Friendsgiving 101: A history of the made-up holiday and how to celebrate it

"Friendsgiving" describes a meal, usually potluck-style, shared with friends around the time of Thanksgiving. The custom may be centuries old, but the word only entered Merriam-Webster's dictionary in 2020. (Pixabay)

Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November. But many Americans don’t wait that long to share a fall feast with their loved ones — that is, if they celebrate Friendsgiving.

Friendsgiving is exactly what it sounds like: A gathering close to the date of Thanksgiving, starring many of its starchy staples, usually served potluck-style, with friends instead of relatives.

Think fewer dinner-table political debates, less travel time, turkey optional (more on that later).