{"id":10480,"date":"2025-08-22T02:56:55","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T07:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:10010\/?p=10480"},"modified":"2026-11-04T09:53:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T15:53:51","slug":"friendsgiving-invitations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/friendsgiving-invitations\/","title":{"rendered":"Gather Your Chosen Family With These Friendsgiving Invitation Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Friendsgiving<\/p>\n

Friendsgiving is more than just a meal. It\u2019s a celebration of community, gratitude, and <\/span>good food<\/span> with the people you choose. Whether you’re planning a laid-back <\/span>Friendsgiving potluck<\/span> or a stylish brunch, <\/span>your <\/span>Friendsgiving invitations<\/span> set the tone for the event. <\/span><\/p>\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through creative <\/span>Friendsgiving invitation<\/span> ideas, including cozy <\/span>party themes<\/span>, wording samples, and <\/span>RSVP<\/span> tips: everything you need to host a memorable <\/span>Friendsgiving celebration<\/span>. For more complete examples, from game nights to office Friendsgivings, see our Friendsgiving invitation wording guide<\/a>.<\/span>
\n<\/p>\n

What Is Friendsgiving?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Friendsgiving<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is a gathering of friends around the Thanksgiving holiday. It\u2019s often held a few days before or after the traditional <\/span>Thanksgiving dinner<\/span>, and usually involves <\/span>potlucks<\/span>, games, or just sharing time with your favorite people or <\/span>loved ones<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s casual, personal, and flexible, which is perfect for anyone who wants to start a new tradition or celebrate a chosen family. Whether you’re hosting a laid-back <\/span>Thanksgiving potluck<\/span> or planning a full <\/span>Thanksgiving dinner party<\/span>, Friendsgiving gives you the freedom to celebrate in your own way, on or around <\/span>Thanksgiving Day<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

5 <\/b>Friendsgiving Party Themes and Matching Invitations<\/b><\/h2>\n

Before you send out your invitations, you\u2019ll want to choose a theme to help guide the look and feel of your event. Picking a theme isn\u2019t required, but it helps make planning more fun and focused, especially when it comes to food, decor, and your <\/span>party invitations<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few cozy and creative <\/span>Friendsgiving party themes<\/span> to inspire your event. Each includes opening wording; pair it with the full details from the complete examples further down.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. <\/b>Potluck<\/b> Feast<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Friendsgiving
Design: Jen Montgomery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great for:<\/b> Big groups, casual gatherings<\/span><\/p>\n

Host a <\/span>potluck-style dinner party<\/a><\/strong>, and ask guests to bring a dish to share. It\u2019s budget-friendly and ensures a variety of flavors. Don\u2019t forget to tailor your <\/span>potluck invitations<\/span> to clearly communicate what guests should bring and how to <\/span>RSVP<\/span> to your <\/span>Thanksgiving feast<\/span>. Our potluck invitation wording guide<\/a> has complete examples with the dish, the serving count, and the reply line written out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonus tip:<\/b> Use a shared doc or group chat to avoid duplicate dishes!<\/span><\/p>\n

Matching invitation:<\/b> Friendsgiving Invitation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening wording: <\/b><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Get This Gravy Train Rolling! <\/span><\/p>\n

Join us for a Friendsgiving feast filled with <\/span>good food<\/span>, great company, and zero pressure to roast a turkey solo.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s <\/span>potluck<\/span>-style, so bring your favorite dish to share: homemade, store-bought, or totally last-minute, we love it all.<\/span><\/p>\n

To keep things flavorful (and avoid five mac \u2018n\u2019 cheeses), we\u2019ll be sharing a doc to track who’s bringing what.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can\u2019t wait to gather around the table with you!<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Brunch Gathering<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Friendsgiving
Design: Carmia Jordaan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great for:<\/b> Morning people, smaller groups, Friendsgiving before <\/span>Thanksgiving Day<\/span><\/p>\n

This Friendsgiving <\/span>brunch idea<\/a><\/strong> is a fresh take on tradition and perfect for those who already have dinner plans elsewhere. Swap out turkey for pancakes or waffles. Think mimosas, pumpkin spice lattes, and breakfast casseroles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your invitations can lean playful or cozy. Just be sure to include the dress code and whether guests should bring a dish or drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonus tip:<\/b> Set up a DIY mimosa bar or build-your-own breakfast sandwich station.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matching invitation:<\/b> Autumn Plaid Invitation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening wording: <\/b><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Gather and <\/span>Be Grateful<\/span><\/p>\n

Join us as we toast to friendship over flapjacks and fall flavors!<\/span><\/p>\n

Coffee\u2019s brewing, mimosas are chilling! Come hungry and dressed in your best brunch fits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let us know if you\u2019ll bring a breakfast bite or bubbly to share!<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Game Night Dinner<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Friendsgiving
Design: Robinson Creative House<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great for:<\/b> Competitive friend groups, family-friendly events<\/span><\/p>\n

Start with a hearty meal, then break out the board games. Think <\/span>fun party games<\/a><\/strong>, card games, or a themed trivia round to keep the fun going. Add a little friendly competition with small prizes or personalized scorecards. Include game details on your invite so guests know what to expect (and can bring their favorites).<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonus tip:<\/b> Choose games that work well with your group size and vibe, such as party games for big groups or strategy games for smaller crowds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matching invitation:<\/b> Friendsgiving Feast Invitation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening wording: <\/b><\/p>\n

Food, Friends & a Side of Strategy<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s have a hearty dinner, then dive into cards, trivia, and board game showdowns.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Bring your A-game and a favorite game to share!<\/span><\/p>\n

Come hungry and ready to compete. Let\u2019s make this a night of full bellies and friendly rivalries.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Outdoor Bonfire<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Festive
Design: Carmia Jordaan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great for:<\/b> Backyard-friendly homes, smaller friend circles<\/span><\/p>\n

Bundle up, serve warm cider, and roast marshmallows over a backyard fire pit. Add cozy seating with blankets and string lights for a magical autumn evening. Whether you’re serving a full meal or just snacks and drinks, this theme brings relaxed, nostalgic energy to Friendsgiving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonus tip:<\/b> Offer a DIY s’mores bar and thermoses of hot chocolate or spiked cider to keep guests toasty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matching invitation:<\/b> Festive Fall Feast Invitation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening wording: <\/b><\/p>\n

Friendsgiving under the stars<\/span><\/p>\n

Join us for an evening around the fire complete with warm cider, s\u2019mores, and good company. Bundle up, bring a blanket, and get ready to toast to friendship with snacks, stories, and autumn skies.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Cozy Night In<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Stuff
Design: Jen Montgomery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great for:<\/b> Introverts, post-work gatherings, or weeknight <\/span>get-togethers<\/span><\/p>\n

Create a chill vibe with candles, soft blankets, and a casual Thanksgiving meal. Let everyone show up in their comfiest clothes, like hoodies, joggers, or even pajamas. Focus on comfort food, a relaxed playlist, and low-key conversation. For dessert, a warm slice of <\/span>pumpkin pie<\/span> pairs perfectly with hot cocoa or cider, adding a touch of autumn sweetness to your cozy evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonus tip:<\/b> Turn the night into a movie marathon or fireplace chat session for added bonding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matching invitation:<\/b> Stuff Our Pieholes Invitation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening wording: <\/b><\/p>\n

Join us for comfort food in your comfiest hoodie and fuzzy socks. We\u2019ll keep it simple with good eats, warm drinks, and cozy vibes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just bring yourself (and maybe your go-to pie). Expect relaxed convo, candlelight, and maybe a movie or two.<\/span><\/p>\n

Friendsgiving Invitation Wording: Complete Examples<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Friendsgiving
Design: Loree Mayer Designs | Friendsgiving Pumpkins Invitation<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A complete Friendsgiving invitation covers the essentials guests need before they reply: who\u2019s hosting, the day and date (including the year), when to arrive and when the meal is served if those differ, the full address, whether guests should bring anything, and how and when to RSVP. Each template below includes all of those details. Swap in your own information wherever you see brackets, and it\u2019s ready to send.<\/span><\/p>\n

Host-Provided Friendsgiving Dinner<\/b><\/h3>\n

We\u2019re cooking, you\u2019re coming!<\/span><\/p>\n

[Host] invites you to Friendsgiving dinner on [day], [date], [year] at [full address]. Doors open at [start time], and we\u2019ll sit down to eat at [dinner time].<\/span><\/p>\n

This one is on us: the turkey, the sides, the dessert, and the drinks are all covered, so please bring nothing but your appetite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reply by [RSVP deadline] using [reply link or method] so we know how many places to set.<\/span><\/p>\n

Casual Friendsgiving Potluck<\/b><\/h3>\n

Friendsgiving potluck at [host]\u2019s place!<\/span><\/p>\n

Join us on [day], [date], [year] at [start time]. We\u2019ll be at [full address].<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m making the turkey and stocking the drinks. If you’d like to bring something, one dish per household is plenty: a side, a salad, bread, or dessert all work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please RSVP by [RSVP deadline] at [reply link or method]. If you’re bringing a dish, add it to your reply so I can keep the menu balanced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Friendsgiving Brunch<\/b><\/h3>\n

Gather for a Friendsgiving brunch, hosted by [host].<\/span><\/p>\n

[Day], [date], [year], from [start time] to [end time], at [full address].<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll have waffles, a breakfast casserole, fruit, coffee, and mimosas ready. Contributions are completely optional: if you\u2019d like to bring a pastry or juice, we\u2019ll happily make room, but you\u2019re welcome to arrive with nothing but a hearty appetite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please reply by [RSVP deadline] via [reply link or method].<\/span><\/p>\n

Short Text Invitation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Inviting a few friends through a personal text or group chat you send yourself? This wording keeps the message short while still covering the essentials:<\/span><\/p>\n

Hi, it\u2019s [host]! We\u2019re hosting Friendsgiving on [day], [date], [year] at [start time] at [full address]. [One line on contributions, such as: Nothing to bring, we\u2019ve got it covered. Or: Bring a side or dessert if you\u2019d like.] Please RSVP by [RSVP deadline] at [RSVP link].<\/span><\/p>\n

Friendsgiving Invitation Tips: How to Get the Details Right<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Friendsgiving
Design: Becky Nimoy | Classic Autumn Wreath Invitation<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OK, you\u2019ve made it this far. Now it\u2019s time to start putting those <\/span>Friendsgiving invitations together<\/span>. While it\u2019s easy to breeze through crafting an invitation, it doesn\u2019t hurt to have a little reminder of the basics. Here are a few Thanksgiving-focused details you won\u2019t want to miss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Party Date and Time<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your friends can\u2019t join you for an epic Friendsgiving feast if they don\u2019t know when it\u2019s happening. Give everyone the best possible chance of turning up and include the date and time of your <\/span>dinner party<\/span> somewhere obvious on the invite. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes Friendsgiving happens on the big day itself, but other times you\u2019ll want to celebrate the actual Thanksgiving holiday with family and host a separate event for friends. To avoid confusion, make sure the date and time are clearly featured on your invitations. <\/span><\/p>\n

Venue and Location<\/b><\/h3>\n

Friendsgiving dinner parties<\/span> are often hosted at home, giving the ultimate cozy, warm, and welcoming feel. Wherever you host it, clearly state the venue and location on your invite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you\u2019re hosting at home and your friends have been to your place a thousand times, be sure to include the full address to minimize any potential mix-ups. You might also want to include special driving instructions or a note on where to park if you don\u2019t have driveway or garage space.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dress Code<\/b><\/h3>\n

You might think it\u2019s obvious that your <\/span>Thanksgiving party<\/span> is strictly a \u201cwear what you\u2019re comfortable in\u201d affair, but it\u2019s not always clear to guests. For that reason, it\u2019s helpful to include a basic dress code on your <\/span>party invites<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mention if your <\/span>Friendsgiving celebration<\/span> is casual, formal, or something else. (Pajama party, anyone?) Make it clear so guests don\u2019t have to guess.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to Bring<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you’re hosting a <\/span>potluck<\/span>-style event or would like guests to bring a side or dessert, say so on your invitation.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a host-provided dinner where guests bring nothing, skip the dish question. For a potluck, two optional write-in questions on the RSVP keep contributions and dietary needs separate:<\/span><\/p>\n

Dish question (optional):<\/b> If you’d like to bring something, what dish? One per household is plenty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dietary note (optional):<\/b> Any food allergies or dietary needs we should know about? We’ll share what’s in the dishes we make, but we can’t promise every dish will suit every need.<\/span><\/p>\n

Answers are recorded guest by guest, so for one dish per household, ask one person in each household to answer the dish question, while everyone can add their own dietary note. Read the dish answers household by household and spot any overlaps yourself. A write-in answer is a note to you, not a sign-up sheet: it doesn’t reserve a dish or stop two people from choosing the same one. For a list guests can claim items from, keep a shared document you update yourself or use a separate sign-up tool, and link it in the invitation details.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sample Menu Handoff for 12 Invited Guests<\/b><\/h3>\n

In this hypothetical example, you are the only host, and you invite 12 guests, not counting yourself: 8 accept, 2 decline, and 2 haven’t replied yet. With you at the table, that’s 9 people to feed. You’re making the turkey, and the 8 guests who accepted come from five households:<\/span><\/p>\n