Wow! What a year!
As the old saying goes, “Unless you’ve been living under a rock,” I think we can all agree this has been another dramatic year.
I won’t specifically go through everything we’ve been exposed to this year (what would be the point of reliving it all?) But here are just a few things off the top of my head - two major raging wars and the United States' involvement in both. The whole basket of controversies at the Summer Olympics in Paris. And back on home turf, the presidential election which involved the VP of the US going up against Donald Trump.
We’ve not even touched on the arguments that continue to rage in ‘24 on global warming and its effect on the planet. The efficacy of vaccines. Inflation, immigration, women’s rights.
We are flooded with issues, and EVERYONE has an opinion.
And yet, in just about 10 days we’re going to bring EVERYONE and their opinions into our home to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Now, of course, Thanksgiving, which happens every year on the 4th Thursday in November, is not without its controversies.
But for the sake of this blog post, we’ve put aside the historical significance of Thanksgiving and agree that its modern-day focus is to express gratitude for the blessings in life, including family, friends, food, health, and the fall harvest.
Most of us celebrate by bringing the extended family together with friends and eating copious amounts of delicious food. If it could just be that simple (and that fattening!) But alas it is not. Because with those big appetites come even bigger personal opinions and inflated egos.
So how do you deal with this holiday stress? Especially after a major election.
You love your family and friends. You’ve worked tirelessly to put a beautiful meal on the table, or you’ve traveled far to celebrate this special day. The last thing you want is for the day to end with angry words or hurt feelings.
TwoWomen to the rescue! We’ve scoured the Web looking for the best tips and added a few of our own. Give them a go to create a peacefully memorable Thanksgiving Day.
6 Tips for Creating Harmony at Thanksgiving!
Set the boundaries. Set the intention. This first tip may seem controversial, but we think it’s critically important. Along with the invitation, you might let everyone know from the outset that the goal of the gathering is to celebrate family, friends, and overall gratitude, not to engage in heated political debates. This is especially true if your experience with this group has been punctuated with stings, slings, and insults. Encourage everyone to leave politics (and any other energized or tense topic) at the door.
Promote an environment that seeks out gratitude. Of course, we all are familiar with the practice of going around the Thanksgiving table and each person saying what they are thankful for. Love that. But let’s take it one step further. How about making it a point to weave gratitude into all of our conversations on Thanksgiving Day? It could even turn into a funny game, “Who Was the Most Thankful in 2024?”
Keep the focus on fun. After all, this is a holiday. Before the big day, plan fun activities for your guests. Something that all age groups can get involved in. Our family loves talent shows and board games. Think of some “oldies but goodies” that always bring people together. And maybe you let the younger generation plan a few activities for everyone. That’s sure to lighten the mood and create a joyful atmosphere!
Give attention to family stories and shared traditions. This one I love. Are there elders in the room? Let them share private memories and family history. Our stories add to our feelings of family and community. They bring us together, strengthen relationships and give us a sense of belonging.
Divide and Conquer. There’s a “kid’s table.” Is it impossible to create an “area” for those who simply must have a conversation about the last election, or any other “hot button” topic? I don’t know if the conversations can be completely contained but it’s worth a shot. Why ruin everybody’s day because of the unpleasant comments of the few?
YOU as Role Model – This one can be a challenge because you have opinions too. But as host or organizer, it’s our job to model the behavior we hope to see. Remain calm and positive in the face of potential disagreements. Your ability to stay composed and keep the conversation civil will influence others to follow suit. Good Luck!
So there you have it – our top six suggestions for keeping the peace for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Beth and I wish you a day filled with love, laughter, and, of course, great food with the people you cherish most. ❤️
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