At a Glance: Friendsgiving is becoming a more widespread tradition They offer a new way to connect during the busy holiday season, but hosting one can add to a long list of to-dos. Friendsgiving catering is one way to ensure that your food bases are covered without adding to anyone’s plate. Order mains, sides and desserts from Catering by Design to ensure you spend your friendsgiving stress-free and with the comfort of a Thanksgiving meal.
Friendsgiving has become one of the most looked-forward-to parts of the holiday season. It takes the warmth of a Thanksgiving meal and pairs it with the people you choose to spend time with, usually in a more relaxed setting than a formal family dinner. A good Friendsgiving spread is the reason everyone lingers at the table long after the plates are cleared.
The good news is that a memorable menu does not have to mean days in the kitchen. With Friendsgiving catering, you get to focus on the fun part, which is deciding what delicious food lands on the table. Below are meal ideas for every part of the menu, from the main turkey dinner down to the last slice of pie, built around dishes served by Catering By Design.
Turkey is the dish most guests picture when they think of a Friendsgiving celebration, so it is the natural anchor for your menu. Catering By Design serves slow roasted turkey with homemade turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, which gives your friends the traditional turkey dinner they are hoping for without the prep involved with making it yourself.
A larger gathering is a good reason to offer a second protein alongside the turkey. The holiday menu includes Virginia baked ham with a brown sugar glaze and roasted pork loin with fig and port wine sauce. Putting out two mains means guests who are not big on turkey still have something they love, and it makes the holiday table feel more generous.
The sides are where Friendsgiving really earns its reputation. They carry the flavors people associate with the holiday, and they are usually the dishes guests go back for seconds of. A good side dish spread leans on classic comfort food with a few seasonal vegetables mixed in.
Catering By Design offers several holiday sides, including:
A simple approach is to pick three to five sides so every plate has variety without going overboard. A nice mix is one starchy dish like mashed potatoes, one creamy crowd-pleaser like mac and cheese, one green vegetable like Brussels sprouts, and a stuffing to tie it all back to the holiday. Dinner rolls are also worth adding , since they are the perfect vehicle for extra gravy.
Dessert is non-negotiable at many Friendsgiving events, and it is one of the easiest places to make the meal feel special. Seasonal pies are the headliners, and pumpkin pie and apple pie are the two most guests reach for first. Having both on the table covers the classic preferences and gives people the chance to try a sliver of each.
If your group has a wider range of tastes, Catering By Design can also provide cakes and cookie platters. Setting these out as a dessert table lets friends try new things through the evening instead of committing to a single slice, which suits the relaxed pace of a Friendsgiving well.
Beverages are easy to forget until the day of, so it helps to plan them alongside the food. The holiday menu includes non-alcoholic options like coffee, iced tea, and lemonade, which keep every guest covered no matter their age or preference.
For a group that wants something more festive, bartending services are available with beer, wine, and full bar packages. A signature seasonal drink, like a spiced cider cocktail or a cranberry spritz, is a nice touch that makes the gathering feel like an occasion without much extra effort on your part.
Not every Friendsgiving looks the same, so it helps to shape the menu around the group you are feeding.
Every menu can be tailored to your group, including dietary needs and preferences, so you can build the exact spread your friends will remember.
The holiday season can be a chaotic time with a variety of events, tasks and meetups. Take something off your plate and order catering for your friendsgiving. The weeks around Thanksgiving are the busiest time of year for caterers, so timing your holiday order early is one of the best moves you can make.
Nailing down your headcount early makes everything else easier. Your guest count drives how much food you order, which service style makes sense, and what the meal costs per person. Friendsgiving guest lists tend to grow quickly, so it helps to confirm numbers a week or two ahead and build in a small cushion for last-minute additions.
Catering By Design structures its holiday menu by format, which makes budgeting straightforward. The Create Your Own Holiday Buffet starts at $15.95 per person with a 25-guest minimum for lunch. A holiday brunch starts at $20 per person, and an hors d’oeuvres reception starts at $32 per person. Knowing the per-person starting points lets you plan a menu that fits your group and your budget before you commit.
The whole point of a Friendsgiving is gathering the most people in your life around your table, and one of the best ways to be present for them is to hand off the cooking. Catering By Design has served the Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and greater Triangle area for more than two decades and is a member of the Leading Caterers of America, a by-invitation group of top caterers across the United States and Canada.
Depending on how you want to host, you can keep it simple with pickup or delivery for a casual meal, or go with full-service catering where the team handles setup, service, and cleanup so you can enjoy the party as a guest. Either way, you pick the dishes and the team takes care of the food.
Ready to plan the menu? Browse the full catering menus, look over the holiday catering options, or contact the team to build a custom Friendsgiving spread for your friends.
