What’s better than a sweet kids table at Thanksgiving? Their own Friendsgiving party!
When I decided to host a Friendsgiving for my son and his four little friends, I knew I was in for an adventure. At ages 4 and 5, these little humans are a whirlwind of energy, curiosity, and unpredictability—and this gathering was no exception. I originally wanted to host a cute Halloween party for them but time came and went so fast that it didn’t come to fruition. This little group of friends came to be in day care which started about 2 years ago and in this last season, we’ve all experienced leaving day care and attending different schools. I knew I wanted them to have a little celebration before us parents got so busy with the Christmas season. The date was set to exactly one week before Thanksgiving and a cute digital Friendsgiving invite, with a compilation of pictures of the kids and their friendship, was then sent to each of the Moms.
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So I gathered some of my autumn decor and got to decorating and making a DIY “popcorn” on the cob treat. Each of their place settings included a cute edible chocolate autumn creature, and those went faster than anything. We managed to share a moment at the table attempting to eat turkey burgers made from scratch with some H-E-B Cranberry Orange sauce with a mozzarella cheese slice melted on a brioche hawaiian bun. Add to that macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes, and I thought for sure, they’d be happy to eat. "Kid-friendly" quickly translated to very little eating and requests for the cupcakes and some ice cream instead. Their apple juice boxes were the only finished item at that point.
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Between ravaging toys and running all over my small apartment, watching these little friends giggle, share, and create memories reminded me that Friendsgiving isn't about perfect decorations or yummy dishes. It's about connection, joy, and the pure, unfiltered happiness of childhood. We shared a game of hot tater tot (think hot potato) and a craft project of coloring scarecrow paper dolls, that the parents ended up assembling.
Us Moms caught up on the latest happenings with the kids and enjoyed conversation over some Fall sangria and a charcuterie board, as the children continued to play. Out came the cupcakes and there was a solid short moment of quiet. Luckily, I had enough individual sized chocolate and vanilla ice creams too, because that was the top request I hadn’t planned for.
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As the evening wound down and our guests got ready to head home and start their bedtime routines—sticky, tired, and impossibly happy—I realized we had created something special: a perfectly imperfect celebration of friendship and gratitude. One I hope we can continue to nurture for years to come.
The beauty of Friendsgiving lies in its flexibility—these gatherings can happen before or after the traditional Thanksgiving Day, offering a more relaxed alternative to the sometimes-stressful family holiday. Friendsgiving tends to feel low-pressure and easier fun.
Now to enjoy the rest of this week off of school around Houston!
Happy Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving to all 🧡
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