Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away, and the first big surveys of the season are in. They tell a story many of us will find encouraging: people still want to gather, and more of them are pulling up extra chairs.
Here is what the new numbers say, and a few simple ways your family can lean into the best of this year’s trends.
Bigger Gatherings Are Back
According to a CivicScience report published November 5, 82% of Americans plan to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, and 81% say the holiday is at least somewhat important to them. Both figures are about the same as last year.
What is changing is the size of the table. Twenty-nine percent say they will celebrate with a large group, up from 24% last year. Another 33% will keep it to immediate family, and 31% plan a smaller group than usual.
In other words, families are making their own choices, and a growing number are choosing a fuller house.
Friendsgiving Keeps Growing
“Friendsgiving,” a Thanksgiving-style meal shared with friends, is also on the rise. CivicScience found that 21% of Americans have hosted or attended one this season, or plan to, up from 18% at about this time last year.
The trend is strongest among young adults. Thirty-eight percent of Gen Z adults (ages 18 to 29) and 26% of Millennials (ages 30 to 44) say they are taking part.
For parents of grown children, this can be good news. A Friendsgiving often means a young adult has built a circle of people who care about them, which is something worth celebrating, not competing with.
Families Are Hitting the Road
A new survey from the RV Industry Association, reported November 5 by Modern Campground, estimates that 11.4 million Americans plan RV trips over Thanksgiving, with 11.2 million planning RV travel around Christmas.
Sixty-three percent of RVers planning winter trips named affordability as a leading reason. Nearly half (49%) plan to attend family gatherings on their RV trips in the year ahead. RVIA spokesperson Monika Geraci said, “Holiday travel should be about spending time with the people you love, not stressing over how to get there.”
Help in the Kitchen, and More Takeout
The CivicScience report also shows a shift in how the meal comes together. Forty-three percent plan to cook everything from scratch, down from 46% in 2024, while 18% plan an entirely pre-made spread, up from 13% in 2024. Nearly half (46%) say they are at least somewhat likely to order takeout or delivery the night before Thanksgiving.
Hosts would welcome a hand, too. In a Butterball survey released in September, 85% of hosts said they want guests to pitch in, but only 38% actually ask. Cleanup was the moment hosts said they most need help.
Yes, Some People Will Talk Politics
Coming just after this week’s elections, one more number stands out: 21% of Americans plan to discuss politics at their holiday gathering, the highest share since CivicScience began tracking the question in 2019. Another 27% say maybe.
Families hold many different views, and that is okay. What matters most is that everyone at the table feels respected and loved.
Simple Ways to Make Room at Your Table
- Invite one more. A neighbor, a coworker far from home, a college student, or a widow down the street may have nowhere to go.
- Ask for help, and mean it. Hand out small jobs: rolls, ice, setting the table, or a cleanup crew. Guests often love feeling useful.
- Bless the Friendsgiving. If your adult child is going to one, offer a favorite family recipe to take along.
- Agree on table kindness. Before the meal, gently suggest that everyone listens first, speaks kindly, and knows when to change the subject.
- Go easy on yourself. Store-bought pie still tastes like love when it is shared.
- Plan the road trip well. If you are driving, build in rest stops, and check the weather before you leave.
An Open Door Is a Gift
Long before surveys and travel forecasts, Scripture called God’s people to open their homes and hearts.
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Hebrews 13:2 (KJV)
Whether your table seats four or twenty, this can be the year someone feels truly welcome at it. The food will be eaten and the dishes will be washed, but the memory of being included can last a lifetime.
Through every storm, we rise together.
Who is one person you could invite to your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table this year?
Sources: CivicScience, “6 Consumer Trends to Watch for Thanksgiving 2026” (Nov 5, 2026); Modern Campground, “RVIA Survey Finds 11.4 Million Americans Plan Thanksgiving RV Trips” (Nov 5, 2026); Butterball via PR Newswire, “Butterball Togetherness Report Reveals 2026 Thanksgiving Outlook” (Sep 28, 2026); KJV Hebrews 13:2
Leave a Reply