A Friendsgiving Celebration: The Ideal Fall Festivity for Teens

You’ve probably heard of that delightful way to honor your friends in the fall: Friendsgiving. It’s a day dedicated to feasting and expressing gratitude for your pals, which works perfectly in my household since my kids aren’t particularly enthusiastic about the traditional turkey-centric holiday.

Every year, I find myself gearing up for Thanksgiving with excitement. I feel compelled to buy a new outfit in autumn colors, transform my dining room into a colorful gourd display, and spend hours crafting chocolate leaves for my signature chocolate pie. Yes, I literally paint melted chocolate onto leaves, freeze them, and arrange them around the pie’s edge in a fancy circular pattern. I even melt dark, milk, and white chocolate to achieve that ombre effect.

I also whip up homemade whipped cream for my pie, even though my teenagers prefer Cool Whip. I’m hopeful that their taste will evolve, so I continue to whip my own cream. I do all of this to create a special atmosphere for my kids and encourage them to reflect on their blessings. However, they often show little interest; they stroll in wearing hoodies, wondering why I’m acting like my mother, and ask when they “have to eat.”

It’s clear that kids, especially teenagers, aren’t particularly fond of Thanksgiving, so what better way to engage them than by organizing their own Friendsgiving?

I’ve experienced a few Friendsgiving gatherings, and I adore them. We bring only our favorite dishes, everyone can contribute without the pressure of cooking from scratch (okay, I might still do that), and there’s no enforced cheerfulness as we sit around the table buttering rolls.

If you have teens, why not assist them in planning a Friendsgiving celebration this year? It doesn’t have to be extravagant; you can offer to handle the grocery shopping after they create a list. This way, they’ll take charge of the rest of the planning, allowing them to focus on what matters most: spending time with friends in a setting that’s different from school or the usual pizza nights spent staring at phones.

Here are some ideas for a fun, hassle-free Friendsgiving for your teens:

Encourage them to create a shopping list of dishes they want to prepare and reach out to friends to ask everyone to bring their favorite dish.
Look for cute crafts like name cards on Pinterest to make beforehand.
Suggest activities for after the meal, such as a movie marathon, board games, or a friendly game of flag football.
Find a nearby scenic spot for a group walk.
Support them in hosting, but let them take the lead.
If a full meal seems too much, consider hosting a dessert party instead.
Provide supplies for making holiday ornaments.
Have everyone bring a favorite Thanksgiving recipe on a card, then draw new recipes to try at home.
Encourage storytelling around favorite Thanksgiving memories.

By hosting their own Friendsgiving, your teens will not only learn about planning and hosting but also enjoy the camaraderie of celebrating with friends. This could spark a cherished tradition for years to come, and you get to sit back and enjoy the festivities.

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Summary:

Friendsgiving is a fantastic way for teens to celebrate their friendships during the fall season. By allowing them to plan their own gathering, they can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with their favorite dishes and activities, fostering gratitude and camaraderie among friends.