Friendorsgiving: A Table Built on Gratitude, Community, and the People Behind the Magic
Every November, just as the season begins to slow and the calendar starts to exhale, we gather around a table that means more to us than any perfectly designed place setting ever could. Friendorsgiving is our way of pausing - intentionally - to celebrate the people who make the House of Joy experience what it is: our vendor partners, affectionately known as our friendors.
What began as a simple idea has grown into one of our most meaningful traditions. Hosted in our home, Friendorsgiving is less about production and more about presence. It’s about showing up as humans first, before titles, roles, or résumés. And year after year, it reminds us why community is the foundation of everything we do. We recently sat down with House of Joy’s Creative Director and Owner, Samantha Leenheer, to reflect on the heart behind Friendorsgiving and what made this year’s gathering especially impactful.
Why do you host Friendorsgiving each year?
“At its core, Friendorsgiving is about gratitude,” she shared. “I host it to give thanks to so many new and old vendors. We come together to create incredible events for our clients, and they all deserve to be celebrated.”
In an industry built on collaboration, it’s rare that everyone who touches an event gets to be in the same room at the same time - without an agenda, timeline, or expectation attached. “They all have me in common,” she laughed, “so I love being able to foster new friendships, create great connections, or even help someone with something they need - right there with the people in that room. We deserve time together.”
And like many of the best ideas, Friendorsgiving was born from a simple, honest moment. “I had never been invited to a Friendsgiving,” she said. “And I thought, if I’m not invited to one, why not host one? So we did.”
What was most memorable about this year?
With each passing year, the table grows longer - and this year felt especially full. “The impact and the community has grown,” she shared. “We saw friends come in - some who’ve been part of House of Joy for years, and others who are newer to our world. Watching those connections happen in real time is always the most meaningful part.”
There’s something powerful about seeing conversations spark between people who may have worked the same weddings but never had the chance to truly connect. Friendorsgiving creates that space naturally, without forcing it.
What do you hope people walk away with?
“I hope they leave knowing that their community and network in this industry is so much bigger than they think,” she said. “I want them to feel confident showing up authentically and putting the human first - because that will always serve them best.”
By hosting Friendorsgiving in our home, the experience becomes intentionally intimate. The formality falls away. People pitch in, refill glasses, help in the kitchen, and linger longer than planned. The potluck-style meal invites everyone to bring something meaningful. “Each dish tells us a little more about who they are,” she explained. “It becomes part of the story.”
How would you encourage others to host gatherings like this?
Her advice is simple - and deeply aligned with the House of Joy philosophy. “Start with a purpose. Outline what you want people to feel, and then just do it. You can grow, change, and tweak it later. But first, you have to start.”
Friendorsgiving isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. It’s about creating space for gratitude, connection, and belonging in an industry that often moves too fast to pause.
As we close another season and look ahead to what’s next, we’re reminded that the most beautiful things we create aren’t just events—they’re relationships. And Friendorsgiving will always be our way of honoring that truth.
To our friendors: we are endlessly grateful for you. We can’t wait to gather again next year - same heart, same table, always room for more.
Learn about our 2024 Friendorsgiving here.
Photography by Chelsea Barhorst
