HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Friendsgiving is a modern tradition that brings friends together to celebrate and give thanks. It's usually celebrated on or around the time of Thanksgiving as an alternative. Unlike Thanksgiving, which is traditionally spent with family, Friendsgiving is an opportunity to gather with close friends and enjoy a festive meal. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You It’s all about celebrating the important friendships in your life and taking time to appreciate one another. While the meal might include classic Thanksgiving foods, the focus is on fun, friendship and creating new memories and traditions. Friendsgiving can be celebrated at any time in the month of November, but it is often held on the weekend before or after Thanksgiving. This allows friends who may not be able to join family celebrations to still have a chance to celebrate and share a meal together. How to celebrate Friendsgiving Celebrating Friendsgiving can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Here are some basic steps to hosting a great Friendsgiving gathering: Pick a date and venue Since Friendsgiving is usually celebrated before or after the official Thanksgiving holiday, choose a date that works for your group. You can host it at home, rent a space or even celebrate outdoors if the weather permits. Send invitations You can invite your friends via text, email, create an event on social media or even a traditional snail mail formal invitation. Make sure to let them know if there are any special instructions (e.g., potluck style, bring a dish or a specific theme). Plan the menu One of the most important parts of Friendsgiving is the food. It’s common to serve classic Thanksgiving dishes, like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and pumpkin and pecan pies. However, you can get creative with the menu! If your friends come from different cultural backgrounds, you can mix in foods from various traditions and cultures. Potluck style or make It yourself Many people choose to celebrate Friendsgiving with a potluck-style dinner where each guest brings a dish to share. This makes the event easier for the host and allows everyone to contribute. If you prefer, you can have a single person (like the host) prepare all the food; but a potluck gives everyone a chance to share their favorite recipes or try something new. Decorate the space Friendsgiving is a great excuse to add some seasonal touches to your home. You can decorate with autumn colors, pumpkins, candles and leaves to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. If you’re having a Friendsgiving dinner in a non-traditional space (like an outdoor picnic or a rented venue), simple decorations like string lights, fairy lights or themed centerpieces can also make the event feel special. Games and activities After dinner, you can enjoy some fun activities together. Playing games like interactive app games, board games, card games or even a trivia quiz can keep the mood lively. You could also go around the room and ask everyone to share something they’re thankful for or create a gratitude jar where everyone writes down a note of thanks to put in the jar. Sharing memories Friendsgiving is all about making memories. Take photos, share stories and spend time laughing and bonding. This is your chance to create new traditions with your closest friends that you can look forward to every year. Why celebrate Friendsgiving? Friendsgiving is important because it’s an opportunity to express gratitude and strengthen the bond you share with your friends. While Thanksgiving is often focused on family, Friendsgiving allows you to show appreciation for your chosen family, your friends. It’s a reminder that gratitude isn’t just about the big things in life but also about the people who support you and bring joy to your life. Celebrating Friendsgiving also gives you a chance to be creative and have fun. You can make it as casual or as fancy as you want, depending on the vibe you and your friends are going for. It’s a great way to take a break from the busy holiday season and enjoy the company of the people who mean the most to you. Themes and ideas for Friendsgiving There are many fun themes and ideas you can incorporate into your Friendsgiving celebration. Here are a few: Potluck style: Have everyone bring their favorite dish. This adds variety to the meal and takes the pressure off the host. Thanksgiving with a twist: Try making the meal international by including dishes from different cultures, like Italian pasta or Mexican enchiladas alongside turkey and stuffing. DIY decorations: Have a craft station where guests can create their own place settings, name tags, or other fun decorations. Gratitude wall: Create a space where people can write down what they are thankful for and add it to a wall or board. Costume party: Add a fun twist by having a Thanksgiving costume party where everyone dresses up in a funny or creative outfit. Friendsgiving charity: Instead of a gift exchange, organize a volunteer event or donate to a charity as a group to give back during the holiday season. Friendsgiving is a wonderful way to celebrate friendship, make memories and show gratitude. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Whether you're hosting a small dinner or a large gathering, the most important thing is that you're spending time with people you care about and creating a festive, joyful atmosphere together.