Friendsgiving dinner scene in Friends
PR Newswire
Thanksgiving, a Classic American Tradition, Has Evolved to Fit the New Generation with Events Like Friendsgiving. What Does This Say About the Communities Gen-Z Creates?
BY MALEEHA SHEIKH & RAMYA CHANDRA
NOVEMBER 26, 2025
For generations, Thanksgiving has been regarded as a holiday rooted in family traditions, a day to spend with relatives, share a delicious meal, and reflect on gratitude. In recent years, however, Gen-Z has restructured the holiday spirit, popularizing Friendsgiving: a separate potluck dinner with one’s closest friends instead of their family.
This shift didn’t happen overnight. Uniquely shaped by the isolation of COVID-19, the growing connectivity of social media, and the increasing emphasis on individuality in America, a drastic transformation in the value of relationships has occurred. As social media continues to play a significant role in daily life, sharing moments with close friends feels natural and essential.
Everyone’s family dynamic is different; for some, the sense of belonging and emotional connection they find with friends surpasses that of their relatives, making Friendsgiving feel more meaningful.
Junior Olivia Lee said, “Friendsgiving gave me a chance to relax and eat good food without the added pressure of school!”
For others, maintaining a balance between family and friends during Thanksgiving creates a space to cultivate a holistic sense of gratitude, recognizing the key, distinctive roles that others play in one’s life.
Senior Samatha Arevalo said, “I enjoy spending Thanksgiving with both my family and my friends. I believe that celebrating those that we are grateful for is fundamental for growth in our relationships because they serve as a reminder that we are loved.”
As new generations grow, it is important for old traditions to grow with them, and Friendsgiving is a direct example of that: it enables Gen-Z to celebrate gratitude not just with the family they are born into, but the family they choose.
