Halloween has ended, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Many families will come together to celebrate with a big dinner together. Although recently, a popular trend amongst teens is ‘Friendsgiving.’ Friendsgiving is a time where groups of friends come together for  dinner, being able to hang out and converse together during the Thanksgiving season.

Thanksgiving dinners are one of the most popular activities during the season. Families will often contribute to bringing foods, such as turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, bread, and much more. Turkey originally became the most common Thanksgiving food, because they are larger than geese, chickens, and other birds, making them easy to feed to larger families and groups.

Thanksgiving is a time meant for gratefulness and celebration. Many families will have big gatherings, where they are able to eat together and express things in their life that they are thankful for. Freshman Mikayla Green shares, “Usually on Thanksgiving I go to my moms side of the family. My Grandmother usually makes Filipino food because my family is from the Philippines.” 

On the other hand, Friendsgiving is a similar concept. Most friends will have dinner together, where everyone will contribute to bringing different Thanksgiving foods. They aren’t often held on Thanksgiving day, where that day is mostly for family gatherings. “Friendsgiving is a more laid back time to appreciate and celebrate with your friends,” Senior Charvi Bethu claims. 

People often compare Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving by the formality of the event. Some families have Thanksgiving photoshoots, on top of the dinner gatherings that are held. Religious families will often say prayers of what they are thankful for, while friends have more casual discussions, about their life and what is happening.

On the other hand, Friendsgiving is more of a time to hang out with your friends, making and eating food, while having fun conversations together. “I think the biggest difference between Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving is spending time with people you were forced to love versus people that you choose to love. Also, during Friendsgiving you are able to experience a bunch of peoples different takes on Thanksgiving, while going to your family Thanksgiving is that same every year,” Green emphasizes. 

Both Thanksgiving events are a fun experience for people, allowing families and friends to come together during a time of gratitude.