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A great Thanksgiving is as much about the conversation as the food. These 50 Thanksgiving conversation starters are warm, easy and family-friendly, with questions for gratitude, memories, kids and deeper talks, so the table keeps talking long after the pie. Print them, write them on place cards or drop them in a jar in the middle of the table.
Gratitude Questions
- What is one small thing that made you happy this year?
- Who is someone you are grateful for that might not know it?
- What is a lesson this year taught you?
- What is something you own that you are especially thankful for?
- What is a tradition you are grateful we still keep?
- What is the kindest thing a stranger has done for you?
- What made you laugh the hardest this year?
- What is something about your hometown you appreciate more now?
- What skill are you thankful you learned?
- What is one thing you are looking forward to?
Family Memory Questions
- What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
- What dish reminds you most of your childhood?
- Who in the family makes the best holiday recipe, and what is it?
- What was the most memorable family trip you have taken?
- What is a family story you never get tired of hearing?
- What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- What is the best piece of advice a grandparent gave you?
- What was your favorite holiday gift as a kid?
- How did your parents or grandparents meet?
Fun Questions for the Whole Table
- If you could only eat one Thanksgiving side dish forever, what would it be?
- What would your perfect day look like from start to finish?
- If you could live in any decade, which would you choose?
- What is the best book or show you discovered this year?
- If you could have dinner with anyone, living or not, who would it be?
- What is a hobby you would love to pick up next year?
- What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
- If you won a free trip tomorrow, where would you go?
- What song always gets you on the dance floor?
- What is your most-used emoji, and why?
Questions for Kids
- What are you thankful for at school?
- If you could invent a new holiday, what would it celebrate?
- What is your favorite thing about our family?
- If you were a turkey, how would you hide on Thanksgiving?
- What superpower would you want, and how would you use it?
- What is the best thing you learned this year?
- If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be?
- What would you cook if you were in charge of dinner?
- Who is your best friend, and what do you love about them?
- What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?
Deeper Conversation Starters
- What is something you changed your mind about this year?
- What is a goal you are proud of reaching?
- Who has shaped who you are the most?
- What does a good life look like to you?
- What is something you wish you had more time for?
- What tradition would you love to start?
- What are you most proud of in our family?
- What would you tell your younger self?
- What is one way you want to give back next year?
- What is something you hope never changes?
How to Use These Conversation Starters
Write one question on the back of each place card, tuck them under napkins, or fill a small bowl with folded slips and pass it around between courses. Let each person answer and pick the next question.
Setting the table? See our Pottery Barn holiday guide for dinnerware, linens and centerpieces.