Making memories away from home with friends and found family
By Taylor Altidor, PharmD, MHSA
Being away from family and loved ones during holidays, birthdays, and important milestones is never easy. Whether you moved away for college, relocated for your first job, or started a fellowship or residency in a new city, building a life away from home comes with its own set of challenges. Traveling home for every celebration isn’t always possible, but that doesn’t mean the celebrations have to stop. Enter: friends and found family!
The term Friendsgiving has no clear origin, but the tradition of gathering with friends to celebrate certainly extends beyond one holiday. While some people host Friendsgiving before Thanksgiving, others create their own traditions with classmates, coworkers, and friends throughout the year. From birthday dinners to graduation parties and first job celebrations, friends can make even an unfamiliar city feel a little more like home.
Living away from family has taught me the value of celebrating with the people around me. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate that a memorable gathering doesn’t require a big budget, a perfect setup, or an elaborate itinerary. Sometimes, all you need is good food, good company, and a reason to get everyone together. If you’re ready to host a gathering of your own, here are a few tips to get you started!
Choose a theme
This is one of the most fun parts of planning a gathering. A theme makes it easier to decide what food to serve, which activities to include, and how to capture memories through photos and videos. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or labor intensive. Holidays already have built-in themes, and sometimes a simple color scheme is all you need. Encourage guests to dress according to the theme and decorate your space to match. A little creativity goes a long way!
Know your guests
A good host thinks about what will help everyone feel welcome. Ask about dietary restrictions and preferences so there’s something everyone can enjoy. Consider which activities your guests might love and which they would rather skip. If you’re planning party favors, choose something thoughtful that they’ll actually use. Most importantly, remember that celebrations can bring up mixed emotions for people who are missing loved ones back home. Creating a relaxed, welcoming environment can make everyone feel included.
Enjoy your friends
It’s easy to get caught up in trying to be the perfect host. You want the food ready on time, the decorations to look great, and everyone to have a good time. But remember, the purpose of gathering is to spend time together. Order takeout, play games, share stories, or simply sit around and catch up. The memories you make matter far more than having everything go perfectly.
Starting a new chapter in your professional life often means building a new community along the way. While friends may never replace family, they can become an important part of the support system that makes life away from home feel less distant. So invite your people, make a little space, and celebrate the milestones—big and small.
You don’t have to wait until you’re back home to make a memory worth keeping!
Taylor Altidor, PharmD, MHSA, is an executive fellow with the Board of Pharmacy Specialties in Washington, DC. Outside of work, you can find her walking around DC, exploring the many museums and monuments.