A Friendsgiving photo album worth keeping

Friendsgiving works because everyone contributes. One friend brings the stuffing, another brings a pie, someone turns up with a dish nobody has heard of. The photos work the same way: everyone takes a few, and together they tell the whole evening. Apart, they mostly sit on phones.

Set it up with the potluck list

You are already sending a message about who brings what. Put the album link in the same message. People read a potluck list closely, so it is the best place for it.

• One album for the evening. Give it a name with the year, so next year's is easy to tell apart.
• A QR on the drinks table. For the plus-ones who were not on the list.
• A co-host. Whoever is not carving can keep an eye on it.

A dish roll call

Ask each guest to photograph their dish when they set it down. It takes ten seconds, and it gives you a record of the whole table that is fun to look back on. It also settles the yearly argument about who brought the good mac and cheese.

Shots that are easy to miss

• The full table before anyone sits. Stand on a chair if you have to.
• The round of thanks. Take it from across the table so you catch the listeners too.
• The kitchen. Half the night happens there.
• The group photo. Do it before dessert, while people are still upright.

Make it a tradition

Friendsgiving tends to repeat with the same friends, so the albums stack up into something good. After the night, pick the favourites together and keep the best few for next year's invitation. Over a few years you get a record of who moved away, who joined, and who still brings the same pie.

Fondays gives you one album for the night that every guest adds to from their own phone, and guests can pick favourites together afterwards. Hosting is free until 20 June 2027, and guests join free on iPhone or Android. Make your Friendsgiving album.