Friendsgiving games for adults: 8 ideas for the dinner table

Friendsgiving is Thanksgiving with the people you picked: a big shared dinner where everyone brings a dish and nobody has to sit next to the uncle who argues about politics. It has turned into a tradition for a lot of friend groups, often the last proper get together before December gets busy.

The dinner runs long, and the table often mixes people who only know each other through the host. That is where Friendsgiving games help: nobody has to get up, there are no props, just one phone and a few good questions. Here is what works at the table and later on the couch.

What makes good Friendsgiving games

A game played during dinner has to do two things: work while people are eating, and stop the moment the next dish arrives. Question games are the best fit because they start conversations rather than competitions. Save anything that involves moving around for after dessert.

Friendsgiving games for adults: 8 ideas

1. Thankful, but

The classic Thanksgiving round where everyone says what they are thankful for this year, with a twist: afterwards they also have to name something they are not thankful for at all. The first half is sweet, the second half is guaranteed laughs, and that is exactly what keeps it from getting cheesy.

2. Most Likely To: Friendsgiving edition

Someone reads a statement and on three everyone points at the person it fits best. It is perfect for a dinner table because nobody has to stand up, and guests get to know each other faster than in any round of introductions.

1. Most likely to: who brought a store bought pie and claims it is homemade?
2. Most likely to: who starts on dessert before dinner is ready?
3. Most likely to: who falls asleep on the couch first after dinner?
4. Most likely to: who takes home the most leftovers?
5. Most likely to: who arrives late even though they live closest?
6. Most likely to: who photographs every dish before anyone can touch it?
7. Most likely to: who starts washing up while everyone is still eating?
8. Most likely to: who plans next year’s Friendsgiving tonight?

3. Guess the cook

If everyone brought a dish, do not reveal who made what. During the first course everyone guesses which dish belongs to whom, and the most correct guesses wins. The loser does the dishes, or at least helps.

4. Two truths and a lie: this year edition

Everyone shares three things that happened to them this year, two true and one made up. The others guess the lie. The year end version works because everyone ends up telling the story of their year, just more entertainingly than a status update.

5. This or That: the autumn table

Quick rounds between courses. Someone reads two options, everyone picks at the same time, and anyone left alone with their choice has to defend it.

1. Pumpkin pie or apple pie?
2. Stuffing or mashed potatoes?
3. Turkey or ham?
4. Cranberry sauce from scratch or straight from the can?
5. Cooking or washing up?
6. Early dinner or a night that runs until morning?
7. Taking leftovers home or coming back for them tomorrow?
8. Board games or talking on the couch?
9. One long table for everyone or several small ones?
10. Friendsgiving or family Thanksgiving?

6. Thanksgiving conversation starters for the end of the year

The whole point of Friendsgiving is actually talking. These conversation starters get you past how work is going.

1. What was the best day of your year?
2. What did you learn about yourself this year that you did not know last year?
3. Who do you owe the most to this year?
4. What did you finally do this year after putting it off for ages?
5. What was your favourite moment we shared this year?
6. What would you do differently if you could restart the year?
7. What do you definitely want to try next year?
8. Who do you want to see at this table again next year?

7. Would You Rather: holiday dilemmas

For dessert, when nobody is in a hurry anymore. These dilemmas can be argued about for ages, and everyone learns something about the others.

1. Would you rather spend every holiday with family or every holiday with friends?
2. Would you rather cook for everyone or do the dishes all night?
3. Would you rather give up dessert or the main course at every holiday?
4. Would you rather have this exact group again next year, or in ten years with everyone guaranteed to come?

8. The leftovers draft

The perfect closer. Points from the night’s games decide who picks from the leftovers first. The winner takes the last of the pie, the person in last place gets whatever is stuck to the bottom of the dish. It is surprising how seriously everyone takes it.

More Friendsgiving ideas: how to plan the evening

1. As guests arrive: drinks and quick This or That rounds until everyone is there.
2. During the first course: Guess the cook.
3. Over the main course: Thankful, but and the conversation starters.
4. Before dessert: Most Likely To, read from one phone.
5. With dessert: Two truths and a lie, and the holiday dilemmas.
6. At the end: the leftovers draft, based on points.

What to avoid

• Politics and money at the table: nothing ruins a good evening faster.
• Do not make the gratitude round mandatory: anyone who does not want to talk can pass.
• Do not plan too many games. Friendsgiving is a dinner, not a quiz show.
• If someone is new to the group, keep the questions away from old inside jokes.

The takeaway

Friendsgiving is good because you sit down with the people you chose. Games just make sure the dinner does not end behind everyone’s phones. If you do not want to come up with questions, download Party Games by Guessy for free: Most Likely To and This or That start in seconds, the premium Holidays categories add festive questions, and it all works offline.