By Hilda Lopez
Graphic by Melisa Rodriguez
Happy Fall everyone!
Fall kicks off the holiday season, with people booking flights and making plans to head home to family. Thanksgiving, which falls on Nov. 28 this year, is a time when many gather with relatives and friends to celebrate and give thanks. In recent years, Friendsgiving, a term that originated in the early 2000s, has become a popular new tradition. Friendsgiving is a gathering where friends who can’t be together on Thanksgiving come together to share a meal and express gratitude.
There are multiple theories about how Friendsgiving started. Some credit the TV show “Friends” for inspiring the concept, while others point to a 2011 Bailey’s Irish Cream ad that used the term. Another theory is that it originated with college students from Temple University who couldn’t travel home for Thanksgiving. Regardless of how it originated, Friendsgiving has quickly become a popular and cherished tradition for many. It offers a way for friends to come together, who cannot be together on Thanksgiving to share a meal, and celebrate the season of gratitude
There is no set date for Friendsgiving, though many choose to celebrate it before Thanksgiving Day. The menu varies some go the traditional route with turkey and friends bringing side dishes, while others prefer a potluck style with a variety of dishes.
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving or both may you be surrounded by loved ones and create memories that bring joy all season long.
