“Family remains central to the Thanksgiving holiday, far outpacing food, football and Black Friday shopping,” says Doug Jeske, president of Meyocks, the Iowa branding and marketing firm that conducted the study. “But to keep family a blessing, many Americans decide to avoid conversations that might change their feelings toward their family members.”
Still, nearly a quarter of Americans expect to talk politics this Thanksgiving. Surprisingly, perhaps, there is no correlation between those willing to talk politics and whether alcohol is served with the meal.
While there is considerable disagreement in this country over politics, Americans unite when it comes to Thanksgiving food:
- 96 percent of Thanksgiving dinners will feature turkey.
- 86 percent will have stuffing.
- 83 percent will have mashed potatoes.
- 80 percent will have dinner rolls.
- 74 percent will have pumpkin pie.
- 71 percent will have green beans.
If you’re looking for home-made stuffing or gravy, however, you may want to make your way to your rural relatives, who are more likely to serve these offerings than their urban counterparts. But you’re no more likely to hear a prayer there: rural, suburban and urban residents are equally likely to say a blessing before the meal.
About 40 percent of Thanksgiving celebrations feature a “kids table,” though about a third of the time there’s a kids table, adults sit there as well.
After the meal, 41 percent of Americans will take a walk to help work it off. Only 34 percent admit to a post-meal nap.
Happy Thanksgiving!