Holiday gatherings can be a time of laughter, love, and delicious food. For many, it can also be an encounter full of awkward questions and controversial opinions. (Thanks to your aunt who won’t stop asking if you’re ever getting married, or your cousins who will not give up on asking when you’ll be having a second child). And don’t even get started on anything to do with politics.
While we can’t guarantee that your Thanksgiving will be picture-perfect, here are four conversation starters to help you emerge as the family socialite.
Ask the happiest couple in the room what they thought of each other after their first date.
Maybe this is your grandparents, and they’ve been in love for 50+ years so they know what it takes to make a relationship work. Maybe it’s your nephew who just brought his girlfriend to a family event for the first time. Most couples enjoy reminiscing on their first date, and this will often lead to an interesting story.
Ask each person what they are grateful for.
Lots of families may already do this one, but if you don’t, it is a great way to feel the love. Thanksgiving is a time to remember all the things you are fortunate enough to have, and it can be nice to discuss these things with the people who are closest to you.
Find out the last book everyone read.
This can be such an engaging discussion that 1) may lead to you learn something new, or 2) help you to find your next book to indulge in. Whether it’s politics, self-help, or fiction, it never hurts to hear what others have been reading about.
Name your dream job.
The classic “what do you want to be when you grow up?” is always fun to ask kids, but it still gets adults in the room talking too. It’s interesting to find out what your family or friends are truly passionate about, and you may discover traits about people you didn’t know before.
