15 Unique and Peaceful Conversation Starters Perfect For Thanksgiving
Are you looking for a way to open up a conversation at Thanksgiving this year without uncomfortable debates and awkward silence? This year, you can come prepared with these 15 unique and peaceful conversation starters that will bring out some good conversations that everyone can participate in.
There are plenty of ways to bring lightness, from asking others what hobbies they’ve recently picked up that make them happy to what Thanksgiving dish they could eat all year round.
These positive conversation starters will also help you explore other topics that can help you get to know your guests better.
This Thanksgiving, shake up the usual “what are you grateful question” and try one of these 15 conversation starters to improve your Thanksgiving talks around the table!
1. What’s One Lesson You Learned This Year That You’re Grateful For?
Instead of asking someone generally to name something they’re grateful for, which can be many things, ask them to reflect on the past year and choose one lesson they’re grateful for.
This question is more open-ended than asking, “What are you grateful for?” It prompts not only a recent example but also more to the answer.
2. If You Could Celebrate Thanksgiving Anywhere in the World, Where Would it Be and Why?
There’s no place like home for the holidays, as the song says, but what if you could choose anywhere else in the world to spend Thanksgiving?
Prompt your family with this question, and see where everyone would like to spend Thanksgiving and why! Is it the food options? The landscapes and sceneries? Or simply for a change?
3. What’s One Classic Thanksgiving Food Item You Could Do Without?
According to a survey of 4,000 Americans, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and roasted veggies are amongst the least popular Thanksgiving side dishes.
Would you agree? Would your family agree? Ask them to see what makes their top list of least favorite Thanksgiving food items.
4. Is There a Family Tradition or Memory That Makes You Feel Incredibly Grateful?
Go down memory lane with your family, and ask family members around the table to recall some of the good times from Thanksgiving past.
This is a great question to get everyone to reflect on moments of gratitude that involve other family members and moments spent together.
5. Which Thanksgiving Food Would You Happily Eat Every Day if You Could?
We often talk about what Thanksgiving side dishes we like the least, but about asking your guests what their favorite side dish is for a change?
Another survey of about 5,000 Americans revealed that their favorite Thanksgiving side dishes included stuffing and mashed potatoes.
Bring up this thought, and see what your family surprises you with!
6. What’s Something You’re Looking Forward to in the Coming Year?
This prompt makes guests think and look forward to the future, whether accomplishing goals, starting a new hobby, or planning for something big.
Asking family members this question can also help those around the table get to know each other better and feel inspired by each other’s goals and aspirations for the new year.
7. Who Would You Choose if You Could Swap Places With Someone at This Table For a Day?
Asking this question is fun, and getting the answer is even more fun! Understanding why certain family members would swap lives for one day also lets you see what parts of their lives they are curious about and want to learn more about.
It also prompts some storytelling and insight into each person’s daily life, which is great and interesting, especially if you don’t see family members often throughout the year.
8. What Hobby or Skill Have You Recently Picked Up That Makes You Happy?
This question is another great one to ask when connecting with family and friends, as it can give you a preview of the person answering the question’s well-being, how they like to spend their time, and what about that activity makes them happy.
It also highlights something the person is proud of and can even inspire some people at the table to try something new.
9. If You Had to Describe Thanksgiving in Three Words, What Would They Be?
Depending on their perspectives, this question is great for learning how each person describes Thanksgiving.
Words like gratitude, joyful, busy, chaotic, and fun can tell you a little bit about what the holiday is like for others, which can open up a discussion about getting to know each other better.
10. What’s a Small Act of Kindness You Experienced Recently That You’re Thankful For?
Any question like this that prompts guests to reflect on an act of kindness they experience feels good not only to the person who experienced it but also to the person who listens to it.
It helps people feel hopeful, good, and inspired to perform more acts of kindness in their lives, regardless of the day or celebration.
11. What Would Be Your Top Three Songs if You Could Create a Thanksgiving-Themed Playlist?
This question will help everyone at the table get to know each other as you listen to people choose specific songs. It’s a great gateway question to ask why the songs are specific and what memories they have with those songs.
To make it even more fun, someone can actively collect the songs and create a playlist to listen to throughout the night.
12. What’s One Thing You’re Proud of Yourself For This Year?
Asking your guests something they’re proud of themselves for allows everyone to learn more about them and show support and encouragement in their projects and activities.
Plus, it’s inspiring to hear what everyone is up to and something cool they’ve done. Overall, it creates a great ambiance of encouragement, pride, and confidence.
13. What Superpower Would Come in Handy if You Were Hosting Thanksgiving?
This question is a great way to share the stress of preparing for the holidays, including cooking, shopping, decorating, setting up the house, and much more.
It’s a fun way to see what task the people at your table focus on, which, maybe with the help of a superpower or the snap of a finger, could be easily resolved.
It’s a fun question that can lead to relatable stories and even finding out some hacks.
14. If Each Family Member Were a Thanksgiving Dish, Which One Would They Be?
This simple and silly question is one that everyone can participate in, no matter their age. It’s also a good question that can get some laughs from your guests when people explain why they chose certain dishes representing people at the table.
This would especially work if you and your family prepare your special dishes or deviate from the traditional Thanksgiving menu.
15. What Book/ Podcast/ YouTube Channel Did You Discover This Year That You Would Recommend and Why?
People love learning things that can improve their lives in some way, so a good conversation starter to share and receive inspiration from is asking others what content they discovered in the past year and why they would recommend it.
It’s a nice exchange of inspiration, motivation, and good ideas and projects for the new year!
Which of These Conversation Starters Will You Be Using This Thanksgiving?
Do you have any good conversation starters? Which one of these is your favorite?
Let us know in the comments!
