The Gym’s Top 4 Thanksgiving Dinner Tips
Holiday season has arrived! If you are preparing the Thanksgiving meal this week, you’ve already braved the grocery store crowds and meticulously planned your meal: what to prep ahead, what to cook ahead, which dishes to ask others to make, how to squeeze in that Turkey Trot once the turkey is in the oven… all the details.
All the details?
We often overlook the most important part of the meal — the people. Thanksgiving with the family can be hard, right?
Today we share with you The Communication Gym’s top 4 tips for making holidays at the dining room table a moment when you won’t need a Thanksgiving miracle!
1. Have a Plan
Before anyone arrives, even before you put the turkey in the oven, you may need to determine some guidelines depending on your family’s dynamic. It could be:
- No talking about politics, religion, or your son’s college major. (No, he does not need to explain again what he will do with it in the future.)
- Set boundaries around the touchy subjects, put caution tape around them, and ask all guests to agree to stay away from them.
Then, think about the seating arrangement. Would it be better to separate some family members and to group others? Having a younger family member create the place cards could become your next family tradition — whether it is before the guests arrive or for the bored child while adults socialize before the meal.
2. Keep Everyone Busy
This is Event Planning 101 and Classroom Management 101: There’s less chance of trouble when everyone is actively engaged. Your family may already have a tradition like flag football in the backyard or playing Macy's Thanksgiving Parade bingo. If not, and you think boredom may have contributed to some unpleasant situations in the past, consider introducing an activity.
- The Alphabet Game: Pick a topic (animals, vegetables, countries, etc.). The first person names an item in the category, and the next person thinks of something that begins with the last letter of the previous word. Keep it inclusive and fun!
- Play games that don’t spark controversy and make sure everyone can participate.
3. Focus on the Meaning of the Day
Not the historical focus, but gratitude.
What are you thankful for?
In some homes, family members take turns sharing something they’re thankful for as they begin the meal. Others may create a collage throughout the day — writing on a paper tablecloth or on paper feathers to attach to the (paper!) turkey centerpiece. This could also be a good time to share fun facts about your family heritage. After a little research, you might find a relative was responsible for inventing something you can’t live without or changed your family’s course forever.
4. Have a Tech-Free Thanksgiving
Confiscate phones or create a place for guests to park them out of sight — at least for part of the day. While smartphones offer entertainment and escape, we all need real human connection. Value that as much as we do at The Communication Gym.
Take some time before Thursday to think about what your family needs to have a memorable and successful Thanksgiving. We don’t want you to keep Adele on standby as your backup plan!
