6 Tips for Hosting the Best Friendsgiving Party (Brunch Edition)

Looking for Friendsgiving party ideas? These 6 simple tips will help you host a fun and memorable Friendsgiving brunch, complete with table decor, a unique menu, and a signature drink.

*As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. My blog contains other affiliate links as well for your convenience. To learn more, you may read my Disclosure Policy. Thank you for supporting my blog!

6 Tips to Host the Best Friendsgiving Party

A Friendsgiving party doesn’t have to mean a big, sit-down Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, sweet potato dishes, and pumpkin pie. A brunch-style celebration is a fun twist on the traditional Friendsgiving gathering and an easy way to celebrate with good food and great friends.

With the right mix of good food, simple decor, and thoughtful details, you can bring friends together for a celebration that feels special without all the stress. These five tips will help you plan a Friendsgiving party brunch your guests will love.

Table of Contents

• 6 Tips to Host the Best Friendsgiving Party
• Send Out a Simple Friendsgiving Invitation
• Set the Scene for a Beautiful Friendsgiving Party Table
• Create a Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece That Feels Special
• Plan a Friendsgiving Party Menu That’s Easy and Delicious
• Surprise Your Friends with a Thoughtful Touch
• Share the Leftovers (and the Love)
• Shop The Post
• More Thanksgiving Posts You’ll Love
• 6 Simple Tips for Hosting a Friendsgiving to Remember
• More Friendsgiving Party Ideas and Inspiration
• Did You Enjoy this Post? PIN It for Later!

Send Out a Simple Friendsgiving Invitation

Before you start planning your table or menu, decide who you want to invite and send out a simple Friendsgiving invitation. It doesn’t need to be fancy or formal. Just something that shares the date, time, and lets your friends know you’re hosting a casual brunch.

You can text a quick invite, create a group message, or design a cute printable invitation using Canva if you want to make it extra special.

Include a few details about the menu or theme, like whether you’ll be serving brunch favorites or asking everyone to bring a dish to share. A clear invite helps your guests know what to expect and builds excitement for your Friendsgiving party.

Set the Scene for a Beautiful Friendsgiving Party Table

Hosting a Friendsgiving party starts with setting the scene. Whether your party is big or small, a beautiful table makes everything feel special the moment your friends arrive. Keep it simple and cozy with layers, texture, and just a few festive details and Friendsgiving decorations.

Choose a Color Palette

Pick two or three colors to guide your Friendsgiving table decor. Soft neutrals with pops of copper, gold, or rust always feel warm and seasonal, but don’t be afraid to mix in what you already have at home.

For this Friendsgiving table, I chose orange and blue. Since they’re complementary colors, they work really well together and still lend to an overall warm and cozy feeling fall table setting.

Cream, tan, and gold are timeless and easy to work with, but you can also used richer colors like rust, burgundy, and dark green if you want something that feels a little moodier.

And, warm shades of copper or mustard can add a pretty fall touch, while dusty blue or sage green are great if you like softer, more muted colors. Really, it just comes down to what you love.

Layer Your Linens and Dishes

Once you’ve picked your color scheme, it’s time to start layering your table. I like to begin with a runner or a few placemats to anchor the place settings.

Then I layer in the dishes and glassware to give the table a cozy, collected feel. Mixing materials like wood, stoneware, and glass adds just the right amount of texture and visual interest.

These round woven chargers are some of my favorites and make an appearance on a lot of my tablescapes. (You can also see how I used them in this Thanksgiving tablescape and this fall harvest look.)

Next, add a napkin between each plate. I love using a contrasting color to add a bit of personality and make the whole table pop.

Once the napkins are in place, it’s time to pull out your dishes and start layering the rest of your place settings.

Most of the time, I reach for simple white plates like these. They’re perfect for everyday meals but still elegant enough for special occasions like a Friendsgiving party. Don’t be afraid to mix and match pieces, either.

I always try to sneak in a few vintage finds, like brown transferware china, to add character and charm. And for a fun seasonal touch, I topped each place setting with pumpkin-shaped bowls.

To finish things off, fold your napkins into simple pockets and tie them with a pretty ribbon. I used blue velvet here and paired it with gold flatware for just a hint of sparkle. It’s a small detail, but it really pulls the whole table together.

Create a Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece That Feels Special

Impress your friends with a one-of-a-kind centerpiece like this DIY rustic cornucopia centerpiece.

It’s easy to make, can be personalized to match your table colors or party them, and with ties to the bounty of fall harvest, it’s the perfect decor to adorn your Friendsgiving table.

Small details make your Friendsgiving table setting feel extra special. You can easily turn mini white pumpkins into candle holders with the addition of some inexpensive tealights.

And vintage brass candlesticks with taper candles add to the ambiance and soft glow of your tablescape.

Then tuck in some fall leaves and scatter a few pinecones down the middle of your table to tie everything together.

To finish your Friendsgiving centerpiece, add a few pieces that feel personal to you. I found these bird statues at a local garden center on clearance and gave them a quick coat of gold spray paint to match the brass candlesticks.

Little touches like that are an easy way to make your table feel festive and pulled together.

More Centerpiece Ideas

If you’re looking for more fall centerpiece ideas for your Friendsgiving party, here are a few easy ones to try:

Plan a Friendsgiving Party Menu That’s Easy and Delicious

The best Friendsgiving gatherings have food that feels cozy, simple, and easy to share.Hosting a brunch makes it easy to offer plenty of Friendsgiving party food that everyone will love.

You don’t need a big or fancy spread. A mix of sweet and savory dishes always works well, especially when you use fresh, seasonal ingredients like apples, cranberries, or pumpkin.

Casseroles, breakfast boards, fruit platters with dip, and bite-sized appetizers are perfect for a casual Friendsgiving brunch where everyone can help themselves.

Set up a few self-serve options, too. A bagel bar, waffle board, or a simple mimosa and coffee station are always fun additions.

And if you want to add a special touch, print out a few DIY Thanksgiving menu cards to place at each setting.

You can also make it a potluck-style party and ask each friend to bring a favorite dish to share. It’s a fun way to mix things up and takes a little pressure off you as the host.

If you’re looking for ideas to help build your Friendsgiving party menu, here are some of my favorite brunch and breakfast recipes.

Appetizers

• Breakfast Sausage Crescent Rolls

Main Dishes

• Bacon Onion and Cheese Tart
• Bacon Spinach and Tomato Quiche
• Bacon and Egg Potato Bake
• Old-Fashioned Ham Balls

Side Dishes

• Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
• Creamy Fruit Salad
• Seasonal Fruit Wreath and Creamy Fruit Dip

Baked Goods and Sweets

• Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
• Baked Pumpkin Donuts
• Pumpkin Spice Streusel Muffins

Signature Drinks

And of course, no brunch is complete without something to sip on! You can set up a small drink station at your Friendsgiving party so guests can help themselves throughout the day.

A mimosa bar is always a favorite at holiday parties, and a cozy coffee or hot cocoa bar with festive cups is perfect for anyone who’d rather skip the bubbly.

Here are a few easy drink ideas you can serve at your Friendsgiving brunch:

• Apple Cider Mimosas
• Apple Cider Mojitos
• Caramel Apple Sangria
• Sparkling White Sangria
• Hot Spiced Apple Cider

Surprise Your Friends with a Thoughtful Touch

The best part of any Friendsgiving party is spending time together, but it’s always fun to add a few small surprises that make your friends and family feel extra special.

You could set a small treat or gift at each place setting, like mini pies packed in brown boxes and tied with ribbon and printable labels, a mini loaf of pumpkin bread, or a jar of your favorite fall snack mix. Add a tag or handwritten note to make it personal. It’s a sweet way to say “thanks for being here” and something your friends can take home and enjoy later.

Another thoughtful idea is to write a short note to each friend sharing why you’re thankful for them, then attach the card to a mini bottle of champagne at each place setting. It’s simple but meaningful…and it pairs perfectly with a mimosa bar or a certain signature apple cider cocktail (hint, hint).

If you’re still looking for more Friendsgiving gift ideas, check out my list of easy homemade favors and DIY projects that your guests will love to take home.

Here are a few more ideas to surprise your friends and send them home with a thoughtful Friendsgiving party gift:

• Jars filled with homemade granola
• Custom monogrammed mugs with tea bags
• Fall-scented candles
• DIY holiday simmer pot mix
• Fall sachets
• Gourmet soaps, bath bombs, or bath salts

However you choose to surprise your guests, it’s those small, thoughtful details. like these Friendsgiving gift ideas that make your party feel extra special and leave everyone smiling long after the celebration is over.

Share the Leftovers (and the Love)

At the end of the party, invite guests to fill small takeout boxes with leftovers to enjoy later. Add printable “Friendsgiving To-Go” tags and tie each box with ribbon or twine for a simple, thoughtful touch.

It’s an easy way to share extra food, cut down on waste, and send everyone home with a little reminder of the day.

Shop The Post

Want to recreate this look at home? I’ve linked all the finds I used in this post below! Please know that sometimes things sell out quickly, so if something isn’t available anymore, I’ve linked a similar item that you might love just as much. Happy shopping!

More Thanksgiving Posts You’ll Love

If you love this Friendsgiving party, you might also enjoy some of my other seasonal Thanksgiving favorites.

6 Simple Tips for Hosting a Friendsgiving to Remember

Thank you so much for stopping by today. It means the world to me that you take time out of your busy day to spend a little of it here with me.

I hope these five tips for hosting a Friendsgiving party inspire you and help take the stress out of planning your next holiday get-together with friends.

And don’t forget, if you’re looking for even more festive party recipes to try, be sure to check out this speical friendsgiving brunch menu. Trust me, there are some ah-mazing dishes you don’t want to miss!

Cheers and Happy Friendsgiving,

More Friendsgiving Party Ideas and Inspiration

Wait, there’s even more elegant Friendsgiving ideas and inspiration for you to see! 

I’ve partnered with my friends from our virtual supper club to bring you additional Friendsgiving party ideas, perfect for planning and hosting your own festive gathering.

Simply click on the links below to see more tablescapes for Friendsgiving. 

Jen at Midwest Life and Style | Anne & AnnMarie at Simply 2 Moms | Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse

Stacy at Bricks ‘n Blooms | Cindy at County Road 407 | Michele at Vintage Home Designs

Did You Enjoy this Post? PIN It for Later!