Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving Invitation Wording
Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving invitations do two jobs. They tell people when to show up, and they sort out who is cooking what. Clear wording saves you from three pumpkin pies and no potatoes. Here are examples to copy and a simple plan for the potluck.
What to include
- The day and date. Friendsgiving is often held on a weekend near the holiday, so spell it out.
- Two times: when to arrive and when the meal is served.
- The full address and parking notes.
- What you are providing and what guests should bring.
- A question about allergies and dietary needs.
- Whether kids, partners and extra guests are welcome.
- An RSVP deadline, about ten days ahead, so you can size the main dish.
Thanksgiving dinner wording
- "Please join us for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. Come at 2 pm, dinner is at 4. 18 Chestnut Street. Reply by November 17."
- "Our table has room for you. Thanksgiving at the Johnsons', Thursday at 3 pm. Just bring an appetite."
- "Gather with us to give thanks. Dinner is at 5 pm, with football and pie before and after."
Friendsgiving wording
Friendsgiving is looser, and the wording can be too.
- "The family dinner comes later. This one is for us. Friendsgiving on November 22, at 5 pm. We roast the bird, you bring the rest."
- "Chosen family, borrowed chairs and too much pie. Friendsgiving on November 23, at 4 pm."
- "No family drama, just good food. Friendsgiving potluck, November 21, at 7 pm."
- "Staying in town for the holiday? So are we. Dinner is on Thursday at 3 pm, and there is a seat with your name on it."
Potluck wording that works
Tell guests which dish the host is covering, then give them categories to choose from. It is the simplest way to get a balanced table.
One caution on allergies: a home kitchen, let alone six of them, can't guarantee a dish is free of an allergen. Tell the guest what is planned and let them decide what is safe to eat.
- "The main dish is on us. Everything around it is up for grabs: pick a side, a salad, a dessert or drinks."
- "Tell us your dish when you reply, and we'll steer you away from a fourth mac and cheese."
- "Our oven will be full, so bring food that is already hot or happy at room temperature."
- "If cooking isn't your thing, you're on ice, bread or drinks duty."
- "Please bring a card that lists what's in your dish, especially nuts, dairy and gluten."
Host checklist
- Count seats, plates and glasses before you set the guest list.
- Decide the main dish and tell guests what it is.
- Set the arrival time a good hour before you plan to serve.
- Ask one person to bring ice and one to bring extra serving spoons.
- Plan containers for leftovers, or ask guests to bring their own.
- Two days before, send everyone the final time and the list of dishes.
Sending it as a video invitation
A potluck plan that lives in a group text gets buried within a day, and then nobody remembers who claimed the potatoes. Blast makes an animated video invitation with music that you share as a link; the time, the address and a short note about what to bring stay in one place, and guests RSVP from the invite without an account. Blast is free to create and send.
Related guides
What is the difference between Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving?
Thanksgiving is the holiday meal on the Thursday, usually with relatives. Friendsgiving is a casual version with friends, most often a potluck held on a nearby weekend so it doesn't compete with family plans.
How do I ask guests to bring a dish?
Say what you are providing, then list categories: a side, a salad, a dessert or drinks. Ask guests to tell you what they will bring so nothing is doubled.
Can I put the potluck plan on a Blast invitation?
Yes. Along with the date, time and address you can add a short note, which is the place for what you are cooking and what guests should bring. Everyone who opens the link sees the same note.