Conversation Starters for the Holiday Dinner Table

With holiday meals approaching, and families gathering for time around the table, planning how to incorporate conversation starters can be a positive experience.

Politics aside, conversation is a great way to bridge the gap between generations and create a healthy environment where ideas and stories can be shared in the future.

Conversation Starters 101

Think beyond the “what are you thankful for this year?” question we’re all accustomed to. There are endless possibilities.

Most questions are for a child asking an elder however, you can have fun with it; and your kids may get some ideas based off questions you ask a family member or friend.

If you have children that are capable of re-telling an epic from their lives, encourage them to share with the group.

We’ve broken our suggestions for conversation starters into three (3) categories and welcome you to adapt them to fit your family and friends.

Stories & Personal Anecdotes/Histories

• Where did mom/dad, or grandma/grandpa grow up?
• What was on TV when mom/dad, grandma/grandpa were kids?
• What about my mom/dad/ drove grandma/grandpa, aunts/uncles crazy?
• What’s the most embarrassing thing everyone did as a kid?
• What’s not on the table that used to be in the old days?
• What’s the hardest thing about being a parent?

The Past Year’s Accomplishments & Setting Goals

• How many books did you read this last year? Movies or shows watched? And favorites of each.
• What was your best subject in school this year? Best grade?
• What’s ONE thing you learned this year you didn’t know last year?
• What’s something you want to do before we meet this time next year? (Common answer: be a better committee chair for my parent-teacher group)
• If you could do ONE thing that scares you, what would it be?
• If you could volunteer or help someone less fortunate, how would you spend your time?

“What If…” or “If you…” Games

• What if you had an extra hour each day? How would you spend it?
• If you could live in another decade, which would it be and why?
• What if you were famous? What would it be for, and why?
• If you were to live a single holiday everyday for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• Imagine someone gave you $100 right now. What would you do with it?
• If you could have named yourself, what would you want to be named?