By the time we sit down for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner this year, sixteen days will have transpired since the United States' presidential election. As this year's election went, from the ample amount of campaigning to the mudslinging to the close final results, there will no doubt be a heavy temptation to resort to this topic during Thanksgiving table conversation. However, as political conversations usually go with family and extended family, this may not be the best conversation, and avoiding it could perhaps remind us of all the awesome things we are thankful for/ready for in the upcoming holiday season. So, if you're struggling for words to say, and the tempting words Clinton or Trump are on the tip of your tongue, here are a few recommended and safe topics to bring up at the dinner table.
1. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
It happens every year, and there are always new floats, balloons, and performers to talk about.
2. Black Friday
It's that thing that happens right after/during Thanksgiving. You better bet that that aunt of yours (or mine, anyway) is going to be hyped.
3. Crazy Black Friday shoppers
Yeah, Black Friday is fun, but it gets a little crazy. No doubt someone will have a little story to share about Black Friday shoppers.
4. What you're planning to buy on Black Friday
Every year, you say you're not going to get caught up in the mess. And every year, it ends up being a lie.
5. Christmas
Who can say they talked about Christmas and weren't instantly happy?
6. What you want for Christmas
7. Ugly Christmas sweaters
Let's face it, those sweaters are almost as fun as the gift-giving.
8. How you're going to decorate your home for Christmas
I don't know what your tradition is, but our family loves to set aside Black Friday to pretty much drown our house in Christmas decorations. Sometimes we even do it Thanksgiving night.
9. How you're going to decorate your dorm for Christmas
Okay, so there won't be quite as many decorations for this, but your crafty aunt will probably have some suggestions on how to make a string of lights go a long way.
10. Food
You can never go wrong with food.
11. Mamaw's amazing Christmas cookies
You can never go wrong with Mamaw's food. You could even hint to her that you and your roommates LOVE cookies, especially with finals coming up. (Love you, Mamaw.)
12. How the food you're sitting there eating is the best food you've ever tasted
Because let's face it, it truly is.
13. About how cold it has gotten
Winter is coming, my friends.
14. About how warm it has gotten
On the other hand, our weather is totally unpredictable. You could be showing up to Thanksgiving dinner in a sweater and jeans or a t-shirt and shorts. You never know.
15. Predictions for the amount of the snow you'll get this winter
Some people always say there will be no snow. Others predict there will be a blizzard. This is a safe little debate to have at the dinner table.
16. Predictions for the amount of times you're going to get out of school because of snow this winter
This also usually varies. If you're in college, especially if you go to my school, you can pretty confidently guess zero days.
17. New babies
If a family is having/just had a baby, talk about that! Everybody loves babies.
18. Babies who are getting older
You can talk about how that one cousin of yours is almost your height now. Your aunts and uncles can talk about how old you're looking. There's lots of babies in the family who are no longer babies. (Also shout out to the babies/college students who still sit at the kids' table.)
19. Your favorite TV shows
Safe TV shows to talk about: Dancing with the Stars and Friends. You can never go wrong with those.
20. Your favorite movies
Safe movies to talk about: anything Harry Potter, Marvel, or Disney. You can also never go wrong with those.
21. That A you got on your midterm project
At least if you got an A on your midterm project. If not, maybe just skip this topic.
22. That A that you're hoping to get on your final
There is always hope for the future. And your family never has to know the ACTUAL score you got on that final.
23. That awesome internship you landed
Brag about yourself a little. Maybe even make up the internship. Make the fam proud.
24. Puppies
25. Kittens
26. The history of Thanksgiving
If all else fails, just talk about the holiday itself. Just don't start debating about historical inaccuracies, historical conflicts, or anything like that. Just stick to the food, people. And the happy thoughts. And you will get through/thoroughly enjoy this holiday with little to no road bumps along the way.
