The air gets colder, leaves are turning color, and holiday excitement starts buzzing. It’s November, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Along with Thanksgiving comes a newer holiday: Friendsgiving.

According to some websites, the word Friendsgiving first appeared around 2007 from a commercial, and it just caught on with the people. They were right about it becoming popular around 2007, but it originated in the late 1990s.

Friendsgiving was first celebrated on the hit show Friends. The first time it appeared was Nov. 17, 1994, on Season 1, Episode 9 — “The One Where Underdog Gets Away.” Everyone loved it so much that there is a Friendsgiving episode in every season, all ten of them. These episodes were an inspiration for the new generation.

The official definition for Friendsgiving is: a Thanksgiving celebration with one’s friends, as opposed to one’s family.” Often the host will get a group of friends together to host their own Thanksgiving. Everyone brings a dish or dessert they made. Usually, the celebrations are hosted the weekend before Thanksgiving or when everyone is home for the holiday.

Friendsgivings are great for people who don’t have big gatherings for regular Thanksgiving. Senior Allison Onstott appreciates Friendsgiving for this reason, “I am an only child, so Thanksgivings for me are usually really small, and I like having the opportunity to spend time and celebrate with my friends all together!”

Abigail Francisco has also attended Friendsgivings and loves the celebration. She commented, “Friendsgiving is a time where we have gotten together to hang out and bond over great food that everyone brought. Every year I make my famous homemade mac and cheese. The thing that makes Friendsgiving so special is being able to get together with your group of friends, catching up, playing games, and having a great time.”

You should consider hosting a Friendsgiving this year. It’s a fun and easy way to show love and appreciation with your closest friends.