How to Throw Friendsgiving, Penn Style

It’s that time of the year again: the weather is crisp, the leaves are beautiful, and Thanksgiving is around the corner… which means it’s also time for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving’s friend–oriented sibling. Friendsgiving is a great way to bond with friends and potentially meet new ones, especially at Penn, where new friends are around every corner. Here are some tips for Friendsgiving success! 

Figure out a guest list

Whether you want to invite everyone you’ve ever met or just your core group of friends, take time to figure out your guest list. Remember, Friendsgiving is about enjoying time together and having fun! If you don’t feel comfortable, the experience will be ruined. If you’re co–planning with other friends, make sure all of you are on the same page, so your cozy get–together doesn’t accidentally turn into a full–on party. 

*The Penn Factor: You could always turn this into a bonding sesh for you and your hallmates (and perhaps convince your RA to use some of their designated funds…).

Set a date and start planning early

Nearly every weekend at Penn has some planned social event, game, concert, or excursion — which is great if you want something to do on a random Saturday, but inconvenient if you’re trying to coordinate multiple people’s schedules. 

If you (and your friends) want to have a celebration, get together and figure out what day works, which could be before or after Thanksgiving break. Set a date and factor in what will be happening around that time, not only in your life but also in the lives of the people you plan to invite. Do you have a major exam the next day? Do all your friends have tutoring or swim practice? Is everyone going to the football game? These are all things to consider.

*The Penn Factor: Make sure to coordinate with your RAs or whoever you need permission from to use kitchens and lounge areas. Every dorm has a different policy; a lot of kitchens in the Quad, for example, require an RA to be present at all times, while other kitchens have few rules besides cleaning up after you’re done.

The most important part…FOOD!

Friendsgiving is all about the food (and the friends, but definitely also the food)! The beauty of Friendsgiving is that you can have pretty much whatever you want, from mashed potatoes to mac ‘n’ cheese to paneer makhani — alongside every type of dessert. You can have the host handle all the food, make it a potluck–style event, or some combination of the two.  

If you and your friends plan on doing all the cooking, make a grocery list and set a budget based on who’s contributing: will your guests chip in if they aren’t bringing food, or are they expected to just come and enjoy the feast? Make these expectations clear. 

The potluck option is equally valid. That being said, you don’t want five pumpkin pies or four different versions of stuffing. Use an Excel spreadsheet or even just a piece of notebook paper to keep track of who’s bringing what and how many of each course you have — appetizers, entrees, desserts, etc. — to ensure there’s a little bit of everything. 

Overall, try and vary what foods you have. Keep track of dietary restrictions, and make sure you also have plates, utensils, and napkins. Most of all, dig in and enjoy the good food!

Communicate with your guests

You can do as much or as little as you want to for Friendsgiving — dress up or stay in sweatpants, give out cute invitations or send out mass texts — but make sure your guests know about those details. If you want to take cute pictures in coordinating sweaters, text your friends ahead of time. On the other hand, if you know everyone has midterms and has been studying all day, make sure they know that it’s okay to show up in Penn merch and loungewear instead. Ensure that all your guests have all the information they need. 

*The Penn Factor: Penn is a huge campus, and each building has its own hidden gems perfect for get–togethers. That being said, make sure your guests know where to go and how to get there. Specify which building in the Quad or among the high rises, for example, and what lounge or floor.

At the end of it all, Friendsgiving is what you make of it. Have fun and Happy Friendsgiving! 

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