2023 Holiday Conversation Starters (Table Topics)

Looking forward to gathering with family and friends this holiday season, but dreading the inevitable chit-chat about weather, or worse, politics? If so, you're not alone. 

According to a 2021 poll, two-thirds (or 66%) of Americans hope to avoid political chatter during their Thanksgiving get-together with friends and family. These statistics aren't particularly surprising, given the often-divisive nature of political conversations. But, they do shed light on an interesting holiday conundrum. How can we keep the conversation captivating and meaningful, while steering clear of topics that can potentially upset the peaceful gathering? 

Further insights from another study suggest that our questions aren't unfounded. The research found that politically diverse holiday dinners tend to wrap up an average of 24 minutes earlier than their politically uniform counterparts. Yes, an intriguing political debate might stimulate the intellect of some around the table. But unfortunately, it could cause discomfort for others, leading to a rushed meal, and in some cases, an early exit.

Welcome to Remento's Annual Holiday Conversation Starters, designed to help you maintain the light, warm, and inclusive ambience we all seek during the holiday season. Let's explore a variety of engaging, non-political conversation topics that can keep the bonds as bright as your festive decorations themselves!

Our 2023 List of Holiday Conversation Starters

Looking back questions

1. What was your favorite part of the holidays as a child?
2. Who’s the most memorable person you’ve shared a holiday meal with? 
3. What’s the worst gift you’ve ever gotten?
4. What’s the strangest thing you learned this year?
5. What moment from this year you’d love to relive?
6. What’s the single best thing you ate this year?
7. What’s a common phrase you found out you say incorrectly?
8. What song most makes you feel like you’re 18 again?
9. Which movie from 2023 deserves a sequel?
10. What’s the best nap you’ve ever taken?
11. What’s the weirdest dream you had this year?

Today questions

12. What’s an irrational fear you have?
13. Do you eat corn on the cob across or around?
14. Cutlery in the dishwasher; pointing down or up?
15. Do you wet your toothbrush before you add toothpaste or after?
16. What’s the most annoying trait you’ve inherited, and who did it come from?
17. Do you actively wash your legs in the shower or let the soap run down?
18. What’s your favorite conspiracy theory (even if you don’t believe it)?
19. Spoon or fork with mac and cheese?
20. What’s the most overrated film of all time?
21. Do you consider a hotdog to be a sandwich?
22. If you had to hide a paperclip in your house, where would you hide it?
23. Does your cheese grater have a home in your kitchen or does it always go somewhere different?

Hypothetical questions

24. Which concert are you going to: Taylor Swift or Beyonce?
25. You just got tickets to your dream sports event. What is it?
26. What’s a job you’d be great at but absolutely hate?
27. What jeopardy category would you win every time?
28. You’re starting a podcast. What’s the topic?
29. What’s the first thing you’re buying after you win a $10M lottery?
30. Would you rather be able to speak all languages or speak to animals?
31. What kind of plant would you be and why?
32. Would you rather fly at 10mph or run at 100mph?
33. Which journalist would you let share your life story? 
34. Would you rather be followed by a band wherever you go or by someone narrating your life?
35. If you could only eat three things for the rest of your life, what would they be?
36. You can snap your fingers and have one niche skill. What is it?
37. What kind of house pet would you be? Include breed and where you’d live.
38. At this table, who would win Squid Game?
39. What would be your superpower and why?
40. What cartoon character would want to be stuck on a desert island with?
41. What kind of fish would you be and why?
42. What reality TV show would you thrive on?
43. Would rather have 100 duck-sized elephants or one elephant-sized duck?
44. Which family member would make the best politician?
45. Would you rather have a knife when you need a spoon or a spoon when you need a knife?
46. Who would win in a street fight: Ratatouille or Stuart Little?

Looking ahead questions

47. Who will be Time’s 2023 person of the year?
48. What's a new skill you want to learn next year?
49. Who will stage the best comeback in 2023?
50. Make the case for optimism in 2024.

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Want more? Check out our 2022 list of holiday icebreakers.

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