By Maria LyndersIn this story:
Thanksgiving is all about celebrating the people who make life sweeter, usually with an overflowing plate of food in hand. And while family traditions hold a special place on the holiday calendar, your friends deserve their own spotlight too! Besides, they’re the ones who know your coffee order, your dating lore, and exactly how to make you laugh when you need it most.
Still, hosting a Friendsgiving dinner can quickly turn into a logistical headache. Between figuring out who’s bringing what, hunting down extra chairs, and hoping your turkey doesn’t turn out dry or your stuffing soggy, the planning can quickly overshadow the fun.
A simple shift in plans can make all the difference. If you're searching for memorable things to do together, skip the dinner-party stress and try gathering for an experience instead. From cooking classes where you make a meal side by side, to hands-on craft workshops, these Friendsgiving activities keep the focus where it belongs: spending quality time together, completely hassle-free.
Cook up a Friendsgiving feast together
If your friend group are foodies at heart and can’t imagine Friendsgiving without leaving the table with painfully full stomachs, move the dinner party to a hands-on cooking class. Instead of everyone prepping their assigned dish alone and anxiously hoping it turns out well, you can learn something new together and enjoy the delicious results as a group.
Friendsgiving activities for food-loving groups:
Give pie its moment: Instead of saving pie for the end of the meal when everyone’s already struggling to make room, make it the main event! A pie-making class in San Francisco is the perfect excuse to get into the fall spirit. Learn to make a pumpkin spice custard tart and master the art of the perfect lattice for your Thanksgiving pie.
Let everyone take a turn with the turkey: Nobody wants to be the friend who gets stuck cooking the turkey all by themselves. In this hands-on cooking class in Los Angeles, you’ll learn to prepare herb-stuffed turkey breast roulade and apple cider-braised turkey thighs, along with the secrets to making the perfect gravy.
Try a fresh take on fall flavors: If you’re tired of making the same old dishes but still want to keep things seasonal, a pumpkin and sage pasta-making class in Chicago is a delicious way to switch things up.
Cheers to fall flavors: If your group would rather sip than sauté, a fall-inspired cocktail class in NYC is a fun way to toast your friendship. Think seasonal flavors like crisp apple, juicy pear, maple, and warming spices.
Make something meaningful at a craft workshop
Not every Friendsgiving has to revolve around food. Getting together to make something is another way to spend time with your friends, especially if you like having a little project to work on while you chat. And if you end up with some Thanksgiving decorations to bring home, even better!
Friendsgiving activities for crafty groups:
Make your own fall wreaths: Put on your favorite playlist, pour a glass of wine, and spend an afternoon making fall wreaths with your friends. A wreath-making class in San Diego gives everyone a chance to get creative while making decorations for the Thanksgiving season.
Create a colorful piece of fall art: If you’ve never tried mosaic art, this is a fun one to do as a group. In a fall mosaic workshop in the Bay Area, you’ll arrange pieces of colorful glass into the shape of an autumn leaf.
Bring seasonal florals to your Friendsgiving table: If you’re hosting Thanksgiving at home, why not make the table arrangements part of the fun? In a Thanksgiving orchid and fall floral design class in Los Angeles, you’ll work with Cymbidium orchids, roses, chrysanthemums, and more to create a beautiful seasonal arrangement.
Make candles for cozy nights: Candle-making is a good excuse to slow down and get a little creative with your friends. In an autumn candle-making class in NYC, you’ll make three candles with scents inspired by warm spices, crisp fall days, or the holidays ahead.
Most importantly, make Friendsgiving easy on yourself!
The best Friendsgiving is one where everyone gets to enjoy themselves, including the person who organized it. If you’re planning a gathering this November, here are our top tips to help keep things fun and stress-free, whether you’re hosting a dinner or looking for fun Thanksgiving activities for adults.
Keep the guest list manageable. You don’t need to invite everyone you’ve ever met. A smaller group can make it easier to choose an activity everyone will enjoy and gives you more time to connect.
Choose Friendsgiving ideas that suit your group. Think about what your friends enjoy. Are they foodies? Craft lovers? People who love trying something new? Pick an experience that feels right for your crew.
Don’t overplan. You don’t need a full itinerary. A creative activity, a little time to catch up, and maybe a meal afterward are more than enough.
Let everyone contribute in their own way. If you’re meeting for a class, ask friends to bring a favorite snack, help choose the playlist, or take charge of photos. It’s a group celebration, after all!
Remember what it’s all about. Friendsgiving isn’t about creating the perfect tablescape or serving an elaborate meal. It’s about spending time with the people who make your life better.
If you’re searching for things to do for Thanksgiving, maybe this is the year your group trades the potluck for a pasta-making class, gets creative with fall crafts, or discovers a new favorite cocktail. With so many things to do in November, there’s no shortage of ways to make the season feel a little different. So grab your friends, pick something fun, and let the Friendsgiving shenanigans begin!
