Often the Thanksgiving drama begins long before the turkey is put in the oven.

This is the holiday that is renowned for being a time that is important to spend with family, for better or for worse. A 2020 YouGov survey suggests that up to 61% of Americans consider their families to be the number one thing that they are thankful for during this time period, and yet it often seems to be a weekend fraught with stress and arguments. There are countless more topics to disagree on when relatives try to organize a celebration to experience together. 

While the most notorious of Thanksgiving disagreements may revolve around political differences, they are by no means the be-all and end-all of the drama that can surround the holiday. A lot of the time, anything that puts a strain on relationships is of a more interpersonal nature. Who hosts, who brings what, whether people are allowed plus-ones, and more can make this time of year as tense as any argument over who you voted for. As one of the few designated days that the majority of the country is going to spend with their families, it is an ideal time for resentments old and new to raise their heads.

To put a positive spin on a potential ordeal, Thanksgiving can be a good opportunity to check in on those relatives that you maybe don’t see so often, and take stock of how they are and how that relates to you. This could be a little painful, but perhaps it may be enlightening, too.