s) you’d like each guest to bring (if it’s a potluck-style dinner)
• how to get to your home (transit lines, etc.) or where to park 

You don’t need to assign seating at your Friendsgiving party, but you do need to make sure there’s enough room for everyone — especially if you’re in a place that’s tight on space. Smaller groups might all be able to fit around the dining room table, but you may need to pull extra chairs and folding tables out of storage to accommodate larger groups. If it’s warm enough outside or you have ample outdoor heaters, you might even be able to have some guests sit on the patio. By figuring these details out ahead of time, you can make sure the dinner goes smoothly.

Before heading out to buy new things for your Friendsgiving celebration, start by double-checking what you already have tucked away in your storage unit or designated storage spots at home. Chances are your self-storage unit, attic, closets and nooks contain items like serving platters, folding tables, chairs, seasonal decor or extra linens that you can easily use to elevate your gathering. Taking a quick inventory of what you already own not only saves you money but also helps you avoid cluttering your space with duplicate or unnecessary items.

While figuring out the dinner itself is one of the biggest parts of your hosting responsibilities, don’t forget about other practical details. In addition to chairs and table space, you’ll want to make sure you have enough of the following.

• In the kitchen and dining space: dishware (plates for dinner and dessert, bowls, water cups, wine glasses), cutlery, placemats and napkins.
• In the bathroom: hand soap, toilet paper, hand towels (or paper towels) and air freshener.
• Bonus items: hangers for coats, travel-sized toiletries, hand sanitizer, antacid tablets, lactase pills, headache medicine, stain remover sticks and extra phone chargers.

Assuming you and your guests hang out for a bit after dinner, you’ll want to set up a cozy area in your living room where people can lounge. Having candles, extra pillows and soft throw blankets can help create a warm and inviting atmosphere for conversations and activities.

As the host, you’ll have your hands full preparing your space for guests, so don’t stress too much about decorations. Even small, simple fall-themed options — like a colorful tablecloth, gold-accented objects, miniature pumpkin centerpieces and fall-scented candles — can liven the experience in a simple but memorable way. Dried flowers and grasses in vases are another easy option to transform your space and can be stored and reused every year.

Give your home a thorough cleaning before having guests over to make sure everything looks just right. Consider going through the house room by room so you can sweep, vacuum, dust, and wash windows as needed. If you have a small apartment or home, you might want to put excess furniture and belongings in a self-storage unit to clear space for guests. If you’re afraid of missing any details, use our downloadable Deep Cleaning Checklist.

A signature drink is a great way to add a bit of festive flair to your Friendsgiving celebration. You can start with a standard cocktail recipe — like a Moscow mule or whiskey sour — and jazz it up with seasonal ingredients like apple cider, cranberries or cinnamon. Consider making a mocktail version for your friends who don’t drink alcohol. If you’d rather prepare a big batch in advance and let guests help themselves to drinks in a dedicated area, skip cocktails and make a big batch of mulled wine or spiced apple punch in advance, then serve it in a big pitcher or punch bowl with garnishes nearby.

The right music can set the mood from the moment your friends arrive at your home. A curated playlist of upbeat, feel-good songs or softer acoustic tunes is a great way to create a relaxed, inviting vibe. Start with mellow music during the meal, then switch to more lively tunes if the night picks up. Don’t forget to keep the playlist long enough to avoid repeats and aim for a mix of genres to suit everyone’s taste.

Enjoying a meal and conversation with friends is the main point of the gathering, but it can be fun to plan a few simple activities to do throughout the night. Here are some ideas:

• Ask friends to share what they’re thankful for or have them write these down and put them in a “Gratitude Jar.” 
• Prepare a list of thought-provoking dinner table conversations. 
• Keep a few classic board games on hand for a bit of post-dinner competitive fun.
• If you’re feeling ambitious, set up a DIY photo booth with props, allowing guests to snap memories they can take home. 
• If you own a karaoke microphone, have a karaoke session focused on holiday tracks.
• Watch a holiday movie that everyone votes on after dinner, with popcorn, pumpkin donuts, and cider.

Remember, don’t stress out too much about having a plan — at the end of the day, Friendsgiving is about making special memories with loved ones, and sometimes the moments that don’t go according to plan are the ones you end up cherishing most.

One of the best parts of hosting Friendsgiving is being able to enjoy the leftovers. Make sure you have plenty of Tupperware on hand so guests can help themselves to a leftover slice of pie or helping of stuffing. If you’re budget-conscious or have a larger gathering, consider buying disposable foil containers or asking guests to bring their own containers. You can label the containers or use colored stickers to differentiate between dishes, making it easier for guests to identify their favorite items.

The best way to simplify the post-party cleanup process is to plan ahead. Set up clearly marked trash and recycling bins for easy access, making it easy for guests to pitch in once the night wraps up. Keep extra garbage bags handy and consider using disposable or compostable plates and utensils if you’re hosting a larger group.

Friendsgiving is all about connecting and enjoying the moment, so embrace the imperfections! If a dish is a little late or something doesn’t go as planned, let it slide and focus on maintaining a relaxed and happy atmosphere. The best memories often come from those unexpected moments, so give yourself permission to let go of perfection and enjoy the evening with your friends.

After the fun and festivities are over, move party-specific items into self storage or a storage area at home so you can clear your space for holiday guests or the next round of festivities. Carefully pack any extra chairs, silverware, dishware and reusable decor, making sure you use the right supplies and materials to protect fragile items. Use sturdy plastic bins and label them to keep party supplies organized and easy to find so that everything is accessible the next time you need to host a dinner party.

Looking for more tips on hosting gatherings? Explore the SmartStop blog. If you’re ready to find a storage unit near you, head to our Storage Locator.