Traditionally Family-dedicated Holiday: Now for Friends
Traditionally, Thanksgiving has been the holiday that provides us with an excuse-less opportunity to see and spend time with our families, both immediate and extended. It is the day that we so anxiously await, as it brings all of our loved ones together to share a meal, memories and endless laughs. And while sometimes we aren’t so psyched to have to recount (for the 100th time) our life stories, the quality time this day provides is time that is cherished for years.
For many, however, those “loved ones” aren’t always those merely related by blood. In fact, for some of us, those loved ones are those who seem more like family than they do friends.
“Friendsgiving,” according to Urban Dictionary, is the “celebration of Thanksgiving dinner with your friends.” Given the non-traditionality of the occasion, there is no set date for it to occur. However, Friendsgivings typically take place within a week of the original holiday.
For those unable to make a long trip home to see their families, Friendsgivings are perfect opportunities to share a meal with others who are closer (*Cue Friends Season 5, Episode 8: "The One With All the Thanksgivings"*). For others, this turkey day spinoff is a continuation of the conventional Thanksgiving festivities. After all, hosting an additional feast is the perfect excuse to extend the holiday, right?
“I think it is important that this holiday has become more inclusive of friends because while my family is really important to me, I also love to spend time with my friends,” said Elon sophomore Emma Barowich. “I think it is also rare that I actually get to sit down and eat a meal with all of my friends at the same time.”
Barowich, along with many other college students, finds that hosting a Friendsgiving is one of the few opportunities she has to see and “hang out with all of my friends who I don’t get to see very often,” she said.
In fact, Barowich loves Friendsgiving feasts so much that she has hosted two of her own in the past, and will be hosting another this year. And, if your friends feel as inclined as hers do, they’ll offer to help furnish the table with savory dishes.
“I love being a hostess,” Barowich said. “Everyone makes a dish and brings it, so thankfully I don’t have to do all of the cooking.”
Not only does Barowich enjoy hosting, but so does her mother, whose home became significantly more empty once Barowich left for school.
“My mom loves to have everyone over,” Barowich said. “After last year’s Friendsgiving she told me it was really nice to have the house full again.”
The increasingly popular holiday that has so fittingly coined the name “Friendsgiving” is tearing down the ‘family-only’ label on the holiday. After all, why should we limit seats at the table to kin?
“Not everyone has a great family, but everyone deserves a good Thanksgiving,” said Elon sophomore Catherine Nester. “Friends can be a kind of family and definitely something to be thankful for.”
Feel free to browse the links below for tips on hosting a memorable Friendsgiving of your own!
Free People Blog: https://blog.freepeople.com/2016/11/guide-hosting-friendsgiving/
The Food Network: https://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-how-tos/how-to-host-an-amazing-friendsgiving
The Manual: https://www.themanual.com/culture/friendsgiving-explains-tips-ideas/