My First Friendsgiving In The U.S. As A Mexican Woman (And How It Helped Me Feel At Home)
Make your Friendsgiving unforgettable! Bring laughter, conversation, and connection to the table with music, gratitude, and {THE AND} Good Vibes Edition questions that turn any gathering into a night to remember.
Friendsgiving is a tradition I’ve seen all over social media, but –coming from Mexico City– I never celebrated it myself. This year, living in Phoenix, Arizona, far away from my family, I finally get it. A multicultural Friendsgiving might just be exactly what my heart needed. If you’re also navigating life far from home, I hope this helps you feel a little less alone.
(Want the full list of Friendsgiving questions you can read from your phone? Scroll and you’ll find a subscriber-only section.)
Why Friendsgiving Matters When You’re Far From Home
Mexican culture is built on community, food, and music. Growing up, my family spent almost every weekend with family and friends, music videos on TV, my dad mixing cocktails, kids running around, and adults getting just a liiittle bit tipsy. It wasn’t an event; it was a lifestyle.
So this year, celebrating Friendsgiving in the U.S. with my new chosen family feels necessary. It helps me rebuild something I didn’t realize I would miss so deeply: the comfort of belonging.
Many of the friends joining us are of Latino descent and love Mexico, which makes this holiday feel even warmer and more familiar. So, here’s what I’m planning for our Latino-inspired Friendsgiving:
Friendsgiving Activity Ideas
1) Cultural Memory Sharing Circle
We’ll go around and share something that connects us to our roots: places, food, songs, memories, people.Lately nostalgia hits harder… like Día de Muertos. If you want a deeper read, I wrote this piece: Día de Muertos 2025: How Setting Up an Ofrenda Can Heal and Inspire.
2) Gratitude Toast
Classic Thanksgiving tradition, but urgently needed in a world full of anxiety, loneliness, and polarization. Saying gratitude out loud has genuinely supported my mental health, especially while adapting to a new country.
3) Collaborative Playlist
You already know: Mexicans don’t do silence very often.Road trips, BBQs, birthdays, even some funerals, we bring music. So we’re making a Friendsgiving Playlist with songs we grew up with, songs that remind us of home, and songs that turn strangers into family.
4) Friendsgiving Game Night With {THE AND}
This one I’m excited about. It’s the easiest way to turn a house full of new people into a night full of unexpected connection.If you don’t have the deck, no problem, I’m sharing some of my favorite {THE AND} Good Vibes questions below. Just subscribe to access them and keep them on your phone forever.
You might want to screenshot the questions one by one, print and cut them out for the table, or simply keep this article open on your phone. Since this is likely a more casual (and maybe a little chaotic) group celebration, I’m skipping our usual mood-setting instructions. Instead, I’m replacing them with these:
Set The Vibe
Friendsgiving isn’t quiet, so don’t force it. Let people sit, stand, wander, snack, refill, whatever. Keep the questions handy –on your phone, printed, or screenshot– and gather everyone in the same general orbit. Pick someone to kick things off, or let the hungriest person go first. Candles are optional; laughter is required.
Pass The Questions Around (Chaotically Allowed)
Forget strict turns. Let questions move however the night flows. Someone reads one aloud and chooses anyone to answer. Want to answer too? Jump in. Want to pass? Totally fine. This is a choose-your-own-vibe format, no pressure, just flow.
Keep It Light, Keep It Moving
Friendsgiving conversations zig-zag, stick with a question as long as it’s fun, switch when the vibe shifts, or pause if someone brings out pie. The goal is connection in the middle of the chaos, not controlling the conversation.
Everyone’s Welcome to Dip In or Out
People will arrive late, leave early, or sit down mid-question with a full plate. That’s the point. Newcomers can jump in anytime by reading a question or answering whatever’s on the table.
Most Important: Have Fun With It
No perfect order, no perfect answers, just messy, funny, surprising, real moments. That’s what makes a Friendsgiving night unforgettable, and exactly why these questions work so well.
If you loved these questions and want even more ways to spark fun, messy, and meaningful conversations with your friends, check out {THE AND} Good Vibes Edition as part of The Gratitude Collection. This special sale features our favorite conversation card games to bring people closer, laugh harder, and create unforgettable moments.
TGL
The Aftermath: Reggaeton, Bonding & Zero Photos
I had SOOO much fun I forgot to take photos (I know you’ve been there too. Also… most guests were strangers, so it felt weird photographing them). But the playlist + questions combo was a hit.
We danced to reggaeton and songs from our childhoods, and I felt parts of me come alive that I hadn’t shared in a long time. My husband had never seen that version of me. It was wild and wonderful.
I walked into a home full of strangers and walked out feeling like I had new lifelong friends.
Final Thoughts: If You’re Celebrating Friendsgiving This Year…
Let go. Enjoy it. The food might not taste like home. The music might not be your style. But connection thrives when expectations loosen.
This year, I’m grateful for:
- My husband
- My parents coming for Christmas
- My health
- My work
- Being recently discharged from my psychiatrist and therapist
- My new community
In a world that feels heavy, I’m choosing gratitude without pretending everything is perfect.
Stay safe, spread love, connect deeply, and if you can, celebrate Friendsgiving. Your community might be waiting for you there.
With love,
Regina Zuniga
Content Writer at The Skin Deep.
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