Keep Everyone Smiling During Thanksgiving

Not all Thanksgiving meals go swimmingly well. Sure, the turkey or one of the side-dishes can burn. But the biggest challenge – for many families- is making sure everyone gets along.

As the New York Times puts it:

Family grudges buried by time and distance resurface. New girlfriends meet ex-husbands. Prius drivers make small talk with S.U.V. owners. And vegans spend the meal defending themselves. It’s enough to break a cook’s heart.

The article gives some good advice about how to manage conflict, as well head it off. In particular:

1) Assign everyone a job; idle time often enables bad behavior.

2) If you suspect potential trouble or inappropriate conversation, have a pointed conversation with the perpetrator before the meal starts.

3) The host should try to steer a conversation away from dangerous subjects. If a guest says something designed to anger others at the table, acknowledge the guest’s opinion, then make a joke about it and ease the conversation in another direction.

4) Regarding conflict over when to watch the game: the article suggests that hosts set expectations upfront. Announce that the tv will remain on during appetizers but shut off during the main meal and dessert.

Of course, these guidelines don’t guarantee a harmonious meal, but they are a start.

Please tell us your tips for making holiday dinners easy to digest.