The holidays can be a contentious time with friends and family even in non-election years. This year, the decks are stacked against all of us. But have no fear! Today, we’re bringing you 25 conversation starters that have absolutely nothing to do with politics! (We hope.)
How’s the Weather?
Want to keep it safe? You can’t get more of a basic icebreaker than this. It’s the ultimate small-talk topic. Just be careful when bringing up devastating storms, because someone will try to make that political.
Highs and Lows of the Day
Go around and ask everyone for the high point of their day. This will usually make someone stop and reflect on their day before they can answer, which is a good mindfulness practice. You could repeat with the low point of the day, if the mood of the table can handle it.
Desert Island Song
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only hear one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? No one actually has an answer ready for this one, so there should be a fair amount of back-and-forth and teasing about each others’ musical tastes.
First Movie Theater Experience
This one is especially fun if you’re the youngest in a family gathering, because everyone else will probably have a story about you locked and loaded. Like, for instance, if someone begged and begged to go see E.T. in the theater, and then cried the rest of the day because “E.T. went home.” (It’s me. I’m someone.)
First Record/Cassette/CD Ever
I’ll include a caveat here that it should be the first record/cassette/CD purchased with one’s OWN MONEY. That way the choice can’t be blamed on anyone else. Mine was New Kids on the Block and I regret NOTHING.
Cake vs. Pie
The eternal debate of confectionary superiority. Flaky crust or spongey cake? Gooey filling or fluffy frosting? Ice cream or no ice cream? This one could keep you busy for a while.
Best Kind of Pie
When you finally come to a consensus on the above question, the next step is naturally to decide on the best pie filling ever. Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? Blueberry? Cherry? Frito? You decide.
Favorite Toy as a Kid
What was the most exciting toy you ever got for your birthday? Was it a He-Man action figure? A Barbie? A Pound Puppy? A Care Bear? Am I dating myself, here? In all seriousness, everyone’s got a story about the best toy ever. Watch their faces light up with nostalgia and wonder.
First Car
Ask someone about their first car. Was it a hand-me-down from a family member, or something they bought with their allowance? What color was it? Did it have a name? Did it have a working radio? What was its greatest adventure? These are the important questions, folks.
Who’s the Best Chris?
A moment of levity, please, as we discuss the one pop culture Chris to rule them all. Evans? Hemsworth? Pine? My answer’s always gonna be Farley, but your mileage (and opinions) may vary.
Coffee or Tea?
As a lifelong coffee drinker who no longer holds her caffeine all that well, this one’s topical for me. It’s no longer just a hypothetical US vs UK debate. I genuinely might like a cup of green tea better these days. What say you?
Cat Person or Dog Person?
So there’s no wrong answer here. Except that there is. Because barring allergies, if you say you dislike either of these precious creatures that we absolutely do not deserve, you’re getting the stink eye from me.
Beans or No Beans in Chili?
I was not raised in Texas, and am pretty darn proud of my chili recipe, so for me the answer is always “OF COURSE chili has beans.” But I hear it can be a contentious debate, so go forth and godspeed.
First Job
This can be an especially fun topic for older guests around the dinner table. There’s a big difference between finding your first job in the 1960s and the 2010s. Let the
“I could fill up my gas tank for five dollars” stories commence!
Friends vs. The Office
No, there’s no right answer to this one, but there will surely be opinions. And catchphrases. Oh, so many catchphrases.
Binge-Worthy TV
This is the part of night when you inevitably find out that someone you thought was completely normal has not seen The Office. Or Game of Thrones. Or Ted Lasso. People just do not watch enough TV.
What Was Your First Concert?
Another fun one that will vary wildly among the generations present. Did your parents take you to see your favorite singer when you were a kid? Or did you have to sneak out of the house as a teenager because they would NEVER and you just had to see Counting Crows? Hypothetically speaking, of course.
How ‘Bout Them Chiefs?
Ok, so if you’re not careful, I suppose this one could turn political. But more than likely you’ll just hear people rant and rave about football a bit. Or share their opinions about Taylor Swift. GENERALLY wholesome stuff.
Best Fast Food Restaurant
Regionality might play into this, but you’ll probably notice that most people agree that Burger King is horrible and Arby’s is amazing and nothing else matters.
How You Met Someone Else at the Table
I don’t care if you know every single person at that table and have heard every single origin story about the group in question, these are always fun. Normalize telling the same stories over and over again. That’s how history used to be taught.
A Book Everyone Should Read
It’s possible this topic could get a little preachy, so try to keep it light. But everyone’s got that one book they wish was on everyone else’s night stand, if only so they’d have someone to geek out with.
Go-To Movie Theater Snack
Are you a sweet or salty person? Popcorn and nachos or Sourpatch Kids and M&Ms? I’m sorry, the correct answer is both. And for the record, the only way Raisinets are palatable is if they’re chased by buttery popcorn. I don’t make the rules.
What Did You Want to Be When You Grew Up?
This one could swerve into melancholy territory, so try to lead the conversation toward the first thing they remember wanting to be (hopefully something like a ballerina or cowboy).
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Controversial Movie Opinion
Everybody’s got one. What movie did everyone else in the world seem to adore that you thought was just meh? (Or worse, outright bad?) Mine’s The Shining, but that’s a subject for a different article.
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Your Favorite Halloween Costume
You know there’s at least one that you’re, like, weirdly proud of. It could be the most intricate cosplay you’ve ever done, or maybe it was that year you wore a white t-shirt that said “404: Costume Not Found.” Either way, there’s a story there.
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