What’s the One Topic You Always Avoid at Thanksgiving Dinner, and Why?

Memaw won’t let us talk about politics. We ain’t getting none of her homemade sweet potato pie if we do!

@ANAMARIATURNER611

There are a lot of exes in our family, and even though most of the splits were amicable, I try to keep the focus on the current family members and our future together. Negativity from the past detracts from the positive vibe of gathering as a family.

TERESA VAN YSSELDYK

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

Recipes! Especially when the group is large. Everyone seems to have their own variations on all the essentials. It can get hostile!

ANGELA JOHNSON

KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON

Our family lake cottage. Otherwise every holiday turns into an endless debate of “renovate or sell?”

CAITLIN ZINSSER

OAK PARK, ILLINOIS

We don’t avoid any topics. In fact, we set the stage for the new year by announcing our Word of the Year. It’s our family’s way of focusing on an area of our lives that needs attention. Come December, I memorialize the Word of the Year with a Christmas gift!

LINDA PATCHETT NEW CASTLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

When my husband and I will start having children.

SABA EBRAHIM HOUSTON

Politics! We’re a multigenerational household with a lot of opinions. Sticking to everyday life (children’s interests and accomplishments, new jobs, engagements, family additions) makes gatherings so much more enjoyable.

NANCY MAcDONALD MARSHFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

Money. When my parents were alive, we never spoke about it, period! That seems to have carried over to our generation. The youngest generation in our family is much more open about it, and my husband, brother, and I are open with our kids. Just not at dinner!

FINE

CYNDY

NEWTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

When my family gets together, we don’t talk about Covid, immunizations, or masks. Some family members believe that the pandemic is a hoax. It makes for awkward silences, but we’re still family and love each other dearly.

CATHERINE FOWLER

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON

Parenting styles. The generational gap on the matter is quite evident in our family.

@ANOUKIS

Never bring up which Real Housewife is the best, because we all know it’s Dorinda Medley, Aunt Helen!

JEN BOURGOYNE

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Joseph Mutz, 37 REGISTERED

What topic do you avoid at Thanksgiving dinner?

Drinking habits.

What’s your favorite family recipe?

A pumpkin pie recipe passed down from my great-grandfather, who ran a bakery in Philadelphia. It’s a family secret.

What’s always in your bag? A spare tie and a Tide pen. If one doesn’t fix the problem, the other does. Home is where…

The Le Creuset is.

What is the coziest thing in your home?

The pile of throws on the back of my couch. My pup, Quincy, would definitely agree with me on that one!

Who makes you laugh?

All of SNL’s leading ladies. What have you recently stopped doing?

Hitting snooze. It hasn’t changed my life (yet!).

NEXT QUESTION

What New Year’s resolution will you never make again? Send an email to yourwords@realsimple.com and let us know your answer. Your response could appear in the magazine!