Hosting Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving in Your Backyard

Who says Thanksgiving has to be indoors? With cooler temps, golden light, and the natural beauty of fall all around, hosting your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving outdoors can be both unforgettable and refreshingly relaxed.

Whether you’re planning a full sit-down dinner or a laid-back potluck, here’s how to turn your backyard into a warm, welcoming space for gathering, gratitude, and great food.

1. Set the Stage with the Right Table Setup

Start with your outdoor dining table and build from there. If you have a patio dining set, use that as your foundation. For larger groups, consider mixing and matching dining chairs and club chairs around a fire pit table or bringing out an extra console or sideboard for serving.

Add:

• A simple runner or placemats in fall tones

• Cloth napkins or mini pumpkins for a festive touch

• Outdoor-safe dinnerware that looks great but won’t break
  

Tip: If you don’t have enough dining seating, consider hosting more picnic-style with plush cushions, poufs, or lounge chairs around low tables.

2. Create Cozy Layers for Cool Temps

Even in milder climates, late afternoons can get chilly. Make your space more inviting with:

• Throw blankets draped over chairs
  

• Cushioned or padded seating for longer meals
  

• A fire pit or portable heater to keep guests warm once the sun sets
  

Bonus: a fire pit also makes a great s’mores station after dessert.

3. Keep the Menu Low-Stress

Thanksgiving outdoors is the perfect excuse to go more casual. Instead of doing everything yourself, host it potluck-style and have each guest bring a dish. Use our Asheville Storage Cart or coffee table as a buffet station, and keep drinks chilled in a nearby cooler or beverage cart.

Pro move: Choose foods that hold up well in cooler air—stuffings, roasted vegetables, and warm desserts shine here.

4. Embrace the Ambience

Let the season do the decorating for you. Use fallen leaves, pinecones, or cut branches for an effortless centerpiece. Add warm-toned lighting with battery-powered lanterns, string lights, or candles (real or flameless) to keep the glow going.

Less is more. Let your outdoor surroundings shine.

5. Build in Time to Relax

The best part of dining outside is lingering longer. After the meal, shift to a seating area with club chairs or a loveseat, fire up the fire pit, and pass around dessert and drinks. If you’re with family or close friends, this is when the real connection happens.

Outdoor Gatherings, Elevated

Hosting Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving in your backyard doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to feel personal, comfortable, and intentional. With a few thoughtful touches and the right outdoor setup, your patio can become the heart of the holiday.

Need help making your space ready for hosting? Our team offers complimentary design consultations to help set up your perfect patio layout for your outdoor gatherings.