Thanksgiving is for family, but Friendsgiving—well, it’s in the name.
Much like its more traditional counterpart—Friendsgiving is about food and celebrating the important things in life. Its origins are murky, but the Internet is filled with different suggestions for how to throw this pal-filled party.
Friendsgiving can occur the Wednesday before or the Friday after Thanksgiving and usually takes the form of a potluck, according to the blog for Stitch, a technology company.
The host can make the turkey and gravy, and the rest is left up to the guests. Guests can bring leftovers or excess Thanksgiving food or prepare a whole new dish for the occasion.
Stuffing, pies, potatoes—there’s no pressure and anything goes.
Friendsgiving is a foreign concept to sophomore legal studies major Jessica Cauffman, but she isn’t opposed to the idea.
“I’ve never even heard about this, honestly. I think it would be fun, though, celebrating Thanksgiving with all of my friends,” she said.
Khaled Abu-Gdairi, a freshman pre-dental major, felt the same. Friendships are just as important as family, he said.
“You are born with family, so that bond is almost guaranteed, but great friendships are almost a rarity,” he said. “You have to go out, meet these people and you create a bond with them. I think that wanting to show someone that you're thankful for them should never be turned down.”
Other students find a deeper meaning in the holiday, too.
Junior telecommunications major Bryson Maesch’s Friendsgiving is connected to his church on campus, The Revolution. He is a leader in a weekly small group called House Church, and every year, the individual House Churches come together on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and have a huge meal, talk and spend time together.
He said it’s a good opportunity to catch up with old friends and see how everyone is doing.
“It is a time where I can forget about the stress of projects, homework and other busy work going on around campus and just focus in on some relaxing, meaningful conversations,” he said.
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