The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Girl Scout Cookie-Themed Friendsgiving

The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Girl Scout Cookie-Themed Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is the holiday that thrives on creativity, low stakes, and high levels of comfort. But as we move into 2026, the traditional turkey and stuffing can feel a bit... expected. If you’re looking to inject some serious nostalgia and vibrant energy into your next Friendsgiving gathering, look no further than the iconic green sash.

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This year, we’re trading cranberry sauce for Caramel deLites® and mashed potatoes for Thin Mints®. Whether you are hosting an adult-only "Kitsch-giving" or a high-energy afternoon for the kids, a Girl Scout Cookie-themed Friendsgiving this Winter is the perfect way to celebrate friendship and community.

Plus, there is big news in the cookie world this season that provides the perfect conversation starter for your party. (See the cookies below: Source - GirlScouts.org)

Girl Scout cookie-themed Friendsgiving 2026 display with various cookies on a white background.

The 2026 Cookie Report: What’s New and What’s Gone

Before you start your guest list, you need to know the state of the "Cookie-verse." According to recent reporting from Axios, the 2026 season brings a major shakeup to the lineup.

The Newcomer: Say hello to Exploremores®. This new addition is a rocky road ice cream-inspired sandwich cookie. It features a rich cocoa shell filled with layers of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond-flavored crème. It’s designed to evoke the spirit of adventure and the outdoors—making it a perfect centerpiece for a "nature-themed" Friendsgiving table.

The Retirements: Sadly, to make room for the new, we must say goodbye to the old. The Girl Scouts of the USA have officially retired Toast-Yay!® (the French toast-inspired cookie) and the Girl Scout S’mores® sandwich cookies (Axios, 2026). While fans of the cinnamon-iced Toast-Yay!® might be mourning, the introduction of the Exploremores® offers a sophisticated marshmallow-and-nut profile that fills that campfire-flavor void.

A diverse group of five friends camping on a sandy lakeshore at sunset. A man plays guitar while others gather around a warm campfire near a green canvas tent and a red cooler. A bridge is visible in the distance over the calm water enjoying a Friendsgiving event..

Planning Your Aesthetic: Kitsch vs. Classic

For the Adults: "Retro Troop Leader" Chic

For an adult Friendsgiving, lean into the "Kitsch." Think 1970s camping meets modern Wes Anderson aesthetic.

  • The Palette: Forest green, mustard yellow, and "Thin Mint®" teal.

  • The Table: Use a vintage scout-style canvas tarp as a tablecloth. Instead of traditional floral centerpieces, use vintage thermos bottles filled with wild sunflowers and dried wheat.

  • Place Settings: Use "Merit Badge" coasters. You can buy blank canvas patches and write each guest’s name on them with a fabric marker. To elevate the kitchy vibe, serve your main course on enameled tin camping plates.

For the Kids: "Color Pop & Cookie Shop"

Kids love bright, tactile environments. Make the party feel like a giant cookie booth!

  • The Palette: Rainbow! Use the colors of the cookie boxes: bright purple (Samoas®), red (Tagalongs®), and bright blue (Trefoils®).

  • The Table: Use butcher paper as a tablecloth and provide crayons so kids can "design their own cookie box" while they wait for food.

  • Place Settings: Use miniature plastic trophies at each setting that say "Best Cookie Eater" or "Top Salesperson."

A white concrete wall featuring a horizontal row of colorful spray-painted swatches in shades of purple, brown, green, blue, pink, and yellow. The wall is framed by solid teal stripes at the top and bottom.

The Menu: A Cookie-Infused Feast

You don’t have to serve only cookies, but you should definitely let them influence the flavors.

The Main Event

  • Thin Mint® Glazed Ham: Use a mint-chocolate balsamic reduction as a glaze for a savory-sweet centerpiece.

  • Lemon-Up® Herb Roasted Chicken: Use the citrusy notes of Lemon-Ups as a garnish and flavor profile for your poultry rub.

  • Savory Trefoil® Stuffing: Use crushed Trefoils® (the classic shortbread) in place of some breadcrumbs in your stuffing recipe for a buttery, slightly sweet crunch.

The "Build-Your-Own" Cookie Bar

This is the heart of the party. Set up a long table with the full 2026 lineup, including the new Exploremores®.

Activity: The "Cookie Lab" (Great for Kids & Adults) Instead of just eating the cookies, provide "transformation stations" where guests can create new food inventions:

  1. The Somoa® Sandwich: Provide a bowl of warm brie. Guests can sandwich a slice of brie between two Samoas® for a decadent, salty-sweet bite.

  2. Tagalong® Truffles: Provide a food processor or a heavy rolling pin. Guests can crush Tagalongs®, mix them with a bit of cream cheese, and roll them into truffles to be dipped in extra dark chocolate.

  3. Exploremores® Parfait: Since the new cookie is inspired by rocky road ice cream, set up a station with vanilla bean mousse, toasted almonds, and crushed Exploremores® to create a sophisticated deconstructed dessert.

A stack of chocolate chunk cookies resting on parchment paper on a marble tabletop. In the background, there is a glass of red wine, a lit candle, and a small white floral arrangement. Pistachios and walnut shells are scattered around the base of the cookies.

Activities & Entertainment

For Adults: The "Cookie & Wine" Pairing

While the kids are playing, the adults can engage in a curated tasting.

  • Thin Mints® pair beautifully with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon.

  • Lemonades or Lemon-Ups® find their match in a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

  • The new Exploremores® go perfectly with a nutty Sherry or a creamy Stout, highlighting the toasted almond and marshmallow notes mentioned in the Axios report.

For Kids: The "Badge Quest"

Create a series of "Friendsgiving Merit Badges" the kids can earn throughout the party:

  • The Kindness Badge: For helping clear a plate.

  • The Culinary Badge: For creating a new cookie invention at the Cookie Bar.

  • The Explorer Badge: For a scavenger hunt hidden around the "campsite" (your living room).

Locations: Taking it Beyond the Dining Room

  • The "Basecamp" (Living Room): If you have a fireplace, set up a "floor-nic" (floor picnic). Throw down faux sheepskin rugs, cushions, and lanterns. This is the perfect spot to debut the Exploremores®, as the chocolate and marshmallow flavors feel right at home by the fire.

  • The "Cookie Outpost" (Backyard): If the weather permits, set up a tent in the backyard. String up fairy lights and serve hot cocoa stirred with—you guessed it—a Thin Mint®.

A cozy winter car camping Friendsgiving setup inside an SUV trunk, featuring a woven breakfast tray, plush pillows, a straw basket, and a red plaid blanket. A person in a brown puffer jacket and orange beanie stands outside in the snow, looking toward a forest of pine trees.

The "Troop Leader Chic" Dress Code: Merit Badge Glamour

For adults looking to lean into the "Retro Troop Leader" aesthetic, fashion is all about 1970s nostalgia mixed with outdoor utility. Think high-waisted corduroy trousers in earth tones like mustard or rust, or a long plaid skirt in a heavy wool—perfect for a "floor-nic" as it can stylishly double as a picnic blanket for fireside lounging.

Layer the look with a crisp, tucked-in forest green button-down, a cozy "Thin Mint®" teal turtleneck, or an olive-colored trench coat for a sophisticated, weather-ready silhouette. To really nail the kitschy-cool vibe, top it off with a vintage driver hat or a classic wool cardigan, and don't forget a silk neckerchief secured by a brass slide. For those going full "merit badge chic," look for patches to temporarily pin onto a denim jacket or a canvas utility vest.

To finish it off, a sturdy pair of leather hiking boots with thick, colorful camp socks ensures you're dressed for a "scout-approved" winter gathering that is equal parts stylish and playful.

The "Troop Leader Chic" Wardrobe Checklist

To help your guests arrive in style, you can share this checklist of essential items for the ultimate themed outfit:

  • The Outerwear: An olive-colored trench coat or a canvas utility vest.

  • The Base Layer: A "Thin Mint®" teal turtleneck or a mustard yellow corduroy button-down.

  • The Bottoms: A long plaid wool skirt (picnic-ready!) or high-waisted earth-toned trousers.

  • The Headwear: A wool driver hat or a vintage scout-style beret.

  • The Details: A silk neckerchief or bandana with a brass slide.

    • Vintage-inspired merit badge patches (pinned to denim or wool).

    • Thick knit camp socks with striped tops.

  • The Footwear: Classic leather hiking boots or heritage loafers.

The "Style Merit Badge" Categories

  • The "Trailblazer" Award: For the guest who most creatively integrated the long plaid skirt or olive trench into their look.

  • The "Troop Legend" Award: For the best overall "Retro Troop Leader" aesthetic (bonus points for the limo driver hat, beret or sash).

  • The "Badge of Authenticity" Award: For the guest who found the most unique vintage patches or accessories.

  • The "Most Prepared" Award: For the person whose outfit is most practical—the one who actually uses their skirt as a blanket or has a "scout kit" in their pockets.

A young woman posing outdoors in an olive green trench coat, a black newsboy cap, and a red patterned neck scarf. She is wearing a black and white plaid skirt and standing next to a tree with a white building in the background.


Celebrating the "Spirit of Exploration"

As the Girl Scouts of the USA noted when introducing the new flavor, their cookies are about more than just sugar; they reflect a "spirit of exploration" (Axios, 2026). A Friendsgiving is the perfect time to explore new traditions, new flavors, and deeper connections with the people you love.

By celebrating the nostalgia of the classics and the excitement of new additions like the Exploremores®, you’re not just throwing a party—you’re building a community. So, grab a box (or ten), put on your favorite flannel, and get ready for a Friendsgiving that would make any Troop Leader proud.

References: Axios. (2026, January 6). Girl Scout cookies: Exploremores joins the lineup as two flavors are retired. https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/girl-scout-cookies-exploremores-cookie

Photo Sources: GirlScouts.org (Cookies) & Unsplash for all other photos.

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