Plan Friendsgiving without the group-chat chaos

Who brings what at Friendsgiving

The usual split is simple: the host cooks the turkey (or the main), and everybody else brings a side, a dessert, or drinks. Spell that out when you invite people — otherwise you’ll get three pies and no potatoes.

With Bringy, create the event, list the classics below as open slots, and share the link. Guests claim their dish in the group chat without signing up for anything.

A classic Friendsgiving dish checklist

• Turkey (or a roast)
  Usually the host. Allow about 500 g per person, bone in.
• A vegetarian main
  Stuffed squash or a mushroom Wellington so it’s a meal for everyone.
• Stuffing
  Bake it outside the bird so it can come ready-made.
• Mashed potatoes
  Travels well in a slow cooker on warm.
• Gravy
  Whoever brings it, bring a lot of it.
• Green bean casserole
  Or roasted green beans for a lighter take.
• Sweet potatoes
  Marshmallow topping remains a divisive, beloved choice.
• Cranberry sauce
  Homemade takes fifteen minutes. The can is also fine.
• Mac and cheese
  Non-negotiable for many.
• Rolls and butter
  Easy to assign to the least confident cook.
• A green salad
  Something fresh on a very beige plate.
• Pumpkin pie
  Plus whipped cream.
• Pecan or apple pie
  Flag the nuts on the pecan.
• Wine, cider and something alcohol-free
  Hot apple cider keeps well in a pot.
• Foil containers
  For leftovers. Everyone will want leftovers.

Need more options? See our potluck ideas for dishes that travel well.

Solve the oven problem early

The turkey owns the oven for hours, so everything else needs to arrive hot or be fine warm. Ask guests to bring dishes ready to serve, and use the note on each dish to say if it needs reheating. A slow cooker or two on “keep warm” takes huge pressure off the kitchen.

Allergies and diets at the big table

A long holiday dinner is exactly where a hidden nut or a butter-basted side causes trouble. Have guests note allergies when they RSVP, and tag each dish with what it contains. Bringy highlights conflicts automatically, so the friend with a dairy allergy knows the mash is off-limits before they queue for it.

A simple Friendsgiving timeline

• Three weeks before: pick the date and share the event link.
• Two weeks before: check the list for gaps and nudge anyone who hasn’t claimed a dish.
• The week of: lock the list, confirm oven slots and who’s bringing chairs.
• On the day: turkey in early, table set by the time the first guest arrives.

For the general version of this checklist, read how to organize a potluck.