A Casual Friendsgiving Gathering {Hosting and Decor Ideas}

Enjoy some inspiration for simple fall friendsgiving table decor and a low-maintenance self-serve food station! Using simple fall decor and an easy crowd-feeding charcuterie board, be inspired to invite your friends over for a casual friendsgiving party.

It’s been a minute since you’ve seen my dining room. And while I haven’t spent much time decorating in here, I did paint the walls a beautiful Kendall Charcoal right after we first moved in.

But I haven’t tackled this space as far as makeovers go. I just moved in the furniture we had: my DIY farmhouse table, DIY media console and all-time favorite mirror. It’s a lot more farmhouse-y than the rest of our new home, but I’m grateful for the furniture I built and saved over the years.

Then recently I added a couple of pieces of art as you’ll see in the photos below. I will tackle the room eventually, build a new table, hang curtains and such, but it works great for now to host small gatherings!

(I eventually DID do a makeover in this space. See the traditional dining room reveal here.)

And this year I’m hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time ever! I’m excited to have this space for hosting and sharing this special holiday with family and friends who feel like family.

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Thanksgiving vs. Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving is commonly celebrated as a time for families to come together and give thanks. It often involves larger family gatherings, elaborate meals steeped in traditional with a side of family drama. Ha! And while it may be a fun gathering for some families, it may feel formal and stiff for others.

Friendsgiving, on the other hand, is a gathering of chosen friends who feel like family. A “framily” if you will. These lends themselves to more casual, less formal and fun get togethers! Whether it’s hosting a potluck dinner or enjoying a casual brunch, Friendsgiving is all about enjoying good food and laughter without the stress of formalities.

So, the focus is definitely more like a casual, fun time with friends and less stuffy and traditional!

Easy Friendsgiving Decor Ideas

1. Table Decor Ideas

Let’s start with decorating the tabletop, shall we?

I’m a huge fan of casual tablescapes and a simple centerpiece. I don’t usually buy too much new stuff for decorating my tables. I like simple, easy and inviting … so people feel special, but not overly fussy. We’re just not fancy people.

Click/Tap the images below to shop my dining room:

I always start my table settings with the same white plates and hyacinth place settings. I love their classic appeal that work with every season and holiday.

And then I add a small plate and bowl, along with a simple napkin in the middle. You can do seasonal plates or seasonal napkins or napkin holders, but really the base can always be the same. Learn how I decorate my table for Thanksgiving dinner with simple dishes, chargers, tablecloths and napkins.

This year I spotted these plaid placemats and matching plaid table runner and just had to have them to add a fall touch to my dining table. But they can be used all year, too.

Oh, and the gold flatware was a new budget-friendly purchase. I love how they tie in with other brass and gold aspects of my home. I used evergreen napkin rings to place the napkins in a bowl on top of the salad plate. You could add place cards, too, if you’d like!

The art between the windows is a beautiful landscape art piece I bought for the kitchen, but it didn’t end up working in there. Oh well! The kitchen’s loss is the dining room’s gain, right?! ☺️ (It ended up in the powder room as its permanent home.)

2. Easy and Simple Centerpiece

Then I filled in the centerpiece in the middle of the table with some real organe and white pumpkins, a bundle of wheat, some books and candles I had. But you could use anything you have like gourds, vases colorful leaves or lanterns… really anything that add depth, layers and texture!

The brass candlesticks and taper candles I have on the center of the table aren’t my favorite. I have some others that I love, so I should have used them instead.

If you’re looking for some, get these gold candlesticks. They are perfect and budget-friendly (and go in and out of stock a lot, so check back frequently if they are out of stock right now).

3. Easy Food Options

Since I was going for a casual, friendsgiving table decor, I thought this would be the perfect time to try my hand at a charcuterie board. Isn’t it the most perfect casual way to feed a crowd? I think so!

Can you believe I’ve never tried to make one before?? If you’re like me, and have been intimidated by these beautiful snack boards, I’m here to tell you they are SO easy and perfect for special occasions! My girls were so enamored with it that we had to recreate it for lunch the next day. I foresee quite a few charcuterie board lunches in the near future.

The buffet in the dining room is the perfect place for putting food for a self-serve-style gathering.

If you’ve never made a charcuterie board before, I spelled out exactly how I made mine over on my sister site: Comfort Food at Home. (Surprise! I’ve started a food blog. 😜)

Try these other easy fall dishes perfect for easy snacking at Friendsgiving:

• Bacon-wrapped Chicken Bites
• Loaded Smashed Potatoes
• Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Baked Apple Slices
• Bacon Cracker Appetizers

Click/Tap the images below to shop my dining room:

This view of the other side of the room includes another favorite new abstract art canvas (no longer available). I love bringing in some abstract pieces to my collection. And I think this one looks so much higher-end than what it is! Those colors are my favorite.

I hope my tablescape and fall decorating ideas this year inspire you to gather in celebration with loved ones this holiday season. (Even if it’s a super small gathering this year as we’re still weathering the pandemic.)

Your decor doesn’t have to be fancy – just use what you already have to create a beautiful and welcoming space. I know your guests will love any effort that you give. 💗

More Posts You Will Love:

• Free Thanksgiving Coloring Pages for the Kids
• Thanksgiving Dinner Conversation Starters {free printable}
• DIY Christmas Decorations on a Budget
• Simple & Neutral Fall Mantel Decor
• Navy & Orange Free Fall Printables