How to host a Friendsgiving

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This article was written by a student author from the chapter “Her Campus at St. Andrews.”

Thanksgiving is a classic American tradition dedicated to food, friends and gratitude. But when studying at St Andrew’s it’s strange not to have a day of turkey and cake. This is where Friendsgiving comes in, a casual and fun way to recreate your day with friends, no matter where you are in the world.

This year I decided to introduce my British friends to the most wonderful holiday by hosting a Friendsgiving dinner. It was a mix of American traditions, British inspiration and laughter. Here’s how I planned it, what worked, and why it was one of the most memorable evenings of the year.

Create the setting: decorations and invitations

Every holiday is fully decorated and I wanted the atmosphere of my Friendsgiving to feel festive and cozy. I ordered paper turkey plates, a Friendsgiving banner and some autumnal napkins from Amazon as Tesco wasn’t exactly full of Thanksgiving decorations. These small details transformed my student apartment into a warm, inviting space.

The planning started with cute Canva invitations that I sent out to all my friends. I also created a Google Spreadsheet for potluck food tasks because I didn’t want five people bringing mashed potatoes and no dessert.

The dinner

Cooking for Friendsgiving in a flat kitchen is an experience. I chose the main course, roast chicken, because the turkey was too large (and intimidating) to handle in a student-sized oven. I also made stuffing and pumpkin pie. It was impossible to find canned pumpkin in Fife so I had to buy it from the US on Amazon Prime.

One of the best parts of Friendsgiving is the potluck meal. My friends brought a mix of classic American sides and dishes with a British twist. We had macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, roasted parsnips and even creative experiments like Brussels sprouts with bacon. It was a delicious fusion of two food cultures and sharing our traditions gave the evening a special meaning.

White elephant game

After stuffing ourselves with food, it was time for some entertainment. I introduced my friends to a favorite family tradition: the White Elephant gift exchange. The rules are simple: everyone brings a wrapped gift worth around £10 and puts it in a pile. Players take turns choosing a gift or “stealing” one that has already been opened.

Quick tips for hosting Friendsgiving abroad

If you’re an American in St. Andrews looking to host your own Friendsgiving, here are some tips to make it go smoothly and enjoyable:

1. Plan ahead: Ingredients such as pumpkin pie filling, marshmallows and cranberry sauce can be hard to find at Tesco or Morrisons. Take the time to order them online or find replacements.
2. Keep it simple: A small kitchen is not ideal for gourmet cooking. Stick with dishes that you enjoy making and have your friends bring lots of sides or desserts.
3. Celebrate the Mixture: Encourage your friends to add their cultural flair to the food. The mix of traditions makes it an even richer experience.
4. Decorate wisely: A few small, themed decorations can transform your space. Think banners, fairy lights and festive tableware.
5. Relax and have fun: Friendsgiving is not about perfection, but about gratitude and connection. Don’t worry about the little things.

Why friendships are important

For me, Friendsgiving wasn’t just about the food or the games; It was about creating a feeling of home and being far away at the same time. Sharing Thanksgiving with my friends allowed me to bring a little piece of America to Scotland and in turn learn about their traditions.