What to write
Friendsgiving Toast Ideas
A good Friendsgiving toast is short, under a minute, and it does three things: it thanks the people who cooked, it names one real thing from your year together, and it ends with everyone raising a glass. You don't need to be funny or eloquent. You need one specific memory and the nerve to stand up. Below is a five-step shape that works every time, then 30 original toasts sorted by mood, ready to say as they are or bend to fit your group.
How to give one in under a minute
- Wait for the right moment. After everyone has a full plate and a drink, before the first person goes back for seconds. Don't bang a glass with a knife: stand up, or just say "Can I say something quick?" and wait.
- Say why you're all here, in one sentence. "We're not family, and that's exactly the point."
- Name one real thing from this year. The move you all helped with, the group chat that kept someone going, the trip that went sideways. One is enough. A list turns into a speech.
- Thank the cooks by name. Whoever hosted, whoever made the thing everyone fought over.
- Raise your glass and say the last line. Then sit down. Ending early is a gift.
Not everyone at the table drinks, so say "raise whatever you've got." Water, cider and coffee count.
Short toasts (one line)
To the people we chose, and who keep choosing us back.
To friends who feel like home. Cheers.
To this table, and everyone who made it this full.
To one more year of showing up for each other.
To the group chat, finally in person.
To not having to explain ourselves. Cheers.
Funny toasts
To the turkey, which nobody here knows how to carve. We're doing our best.
To our friendship: it has survived moves, breakups and one very bad karaoke night. Pass the stuffing.
We didn't choose our families, but we did choose each other, so if this dinner goes badly, that's on us.
To the friend who said "I'll just bring napkins" and actually brought napkins. Iconic.
I was going to give a long speech, but the gravy is getting cold, and I love you all, but not more than gravy.
To us: the only people who know all our stories and still sit next to us.
Heartfelt toasts
This year was a lot. The best part of it was this group, and I wanted to say that out loud once.
Some of us didn't know each other a few years ago. Now I can't imagine a holiday without you. Thank you for that.
You've seen me at my worst and still saved me a seat. That's all I'm thankful for this year, and it's plenty.
Here's to the friends who answer the phone at two in the morning, and to the ones who already knew something was wrong before we called.
We don't see each other every week anymore. But when we do, nothing has changed. That's what I'm grateful for.
To the people who became my family without anyone asking them to. Cheers.
For the host
To our host, who cleaned their whole place for us, and who will now watch us undo it in three hours.
To the kitchen that made all this, and the person who survived it. Thank you for having us.
Hosting is a love language. Tonight, you said it loud. To our host.
To the one who said "come to my place," knowing exactly what that meant. We're so glad you did.
Before we eat: none of this happens without you. To our host, and the dishes we'll help with. Probably.
For a friend who isn't here
For the friend who moved, who's working tonight, or who's spending the holiday somewhere else. Keep these light and warm; this isn't a funeral.
To the empty chair, which is really just holding a spot for next year.
To everyone who couldn't make it tonight. We'll send you the leftovers, emotionally.
Someone's missing from this table, and we notice. Here's to having them back soon.
To the friends far away, who are probably raising a glass to us right now. Cheers to them.
If someone at the table is grieving, don't name the loss in a toast unless they've asked you to. A quiet word before dinner means more.
For a new group
New city, new job, first Friendsgiving together:
A year ago most of us were strangers. Tonight we're the people who know where the forks go. Cheers.
To the beginning of a tradition.
To the friends who said yes to dinner with people they barely knew. Look at us now.
Let everyone in
If your group is shy about toasts, go around the table and have each person name one thing from the year they're thankful for, in one sentence. Or leave slips of paper and a jar by the door when guests arrive, and read them out over dessert. People who'd never stand up will happily write one line.
A word about the word
"Friendsgiving" is younger than it feels. Merriam-Webster defines it as "a celebration or meal shared among friends on or near Thanksgiving Day" and dates its first known use to 2007. Feel free to open with that if you need a way in.
Something to bring with the toast
If you're bringing something for the host or the group, here are Friendsgiving gift ideas for your friends. We make prints of Capy and Bara, two capybara best friends, like the one in the photo: Bara leaping toward Capy under the words "Same chaos. Different houses." Add one name or both, pick the color, and collect it with Same Day Pickup at a store near you, or have it mailed free to any address in the 50 states. See the prints.
