In less than a week, Logan Airport will oscillate between welcoming familiar faces home and sending off those flying outbound for Thanksgiving. Some will spend the holiday in the company of friends or in-laws, and others will enjoy a turkey dinner at home with family. But coming home sometimes carries with it an inexplicable feeling of unease filled with quite a few awkward moments. And though it fades with a little conversation, a whole lot of turkey, and a few glasses of wine (since the original members of the kid’s table are now officially legal), it also helps to have some Thanksgiving with the family-style tips. Here is your guide on how to survive Thanksgiving at home.
1. Know that there will be questions – and probably a lot of them
How is school? How is work? Are you seeing anyone special? These questions tend to catch us off guard, and whether it’s the question or the answer that bothers us more, it helps to have some answers already prepared. Depending on how close you are with your family members, you may just spill your heart out. And you should. But for those like me, who are on the shy side even with family, it helps to have some neutral answers already figured out.
2. Stay active
Coming home translates to a whole lot of sitting, talking, drinking, and eating, and your daily Boston journeys to and from the T will turn into short walks to and from the kitchen. You should undoubtedly embrace the sudden splurge in your daily caloric intake by going for seconds at dinner and indulging in homemade desserts. But once you’ve awoken from your turkey coma splendor, it’s important to stay active. Take a walk, go for a run, play a game of football outside with some family members. Staying on your feet will not only help you de-stress and unwind but also fend off the excess pounds.
3. Balance between friends and family
Though family is your main reason for coming home, it’s possible that some of your friends will be in the area as well. You’ll want to go out with old friends and spend time just catching up. But since the Thanksgiving holiday is so short, it’s important to balance between friends and family. Set aside plenty of time to visit with relatives, especially if they’re the reason you came home. Answer your overly-concerned uncle’s many questions and listen to your grandmother tell you the same stories she always does. Part of what makes the holidays so great is going back to the basics – family – and everything that comes along with it.
4. Relax…and tolerate
Seeing family evokes many different emotions, and when all your family members are reunited under the same roof, there’s bound to be a little drama. Your overbearing sibling might start to wear on you and maybe your parents are stressing you out about jobs – among other things. It’s easy to get caught up in these little annoyances, but don’t lose sight of what the holiday is really about. Be tolerant, even celebratory, of your family’s idiosyncrasies, and don’t let them get under your skin. And most importantly, remember to be thankful for them, no matter how odd they might be.
Image via Adam Zyglis
