It’s that time of year again where we all argue over whose gravy is the best and whether or not the cranberry sauce was homemade or canned. I, like many other Americans, appreciate the food-fueled holiday of Thanksgiving. However, before (and sometimes after) I get the family fun-time of Thanksgiving, I like to enjoy a wonderful meal with a group of friends.

Friendsgiving is one of the best ways to spend time with friends. Not only do you get to eat amazing food with the people you choose to hang out with, but you get to learn a little more about each of your friends in the process. Here are the top 5 reasons you should have a Friendsgiving:

1. You get to choose who your Friendsgiving consists of

You can pick your friends, and that might be the ultimate appeal of Friendsgiving: all of that quality time with people you choose to be around, not people you were born into being around.

2. You can make whatever you want

At family Thanksgivings, there is often a particular, consistent menu. But, at Friendsgiving, you can make whatever your little cooking heart desires.

3. You get to try your friends’ cooking

While this could be semi-dangerous, most of the time your friends make their specialty dishes for this event. This means you can see how bomb that stuffing they always brag about actually is.

4. You learn more about everyone and their backgrounds

When your friends come from different countries or even different parts of the U.S., they all have a particular dish from that area. Cornbread stuffing? Sweet Potato casserole? Yes, please.

5. It’s a good ole time

Fantastic food and friends, what more could you ask for?

So get out there and enjoy your friends and their specialty dishes this Thanksgiving season with a wholesome, Friendsgiving dinner!