Planning Your Thanksgiving Block Party or Friendsgiving Celebration: A Neighborly Way to Celebrate the Season
As Thanksgiving draws near, it's the perfect time to gather with friends and neighbors to celebrate everything we're grateful for—and what better way to do that than with a fun block party, potluck dinner, or even a “Friendsgiving” celebration? Whether you’re celebrating with close family, your neighbors, or a group of friends, hosting a community-focused event can be a great way to make the season extra special while giving back to those in need. Here’s how to plan your own neighborhood celebration and make it a memorable, heartwarming event for all.
1. Get the Neighbors Involved: Host a Thanksgiving Block Party!
A Thanksgiving block party is a fantastic way to bring everyone together to celebrate the holiday in a relaxed, community-driven atmosphere. Here’s how to get started:
-
Pick a Date and Location: Choose a date that works for most residents, ideally the weekend before. If your neighborhood park has a pavilion or a common space, that can be a perfect venue, but you can also consider closing off a block or using a community center.
-
Send Out Invites: Create a flyer or online invitation (such as through a neighborhood Facebook group and right here on MyNeighborhoodNews.com) to let everyone know about the event. Include key details—date, time, and location—along with any items they should bring, such as a dish to share, a folding chair, or drinks.
-
Potluck Style: Potluck-style meals make Thanksgiving block parties extra special! Encourage neighbors to bring their favorite dish to share—whether it’s turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, or a dessert. Be sure to make a list of what dishes are already accounted for, so you don’t end up with 10 pumpkin pies and no cranberry sauce!
-
Set Up Games and Activities for All Ages: Plan for games, music, and activities that bring people of all ages together. Think lawn games like cornhole or a pumpkin carving contest for the kids. Playful competitions, such as a pie-eating contest or a "best-dressed Thanksgiving turkey" costume contest, can add a fun, festive vibe.
2. Host a "Friendsgiving" Celebration: A Smaller Gathering with Your Neighbor-Friends
If a large block party isn’t quite your style or you’re looking to celebrate with a smaller group of neighbors and friends, a "Friendsgiving" gathering is the way to go. Here’s how to make it personal and unique:
-
Invite Your Neighbors to "Friendsgiving": Ask your neighbors who you’re closest with to join you in hosting a cozy gathering. You can even invite those you haven’t gotten to know yet and use it as an opportunity to connect with your community.
-
Create a Fun Menu Together: A Friendsgiving meal is all about sharing food and creating memories. Have each person sign up to bring their favorite dish—this is a great way to mix up traditional dishes and try something new, like a neighbor’s family recipe or a fun twist on classic comfort foods.
-
Cozy Ambiance: Decorate your space with fall-inspired decor like pumpkins, candles, and table settings with warm, seasonal colors. Music, a warm fire pit, and even a photo booth with Thanksgiving props can make the night extra special.
-
Give Back Together: Since Thanksgiving is about gratitude, consider adding a charitable element to your Friendsgiving. You could ask guests to bring canned goods or non-perishable items for a local food pantry or organize a small donation drive to support families in need.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
3. Give Back with a Thanksgiving Event at the Neighborhood Park
Hosting a Thanksgiving event at your neighborhood park is another wonderful way to celebrate with your neighbors while giving back. Here’s how you can combine fun with philanthropy:
-
Plan a Craft Activity for Kids: Set up a table with simple craft supplies for kids to make Thanksgiving-themed projects, like handprint turkeys, paper pumpkin crafts, or thank-you cards for first responders and veterans. This gives kids a fun activity to focus on while the adults mingle and enjoy the holiday festivities.
-
Organize a Food Drive: Thanksgiving is a great time to give back to those in need. Partner with a local charity or food bank and ask attendees to bring canned goods, boxed food, or hygiene items to donate. Set up a donation station at the park where residents can drop off their contributions.
-
Fun, Family-Friendly Activities: In addition to the crafts, you can plan a few fun activities for families to enjoy. Set up a “Turkey Trot” race around the park, organize a pumpkin patch photo area, or host a scavenger hunt with Thanksgiving-themed clues for kids to find.
-
Create a Sense of Community: Encourage neighbors to bring their kids, pets, and friends. A Thanksgiving event at the park fosters a strong sense of community, where everyone can come together, share gratitude, and help others. Don’t forget to thank everyone for participating and remind them of the positive impact their donations will have.
4. Wrap Up the Celebration with Gratitude
At the end of your event, make sure to express your gratitude to everyone who came, whether it’s a quick thank-you during a toast, a group photo, or sending out thank-you notes or emails afterward. Gratitude is at the heart of Thanksgiving, and taking a moment to appreciate everyone’s contributions helps to foster even stronger community ties.
These event ideas are simple, yet effective ways to bring your neighbors together for a fun and meaningful holiday celebration. Don’t forget to invite everyone to pitch in, whether it’s contributing a dish or a donation, to make the event even more special for all.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
