By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy family and friends, to put people first, and celebrate the blessings God has given us. The best advice I can give is to unplug—That means turning off the busyness of the outside world by silencing our phones and other electronic devices. Determine to participate in old-fashioned, face-to-face conversation. I hear the groanings, and the protests don’t necessarily erupt from young people.
Your Thanksgiving might be traditional with family and friends sharing turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, all the sides, and pumpkin pie. Or you might have opted to let a restaurant prepare your meal. Some are vegetarian; some are vegan; some are diabetic or gluten-free, and the list of dietary restrictions goes on. But we deal with the food the best we can. Our goal is to enjoy our loved ones, even the ones who aren’t easy to love.
What about conversation? The following conversation starters will help keep the laughter and good times coming.
- If you could watch today’s football game with anyone in the world, who would it be?
- What are you most thankful for this year?
- If you could open any kind of retail store, what would it contain?
- If you could be famous for something, what would it be?
- If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
- What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
- What is your all-time favorite movie?
- Where do you want to take your next vacation?
- If you were given a pet elephant, what name would you choose?
- What has God done in your life that you are most thankful for?
When your family and friends unplug and engage in conversation, relationships become firmly rooted, and unforgettable memories are made.
How do you plan to unplug this Thanksgiving? *Hint. Use a basket to gather up smartphones before the dinner prayer.
Comments 31
Thank You Father for Your love, grace, kindness, goodness, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, Your Word, for 54 years with my dear husband who’s now been with you for 23 years, for my 2 dear children, one grandchild who is in Heaven, for wonderful neighbors and friends.
Thank You for DiAnn who gives us a place to share our thankfulness.
Lord, open the eyes of many this season who don’t know You. Let many come to the saving knowledge of Your Wonderful plan of Salvation, in Jesus’ precious Name…..Thank YOU:))
Vondia, your prayer touched me. We all have so much to be thankful for, especially for our salvation through Jesus Christ. May you be blessed, my friend.
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for our family even though our gathering is whittled down to four this year through circumstances beyond our control. Though distance separates us, those who are absent are never far from our minds and hearts. Bless and protect them today and in the days to come as we finish out the year. Open the hearts and minds of those who do not know you that they might be open to Your Presence in their lives. Bless the food which has been prepared. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN.
Mel, thank you for your kind and insightful prayer. May God bless.
That is a great idea getting a basket to collect the cell phones. I try to be thankful all year long. I am missing my dear husband. He passed away last October 7. I know he is in heaven with Jesus and that comforts me. Reading my Bible and praying keeps me focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for me.
Linda, holidays can be difficult when we’ve lost those dear to us. We forget the joy of heaven and can’t wait to see them again. God is good even when we don’t understand. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Thank you, dear DiAnn! You are correct.
Oh how we need to unplug from electronics and plug into people! I’m so glad you shared this 🥰 have a blessed Thanksgiving and keep on writing! I love your books!
Thank you, Kelli! Aren’t we glad God doesn’t require a device to plug into Him? Thanks for reading my books.
Unplug the electronics and plug in to the heart. Talk of family and loved ones that have passed away. Play a crazy table game and laugh. Let your soul soak up the un-matched gift of love.
Tedd, your words of wisdom should be framed or in a greeting card. Thank you! May your Thanksgiving and holiday season be filled with blessings,
Unplugged and “Be Still” that’s when we see and listen best. At least I do.
Many blessings to each of you.
Thank you, Joyce. “Be still” is so hard but so rewarding.
I like the idea of unplugging. Happy Thanksgiving, DiAnn! You are a blessing.
Debbie, you are a blessing! May you have a restful Thanksgiving filled with love and peace.
Unplugging is what we need to do on this special day. We can do without our electronics for that long and concentrate on how blessed we are. Happy Thanksgiving, DiAnn!
Thank you, Barbara! Happy Thanksgiving to you. May the day be filled with laughter, love, and sweet memories.
These are wonderful ideas for unplugging at the holidays and simply get to know one another better. I do wish my grandchildren could be with us on Thanksgiving. Some you these questions would be so perfect for them.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, DiAnn!
Martha, so glad you enjoyed the ideas. May your Thanksgiving be filled with love and unexpected surprises.
Love your conversation starters! #5: The ability to keep my foot out of my mouth–and it would require a superpower! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Peggy, Yep! I need a super power to help me control what I eat too! Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving! My family will be coming to my new home and the dining hall will be serving our Thanksgiving meal. We normally gather at my son’s home, but I’ve had vertigo for almost 3 weeks and can’t drive. And this is the first holiday season without my husband. Still, I am grateful for the goodness of God. Blessings to you and yours, Edwina
Edwina, you and your family are in my prayers this first Thanksgiving without your husband. Be blessed!
Soo agree with you. I feel family time has lost the value it used to have. Too many cell phones attached to ones hip and TV’s blaring away. Good thought about the basket to collect the phones. I enjoy reading all the things u send. Sometimes use them as devotions when asked to do one. Always told “I enjoyed your devotion “. Keep them coming . Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family. God Bless.
Hi Joan, my husband has a Thanksgtiving and Christmas basket to collect phones when family arrives. It does make a difference. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. I appreciate your kind words.
Happy Thanksgiving DiAnn! After our daughter calls from Japan, I will be unplugging and enjoying food and laughter with my husband, our son and our pets; and thanking God for them all. I am also thankful for your emails full of encouragement and fun ideas. Thanks!
Valerie, may your Thanksgiving be filled with love and laughter from all over the world.
Happy Thanksgiving ma’am. For all the things I thank God for during the year, I’m counting you and your encouragement twice.
J.D., you always say what makes me and so many others feel special and encouraged. God has a special crown for you. And maybe, the white stone we receive with a new name might have Barnabas for you. Be blessed, my friend.
Great idea. We’ll do it!
Thanks, Mike, the first time my husband brought out the basket to collect phones, it met with moans and groans. Now it’s expected, and we have a wonderful time.