For many of us, our friends are like family. They are the people who know us the best, have seen us at our worst and love us just the same. 

What is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving is a celebration that is popular among millennials and young adults. It typically occurs the weekend before or after Thanksgiving when friends come together to give thanks and enjoy one another over a meal. While some families are opting to assemble with a socially distanced tradition, a virtual gathering is also a great idea to put on the table, figuratively speaking. We’ve come up with a few tips for hosting this day, virtually. 

Planning a Virtual Friendsgiving 

Decide on the best virtual option. 

Facebook rooms, Zoom and Google Meet or Hangouts offer free basic services for virtual groups, while other sites like GoToMeetings and Toasty provide more interactive options for those who prefer increased engagement experiences.  

Don't skimp on the wardrobe. 

Dress up, just like you normally would for the occasion. Better yet, come up with a theme, like a trending Netflix series and have your guests dress like their favorite characters. 

Make it fun. 

Host a virtual trivia game on Kahoot. Or play a virtual round of The Guessing Game.

Rules for The Guessing Game:

Each guest presents 3 dishes to the group. Two of the dishes can be store-bought, but at least one has to be cooked by the presenter. It is up to the other guests to determine which dish was cooked by that person.

Create a menu and have everyone “share” the dish they created. 

You can also “share” your top wine picks this way, too. For a more traditional feel, have participants prepare dishes in advance and coordinate times for delivery to one another. 

Forget the rules.

Friendsgiving can be as traditional or as untraditional as you would like. Many people like the idea of getting away from the classic combos of turkey and dressing in exchange for more out-of-the-box meal ideas. You could also order curbside and skip the kitchen altogether. Check out a few of our local favorites to order food so you and your guests can all enjoy the same meal.

Seven Local Options for Catered Cuisine

Tacos 4 Life - If you are hoping to stay away from the traditional tastes, this local favorite offers a tempting variety of tacos, quesadillas, rice bowls, salads and nachos. From citrus-infused tacos to spicy southwest nachos, you and your guests will be thankful throughout this meal. For more info, visit their website. BONUS: with every purchase Tacos 4 Life will donate a meal to a child in need. How’s that for sharing the Friendsgiving spirit? 

Petit & Keet - Prime rib and poblano macaroni and cheese are on the menu. Reserve your holiday feast on their website.

Whole Hog Cafe - Enjoy a southern favorite with some serious flavor. Sample the brisket, pulled pork or mouth watering ribs. For more info, visit their website. 

Pizza Cafe - What’s not to love about pizza on a holiday? Or any day, for that matter. And if you’re not in the mood for pizza, they also offer salads, wings, sandwiches and more. For more info, visit their website. 

Two Sisters - If you can think of it, they can cook it. Enjoy the comfort of home-cooked food from this family-owned eatery. For more info, visit their website. 

Catering to You - The holiday menu at this Little Rock diner comes with chicken and dressing, in addition to classic sides and desserts like green bean casserole, mac n cheese and your pick of pie. For more info, visit their website. 

RX Catering - You’ll find both hot and cold options at this central Arkansas cafe.The baked linguine and side salad are favorites among local diners. For more info, visit their website.