With Friendsgivings, we celebrate our chosen family and honor our safe spaces
Friendsgiving — a term that combines the words friends and Thanksgiving — first began appearing in print and online in 2007, according to Merriam-Webster.
Today it is widely understood as a gathering of friends for a meal during the holiday season. Friendsgivings are attended yearly by people across generations and identity groups – with data from Evite and Google Trends detailing that in 2019 over half a million people had been invited to a Friendsgiving event.
Unlike its elder sibling Thanksgiving, where one can find themselves forced annually into uncomfortable conversations about gender presentation, sexuality, politics, or body weight — one of the consistent joys of Friendsgiving is that it allows you to choose who you celebrate with.
Instead of being limited to just biological family members, Friendsgiving can extend to chosen family, friends, romantic partners, neighbors, or even college roommates.
