Friendsgiving has become one of November’s best traditions—a relaxed, laughter-filled gathering where the turkey is optional, but the great memories are not. Add some gridiron rivalry action into the mix, and you’ve got a winning holiday weekend: great food, easy company, and plenty of touchdowns. Whether you’re hosting a Friendsgiving gathering at home or heading to your favorite Bout Time location, we’ve got some ideas that will make your Friendsgiving football party the highlight of the season.
Keep It Casual and Comfortable
The beauty of Friendsgiving is that it’s all about spending time with the people you choose. No need for formal place settings; embrace a laid-back day that can include disposable dishware in your team’s colors with someone else doing the cooking or a buffet-style spread that lets guests graze between plays. Encourage everyone to wear their favorite team jersey, bring their favorite cozy throw, and, if your crowd’s divided on team support, have a little fun with some low-stakes prop bets.
Plan a Playbook of Football Party Food
When it comes to football party food, hearty and shareable wins every time, wings, sliders, nachos, and loaded potato skins are MVPs for a reason—they’re easy to prep, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for halftime snacking.
You can give your Friendsgiving spread a festive twist with dishes like turkey sliders with cranberry aioli, sweet potato fries, or a stuffing-inspired dip. And don’t forget a few local touches, like Utah fry sauce and beers and spirits made around the Wasatch Front to round out the spread.
If you’re going potluck-style, assign appetizers, sides, and desserts to different friends so everyone can bring their favorites and prepare them in advance.
Create a Friendsgiving Atmosphere
Set the party scene with a few festive details that blend fall and football. Add string lights, pumpkins painted in team colors, and a scoreboard wall where guests can predict the day’s winners. If the weather’s nice, take the party outside with a projector screen, cozy blankets, and a fire pit for s’mores between games.
Simplify Hosting (or Skip It Altogether)
Hosting friends doesn’t have to come with stress. Prep what you can the night before, stock the fridge, and embrace enjoying the day.
Or better yet, skip the prep and cleanup entirely and host your Friendsgiving football party at your neighborhood Bout Time. There’s all the scratch-made food, drinks, and every NFL game on with no dishes and no stress. Grab a table with friends, order a flatbread pizza to share, a round of appetizers, or keep it light with salads, and let Friendsgiving begin!
Make It Memorable
Wherever the celebration is held, don’t forget to personalize the gathering with a few special touches: a group photo in team gear, a “gratitude jar” where everyone shares something they’re thankful for, or a friendly game of football squares to keep things competitive.
Friendsgiving isn’t about fancy table settings or perfect hosting—it’s about food, football, and friendship. Whether you’re celebrating at home or kicking back at Bout Time, follow these tips for the ultimate Friendsgiving football party this year.