I’ve always seen Thanksgiving as a holiday of sharing.

For years, it’s been my favorite holiday — not just for the food, but for the company it creates. It’s one of the few holidays where family and friends come together to celebrate each other.

I also love reflecting on and sharing my gratitude for the simple things in life. As the weather gets chillier and the days darken earlier, I like to remember how fortunate we truly are.

Over the years, “Friendsgiving” has become quite popular. Friends organize a potluck of Thanksgiving-esque foods and come together to commemorate their community and the people within it.

I, personally, am a huge fan of Friendsgiving. Not only do I get to recognize and thank my amazing friends for everything they do, but I also get to enjoy some delicious food!

While I think the customary Thanksgiving foods are delicious, I love the freedom that comes with Friendsgiving. There’s no pressure to adhere to well-known Thanksgiving foods, and it’s always interesting to see the unique menus my friends come up with.

Especially living in the dorms, cooking real food is harder than ever. This is the year for unorthodox Thanksgiving meals. Pre-made dishes or easy-to-assemble snacks are the go-to for easy Friendsgiving prep.

My friends and I debated thinking outside the box for our menu inspiration, but since we have access to a kitchen, we’re keeping our Friendsgiving relatively traditional with some comfort Thanksgiving staples — hello, mac and cheese and apple pie.

I wanted to offer up some of my own dos and dont’s when it comes to planning Friendsgiving so you can avoid any unnecessary stress and focus on what’s most important: having fun with your friends.

Do: Plan out the meal ahead of time

Do you want a traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and mashed potatoes? Or do you want an unconventional Thanksgiving dinner, like Italian food or a charcuterie board? I’ve been to a Friendsgiving where everyone was instructed to bring dessert. Decide what you want the theme of your Friendsgiving to be and plan from there.

Don’t: Forget about dietary restrictions

Some friends have allergies or can’t eat certain foods. Make sure to double-check ahead of time to make sure there are at least a few options for them to choose from. If you can find a substitute recipe you want to try as well, that’s great.

Do: Organize the meal potluck-style

Cooking an entire Thanksgiving feast is a huge job for one or a few people. It’s easier — and more fun — to divvy up the work and have everyone bring one dish. This helps with the pre-planning of Friendsgiving and ensures no two dishes are the same. It’s also fun to see people’s different takes on classic foods.

Don’t: Forget the leftover containers

I have always been a leftovers girl. It might be because it’s my favorite holiday, but the three days after Thanksgiving are pure bliss for me. The number one rule of Friendsgiving is bringing more food than everyone can eat, and no matter how much you stuff yourselves full, I can assure you that you will still need plenty of to-go boxes.

Do: Have non-food-related activities

While the dinner is an important component of Friendsgiving, it doesn’t have to be the star.

Play your favorite fall playlist while everyone is getting set up, have a Thanksgiving arts and crafts activity on hand after dinner or turn on “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” special during dessert.

Even if you don’t use all of these ideas, having them on hand allows the night to continue on and makes it even more memorable.

Don’t: Worry about perfection

Sometimes the media convinces us that we have to be perfectly aesthetic and “Instagram-worthy,” but I think that’s nonsense. Friendsgiving is about getting together with your friends and enjoying each other’s company.

At the end of the day, having friends come together and show their gratitude for each other and their relationship is incredibly special to me. I do miss my friends from home, but I can’t wait to celebrate with the friends I have made here in Boston.

Sharing meals and memories with those closest to me is the highlight of my November. I hope you can utilize some of these tips and create your own Thanksgiving traditions with your loved ones.