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It’s that time of the year again. Fall is in full swing and friendsgiving is apon us!

Friendsgiving is a special day every year when we get to celebrate the amazing friendships in our lives.

If you’re a college student, throwing a friendsgiving party is a super fun thing to do before you go home for Thanksgiving.

But as a student, you might not have the space or recourses to throw some fancy dinner party.

The good thing is you don’t have to!

That’s why I put together this post of easy friendsgiving ideas that you can use in a dorm lounge, apartment, or even outdoors.

These ideas range from decor, table setups, music, invitations, and more.

They’re all simple, inexpensive ways to elevate your dinner party on a budget that still make for a beautiful party setup.

Perfect for college!

So, let’s get this party started. Here are 16 easy friendsgiving ideas for college students:

How To Throw A Friendsgiving Party In College

#1: (Stylish) Disposable Plates & Utensils

college friendsgiving party — *Buy on Amazon*

A super easy way to elevate your party decor is by using stylish plates and utensils!

The good news is you don’t have to spend a ton of money on fancy dish ware or spend a lot of time cleaning up after your party.

Save time and money by simply getting a set of disposable plates and utensils like this one from Amazon.

I’m loving the white and gold color combo for a classic look perfect for a fall dinner party!

#2: Friendsgiving Banner

Looking to add some pizzazz to your party decor? A balloon banner will do the trick!

A giant friendsgiving banner like this one is such a fun way to make your space feel more festive.

It also comes in a gorgeous rose gold color if that’s more your style.

#3: Place Cards & Holders

Small details can truly make a dinner party extra special.

One such small detail your guests will adore are place cards!

Celebrate the harvest season with these darling pumpkin place card holders.

Write each guest’s name on a place card and arrange them on every place setting to welcome guests to your friendsgiving celebration in truly elegant fashion.

#4: Funny Friendsgiving Napkins

Next up in my list of friendsgiving ideas!

Make friendsgiving a little more spicy with these funny party napkins.

Leave one out beside each place setting at your party and be sure to have a stack available on the dinner table or on your food table.

These come in several really cute color options, so get a set that matches your party theme!

#5: Make It A Potluck

Have limited time on your hands? Want to throw a friendsgiving but terrible at cooking (same)?

Make your party into a potluck!

Have a sign up sheet for all the food, dessert, drinks, etc. that you plan on serving and make dinner a group effort.

Remember to get everyone’s info on food allergies and dietary restrictions so there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the party.

On a similar note, have people label their food or drink so guests know what it is and what’s inside in case it’s something they can’t have.

#6: Pumpkin Table Decor

This next friendsgiving idea is awesome for sprucing up your dinner table decor (in an affordable way).

These beautiful decorative pumpkins make gorgeous centerpieces and will totally level up your party decor.

Arrange these across the center of your table around serving trays, pitchers, platters, or other decorative pieces like floral arrangements and candles.

Speaking of candles, if your dorm or apartment doesn’t allow live ones, just get fake ones like these!

They’re safer and will still look beautiful as part of your friendsgiving table scape.

#7: Table Runner

Speaking of table scapes, level yours up by using a table runner underneath your decorations.

It’s a simple and easy decor idea but it will make your table look so much more elegant in an instant!

#8: Send Digital or Physical Invitations

Make friendsgiving official by sending out invitations!

I recommend getting a digital file from Etsy that you can easily customize using Canva and then sending your invitations out via text or email.

There are a ton of super pretty ones to choose from and your guests will love the thrill of receiving them!

You can also use the file to print physical invitations to mail or deliver in person if that’s more your style.

#9: Friendsgiving Party Cups

No one will forget what you’re celebrating with these super fun disposable friendsgiving party cups!

Place one next to each plate when setting up your table to add another special touch to your tablescape.

#10: Play Background Music

Every good party needs some music!

For that, I recommend searching up friendsgiving playlists, Thanksgiving playlists, jazz music, or dinner party music on Spotify or YouTube.

You’ll find a ton of great playlists to put on while you and your guests enjoy your friendsgiving dinner!

Here are some of my favorites (I put together the top one):

#11: Pumpkins In Glass Jars

You won’t find an easier friendsgiving table decor idea than this one!

Take some tall glass jars (or any clear jars) and fill them with either fake or real mini pumpkins.

I recommend alternating the color of the pumpkins as you place them in the jars to add some variety to your decor.

But if the pumpkins are all the same color, it still makes for a classic and well coordinated decor idea.

If you can, find jars of varying sizes and arrange them in the center of your table with the tallest in the middle for a ridiculously simple yet elegant tablescape.

#12: Branches Wrapped Around Pumpkins

For this next idea, all you need are fake pumpkins (or real ones) and fall themed faux branches.

All you’re going to do is wrap the branches around your pumpkins and arrange them along the center of your table.

Pro tip - you can use small fall wreaths and easily place them over your pumpkins.

The wreaths are already round so you won’t have to toy with them as much to get your desired shape.

#13: Interwoven Branches & Pumpkins

This next college friendsgiving tablescape idea is another incredibly easy one.

Just take a pack of mini pumpkins and arrange them going down the center of your table.

Use an extra long faux branch or garland and weave it around the pumpkins, going back and forth.

You can leave your tablescape at that and it’ll look beautiful, but if you want to add a little something extra, place a table runner down before adding your pumpkins and faux branch on top.

You can also add electric or real mini candles along your table runner.

The table runner and candles will add an extra sense of elegance to your table decor.

#14: Rustic Wood Base & Decor On Top

Looking to add a rustic feel to your friendsgiving table decor?

A great way to do just that is to use a round wood base for your table centerpiece.

You can find these at most craft stores or online.

To decorate it, use some fall or harvest themed decor items in a variety of sizes and arrange them on your base.

Some ideas for decor items you can use include floral arrangements, candles, mini pumpkins, faux branches, fake fall leaves, etc.

#15: Layered Fall Decor A In Glass Jar

Next is an idea similar to #11, but with more of an emphasis on layering the decorations inside of your clear/glass jar.

Rather than taking several larger items and stacking them in your jar, take a bunch of smaller items and layer them on top of each other.

Some harvest themed decorative pieces you can include are pinecones, pumpkins, squash, apples, and berries.

You can find these at most craft stores or find them in a set online.

You can also use fall themed potpourri sets to get the same effect!

Pro tip - When it comes to adding decor pieces into your jar, try to avoid putting similar ones near each other.

Instead, spread them out as much as possible.

This will create a well balanced and professional look throughout your jar.

#16: Branches & Pumpkins On A Tray

My last idea when it comes to college friendsgiving is similar to idea #13, but on a smaller scale and now adding in a tray.

Take your pumpkins and squash decor pieces and arrange them on a simple tray.

When you arrange them, alternate them in a squash-pumpkin-squash pattern to add some variety and visual intrigue to your tablescape.

Now, take some faux branches and arrange them around your pumpkins and squash.

Weave them around in all directions for a magazine-worthy look!

For a little extra something, you can also stick some fake fall leaves around the edges. How pretty!

Outro & Closing Thoughts

Thanks for reading my post “16 Easy College Friendsgiving Party Ideas! (Cute & Affordable).”

I hope these tips and ideas help you throw a fun, stylish, and delicious friendsgiving party.

Wish you the best and happy holidays!

For handmade digital art prints, icon packs, wallpapers, & more designed by me, be sure to stop by my digital boutique: Designed By Nikki Lo.

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16 Easy College Friendsgiving Party Ideas! (Cute & Affordable)