Friendsgiving has been around for a few years now. One of the best things about living in a rural area is the sense of community. When you live in a small town, everyone knows everyone, which can be special. However, it may take time to make some true friends nearby. But it also means when holidays roll around, you might not have family nearby to celebrate with. That’s why I’ve put together 5 Friendsgiving ideas for you.
If you’re looking for some Friendsgiving ideas this year, look no further. Here are a few fun Friendsgiving
ideas to get you started in your rural area.
What is it?
What is Friendsgiving? Friendsgiving is a Thanksgiving celebration with one’s friends, instead of one’s family. It happens when people move away from home especially from rural areas to cities for work, etc.
1. Plan Ahead
Plan and delegate tasks. One of the best things about Friendsgiving is that it’s a potluck-style meal, which means everyone can contribute something. To make sure everything comes together smoothly, plan and delegate tasks.
Make a list of everything that needs to be done.
From cooking and cleaning to setting the table and decorating – assign tasks to different people in your group. That way, no one feels overwhelmed and everyone knows what they need to do to help make the day a success.
We had potluck dinners the last four years with three other couples. It’s easier than one person cooking or baking everything. This year we’ve extended our friends to include more for the potluck dinners.
Plus all the cleaning that goes into it before guests come over for the potluck.
2. Pot Luck Dinners For Friendsgiving Ideas
This is a great way to try new recipes having everyone involved in meal planning. It’s a great way to save money on your Friendsgiving feast.
Just assign each person to bring a dish and voila – you’ve got yourself a delicious meal. There is no need to think of Friendsgiving food ideas alone.
Get creative with your menu. Just because you don’t spend Thanksgiving with family doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all your favorite traditional dishes.
But if you’re looking to mix things up, you have plenty of other options. You could create a themed menu (like an Italian-style Thanksgiving feast or a Mexican-inspired turkey dinner) or ditch the turkey altogether in favor of another main dish. The sky’s the limit, so get creative!
Don’t forget about dessert. What’s a Thanksgiving feast without pumpkin pie? If you’re not into baking, no worries – you can always purchase something at the bakery if you plan ahead.
However, sometimes we have had the best potlucks at the last minute when everyone could get together. It’s not always easy with everyone’s jobs and families who come to visit, etc.
3. Play Some Games
Another Friendsgiving idea is to play games. Board games, charades, or some good old-fashioned truth or dare are all great ways to get everyone laughing and having fun together.
Just be sure you have snacks on hand to keep everyone’s energy up.
What are some fun games?
- Mexican Train
- Cards Against Humanity
- Scrabble
- Trivia
- Monopoly
- Pool (if one has a table)
- Ping Pong
4. Go For A Nature Walk or Ride
If you’re lucky enough to live in a beautiful area, take advantage of it. Get everyone together for a nice long walk and enjoy the scenery. Maybe even bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy along the way.
However, in the cold climate where we are, we could watch a beautiful sunset on a lake. Or go on a snowshoe walk, ski, or for a snowmobile ride.
5. Make Friendsgiving Fun
Make it fun! The whole point of Friendsgiving is to have fun with your friends, so make sure that’s at the forefront of everything you do. Whether you play games, watch football, or just sit around and chat all day, take some time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
That’s what this holiday is all about, so don’t be lonely this year.
6. Invite More People as Your Circle Expands
The longer you live in a rural area you meet new people you can invite to your Friendsgiving meal. Think of those who do not have family living by or if they are new in town.
Keep in mind you will need the space if you have a large gathering. Your Friendsgiving food list may be longer so assign everyone something from the list.
Conclusion: Friendsgiving Ideas in Rural Areas
Celebrating Friendsgiving is a great way to enjoy all the best parts of Thanksgiving. It is all about food, company, and gratitude, without all the stress of travel and family drama. And if you don’t how to get started, don’t worry, I got you covered here.
Just follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to hosting a Friendsgiving celebration that everyone will remember for years to come. The same can be planned for Christmas and New Year’s Eve if you are far from your family living in a rural area.
Have you had a Friendsgiving in your area yet? It’s still not too late to have a get-together for Friendsgiving any day of the year.
I’d love to hear more about your get-together living in a rural area or other Friendsgiving ideas you may have.
Happy Thanksgiving!
