9 non-controversial, apolitical, and semi-conflict-free activities for your Zoom Thanksgiving celebration
In my family, having a drama-free Thanksgiving has always been a struggle. One side of the family lives to argue and will tear each other to shreds at the slightest provocation. The other side holds onto conflict and keeps it simmering, just below the surface, year after year. And then there’s my aunt Vikki who needs to be kept away from the wine, and my cousin David who needs to be kept away from my mom.
But our 2020 Thanksgiving celebration — taking place on Zoom with relatives from both sides of the family — will have its own set of challenges.
Below are a few activities we’ve come up with to keep everyone distracted, occupied, and too busy to argue or simmer on November 26.
1. Object find — give everyone five minutes to find an object that a turkey might like to eat and have them discuss it with the group.
Canned corn, bread crumbs, breakfast tacos
2. Stuffing share — have everyone talk about what they like to include in their stuffing.
On my mom’s side of family, we add pecans to our stuffing.
3. Cranberry creatives — brainstorm new ways to prepare cranberries.
Toffee-covered cranberry and raisin medley.
4. Thanksgiving bingo — There are several variations of bingo cards online that can be adapted for an online celebration . . . Etsy, Flavorwire, Teambuilding.com.
5. Vintage football — stream an old favorite football game and have it on in the background.
We’re a family of University of Texas fans, so we’ll be watching the 2011 Texas versus Texas A&M game, the final game of the rivalry.
6. Football names — watch the first three minutes of this NFL bad lip reading video and have everyone come up with their own goofy football name.
My football name is Larry Brockwafflawfski.
7. Ugly holiday sweater fashion show — if you own one . . . flaunt it. Have everyone model their ugliest holiday sweaters. Extra points for sweaters that light up.
8. Show and tell — just as we did in preschool, have everyone show and discuss an object that is meaningful to them.
9. Favorite song playlist — ask everyone to name their favorite song, add them to a playlist, and play them in the background. You may end up with everything from Cat Stevens to Drake on your playlist, but embrace it.
What do you think readers? Do you have any activities to add to the list?
