While most holidays center on meals, the true meaning and intention behind them is generally togetherness. Rather than filling up on food, indulge in conversation and spend quality time with your friends and family. This Thanksgiving, try these tips to take the focus off the food.
Work the room. Make time to talk to everyone and actively listen and engage them in conversation. Show you are listening by asking open-ended questions, providing thoughtful responses, and make strong eye contact.
Get up and moving! It can be a great way to spend time together. Games like charades can get you moving, or organize a flag football game. Click here for ideas.
Take turns sharing what you’re thankful for. While waiting for dinner or sitting down to eat, go around the table and have everyone share three things they are thankful for. Make it even more interesting by setting a “no repeat” rule to get everyone really thinking.
Share favorite memories from previous holidays. Talking about years past is a great way to bond with family and friends.
If you’re hosting, ask your guests to bring a photo album to share and put out some of your favorites. It can help stimulate happy memories and encourage people to catch up with one another.
Similarly, if you’re the host, provide reading material such as magazines, newspapers, books of shorts stories, etc. to encourage your guests to read and spark conversation.
Write notes of gratitude to the people you’ll see at dinner before you go and distribute them while there. Showing your appreciation for others can boost the mood of others as well as your own!
From all of us at Health Advocate, we wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving Day!
