There’s something about this time of year that makes me want to slow down and take stock of all the good things in my life.
Of course, the stores have other plans. 😂
Halloween is already on clearance, Thanksgiving has been squeezed into one lonely aisle, and Christmas has practically taken over the entire store. And judging by the faces of some of the women pushing their shopping carts, the holiday stress has already begun!
Meanwhile, here in Southern California, the leaves are still taking their sweet time figuring out that it’s fall.
But maybe that’s exactly why I love the idea of Friendsgiving. Before the holiday whirlwind really gets going, it’s a chance to pause, gather with people we love, and remember what we’re grateful for. And this year, I had a few Friendsgiving ideas for celebrating some very special ladies I wanted to celebrate.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. Your support helps keep the FUN going here at Fun with Fun-Size, and I truly appreciate it! ❤️
A Friendsgiving with a Little Extra Meaning
I’m part of a wonderful group of faith-filled women from my church who gather monthly for dinner, Bible study, and prayer. But these ladies do so much more than study Scripture together. They show up for one another. Through the good, the difficult, and all those ordinary moments in between.
So when it was my turn to host, I knew I wanted to do something a little special to let them know how grateful I am for their friendship. My own version of Friendsgiving seemed like the perfect fit!
Now, you know me. Give me a reason to set a pretty table and gather people together, and I’m in. But I also wanted the evening to be about more than the decorations. A little beauty, a little laughter, and a whole lot of gratitude. ❤️
Friendsgiving Decorating: Shop Your Stash First!
Before you start filling your shopping cart with fall decorations, here’s my favorite piece of entertaining advice: Shop your own closets and seasonal bins first!
I’m a big believer in reusing what I already have and finding new ways to make it feel fresh. Besides, half the fun is rediscovering things I’d forgotten I owned. 😂
For this Friendsgiving, I pulled together a mix of old favorites, inexpensive flowers, and a few thoughtful details.
Bringing Fall into the Dining Room
Remember those DIY Hanging Fall Leaves I made several years ago? Well, they’re still going strong!
I carefully stored the leaf tendrils wrapped in tissue paper, and thanks to the Mod Podge I used when making them, the colors were still beautifully vibrant. A few leaves had broken, but overall, they held up surprisingly well.
I hung them from the existing ceiling hooks in my dining room, and just like that, fall had arrived! Which is more than I can say for the trees outside. 🍂😂
Setting the Friendsgiving Table
I wanted the table to feel warm, welcoming, and a little special without going overboard. And, as usual, I started with what I already had.
The Table Décor
- White linen tablecloth: I love layering, and this gave me a nice foundation.
- Fall leaf tablecloth: A pretty way to carry the autumn theme onto the table.
- Burlap table runner: This one is at least 15 years old! It added texture while giving the eye a little break from the busy leaf pattern underneath.
- Decorative pumpkins: An assortment of sizes, shapes, and styles collected over the years.
- Votive candles: Because candlelight is cheaper than Botox, and we all look fabulous in it. 😉
- Small floral arrangements: Simple vases of varying heights scattered down the center of the table.
For the flowers, I made a last-minute run to Trader Joe’s. And by last-minute, I mean I was pretty much at the mercy of whatever flowers were left that looked remotely like fall. 😂 It was a bit of a scramble, but I made it work!
I used a collection of small glass vases I’d purchased (a set of 16), which have already come in handy for several gatherings. They’re one of those purchases that keep earning their keep.
The Place Settings
Here’s where things got a little fancier than I’d originally planned. I pulled out my gold chargers, and they looked so pretty against the fall colors that I thought, why not?
I kept the rest of the place settings simple:
- White dinner plates: So they wouldn’t compete with the patterned linens
- Olive green corduroy napkins: I’ve had these for years, and I love their rich color and texture. I found a similar color option here.
- Everyday silverware and water glasses: No need to bring out the fancy stuff for everything!
The combination felt warm, layered, and just dressy enough to make the evening feel special. And best of all, I hadn’t spent a fortune creating it.
What’s for Dinner? Not Turkey! 😂
Just because I was hosting Friendsgiving didn’t mean I needed to serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Besides, I’m a working gal, and the last thing I needed was to spend the day wrestling a turkey! Instead, I made my trusty Chicken Divan casserole—a make-ahead favorite that meant one less thing to worry about when I got home from work.
And because these ladies know how to show up for a gathering, everyone pitched in with salads, rolls, appetizers, dessert, and wine. The result? A wonderful meal, plenty of variety, and a hostess who actually had time to enjoy her own party. Now THAT’S something to be thankful for!
Looking for more Thanksgiving table inspiration? Check out my Blue-Tiful Thanksgiving Brunch Tablescape for another fun twist on traditional fall decorating. Who says Thanksgiving has to be all orange and brown? 😉
A Little Friendsgiving Favor with a Lot of Heart
Since I was hosting our Bible study in October, I wanted to incorporate something especially meaningful to our Catholic faith.
October is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, a beautiful prayer that draws us closer to Christ as we reflect on His life through the eyes of His mother, Mary.
And I had the sweetest little idea. A dear friend had given me an adorable miniature figurine of the Blessed Virgin Mary, knowing how much she means to me. I fell in love with it immediately! And since I’d previously given the ladies little Jesus figurines, it seemed only fitting that Mary should join the family. ❤️
I ordered mini Mary figurines for everyone and created a coordinating prayer card in Canva.
Of course, I couldn’t just hand them out like that. This is Fun with Fun-Size, after all. A little jeuging was required! 😂 I nestled each figurine in a fall-themed baking cup, wrapped it in a clear cellophane bag, tied it with a bow, and added a “Grateful for You” gift tag.
They looked adorable at each place setting and served as a little reminder of how much these friendships mean to me.
FUN-SIZE BONUS: I’ve made the prayer cards available as a FREE printable in my subscriber Resource Library!
A Gratitude & Intentions Station
This may have been my favorite part of the evening. I wanted the ladies to have a chance to pause and settle in after their busy days before we gathered for dinner and Bible study.
So near the entrance, I created a simple Gratitude & Intentions Station. Nothing elaborate. Just a framed sign, a candle, some paper, pens, and a small box.
I invited each guest to write down:
- One thing she was grateful for.
- One thing she was praying for.
They folded their papers and placed them in the box.
Later, I brought the box into our Bible study gathering, where we spent time reflecting on gratitude and offering our intentions in prayer. At the end of the evening, we shared our intentions with one another so we could continue praying for and supporting each other.
The written papers were later burned as a symbolic offering of our prayers.
It was a simple activity, but a meaningful reminder to slow down, acknowledge our blessings, and remember that we don’t have to carry our worries alone.
Making Friendsgiving Your Own
Now, I realize this wasn’t your typical Friendsgiving. Along with good food, plenty of laughter, and catching up, we spent time in prayer and reflecting on God’s blessings—especially the friendships we’ve found in one another.
But Friendsgiving doesn’t have to look like mine! Whether it’s a potluck with girlfriends, dinner with neighbors, or a gathering of friends who’ve become family, the idea is the same: celebrating the people we’re grateful for.
A few ways to make it your own:
- Create a gratitude station: Invite guests to share something they’re thankful for. Read them aloud, tuck them into a keepsake jar, or use them as conversation starters.
- Add a thoughtful favor: A homemade treat or handwritten note can make guests feel special.
- Shop your stash: Mix and match what you already have to create a welcoming table without spending a fortune.
And if your Friendsgiving consists of takeout, paper plates, and everyone showing up in sweatpants? That sounds pretty wonderful, too. 😂
As I looked around my table that evening, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Not because of the decorations (although I did love how they turned out!), but because of the women gathered around it. Women who pray together, laugh together, and show up for one another.
And maybe that’s the real beauty of Friendsgiving. It’s not about creating the perfect gathering, but appreciating the people who make our lives a little fuller.
Happy Friendsgiving, Fun-Size Friend! ❤️🍂
More Fun-Size Inspiration
If you love easy entertaining ideas, beautiful tablescapes, and thoughtful little touches, subscribe to Fun with Fun-Size! You’ll get my latest posts and access to my exclusive Resource Library, filled with printables and other Fun-Size goodies.
And with the holidays just around the corner, I’ve got plenty of festive FUN coming your way—from creative entertaining ideas and holiday traditions to hostess gifts, gift guides, and a little Christmas magic! You won’t want to miss it!
Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for even more inspiration!