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What Is Friendsgiving? The Growing Trend for Thanksgiving Celebrations

Thanksgiving is one of the most special days of the year

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It’s Here, It’s Here! Thanksgiving is finally here! This Thursday, November 27, people across the U.S. are celebrating. And we at LOS40 USA—the new LOS40 station in the United States—are excited to join in. Thanksgiving is one of the most special days of the year, a time to enjoy a delicious feast with loved ones, watch the iconic Macy’s Parade, and soak up a heartwarming cultural tradition.

If you’d rather celebrate Thanksgiving from the comfort of your home, you can catch the live parade broadcast on NBC. This year, Latin and Hispanic artists are taking the spotlight, with an incredible performance by Luísa Sonza! As this beloved holiday begins to gain traction in other parts of the world beyond the U.S. and Canada, a new trend has also taken off: Friendsgiving.

What Is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving is simply a version of Thanksgiving celebrated with friends. Thanksgiving is traditionally centered around family and holds the same importance as Christmas. But as times change, friendships—the ‘family you choose’—are becoming even more significant. That’s why Friendsgiving has become so popular, letting people decide who they want to spend this special day with.

The Purpose of Friendsgiving

The idea behind Friendsgiving makes a lot of sense. Being able to choose who you spend this celebration with can bring important mental health benefits, whether you have a good relationship with your family or not (let’s face it, some dinner table conversations are better left avoided). Psychologist Jaime Burque explains this by comparing it to Christmas.

“The problem is that it can turn into a constant obligation. Many people develop the irrational belief that they have to spend the holiday with their family, as if there’s no other choice,” Burque told Traveler magazine. “This belief, known in psychology as ‘shoulds,’ creates a lot of pressure. People feel forced to spend time with family—even if they don’t get along, even if they’d rather do something else, or even if they see them all year long and just want a change of scenery,” he adds. The results, according to him, are often clear: “nervousness, frustration, arguments, tense meals, guilt for not attending, and even conflicts.”

As for Friendsgiving, the plans are totally up to you. There are no strict rules, but most people stick to Thanksgiving traditions: roast turkey (or tofurky, a tofu-based turkey), cranberry sauce, pumpkin or pecan pie, mimosas, punch, and of course, a playlist that always includes Mariah Carey.

Want to learn more about American traditions and how they’re being adapted into our culture? Don’t forget to follow us on LOS40 USA’s social media channels!

Original article in Spanish by Ana Rojas for LOS40 Spain.

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