Finding people to spend Thanksgiving with when you can’t go home can be a daunting task, but Friendsgiving celebrations create an opportunity for peers to share the love and holiday spirit over a nice meal together.
Trinity University is home to many Friendsgiving traditions. From Greek life and intramural sports to independent student groups, many campus residents like to find time in November to remind each other of how special the holiday season can be and make new friends.
Emma Kindred, junior psychology major, recently celebrated Friendsgiving with her sorority, Alpha Chi Lambda. Alpha Chi had their Friendsgiving celebration on Nov. 7, and Kindred said the event was the perfect time to both show care to the people in her life as well as meet new people to share that care with.
“Friends are great,” Kindred said. “Hang out with your friends. Make sure you tell them that you’re thankful for them. If you know people who also don’t have Thanksgiving plans, get together and hang out. Make sure you have someone to talk to and be with. Make sure you have a community you can connect with.”
Kindred reminisced on Friendsgivings of her past as well, saying that it has always been something to look forward to.
“Every year our sorority has a Friendsgiving as an informal [event], so I’ve actually been to all of them since my freshman year whenever I was a PNM,” Kindred said.
Kindred also said that she enjoyed getting to know the potential new members in a more casual setting.
“It was nice because people who are rushing us got to experience an intimate hangout instead of being bombarded by everyone,” Kindred said.
Claire Carpenter, senior marketing and communication double-major, is the spirit captain for Trinity’s intramural ultimate frisbee team, Altitude. She says that Friendsgiving is an annual tradition for members of Altitude and one that she is thankful for.
“Every year the spirit captain puts it on,” Carpenter said. “It’s my first year as captain so I’m still trying to plan it, but we do a giant potluck. Everyone’s going to come over to my house.”
Carpenter said that with Friendsgiving comes some wonderful memories and traditions she shares with her team. Her favorite tradition is the gratitude wall that her team makes every year.
“We do a gratitude wall, … so everyone is given a couple of sticky notes and they put down things that they’re grateful for.” Carpenter said.
Claire King, neuroscience and computer science double-major, lives in Seattle, Washington, and will not be able to go home over Thanksgiving break. However, she has planned a Friendsgiving to celebrate while she’s on campus.
“My boyfriend and one of his really good friends are driving down from Colorado, so we’re gonna cook a little meal together and play some card games together,” King said.
King explained that she has found joy in spending her Thanksgiving both with and without others.
“I’m excited to spend my Thanksgiving with people this year, but it’s also a good time to really be happy with being alone and to enjoy your own presence,” King said.
