When I say “old Tom Turkey” I think of ___________. Ask each guest to say this phrase before answering the question.BY BRENDA LAURENCE, WRITER AND SPEAKER
Holiday entertaining is some of the easiest to accomplish. Your house is already decorated for the season, and the purpose for the event is easily determined. If it is Thanksgiving, the purpose is to give thanks; if Christmas, the purpose is to celebrate the birth of Christ and the spirit of giving. If your event is for the New Year, the purpose to reflect over the last year and welcome in the new one.
One of the most important things to keep in mind while planning your event is that no matter how lavish or simple the decorations and food, what your guests will remember and take home with them is the conversation and relationship they experienced at the party. Along with all of the elements of planning your event, add a conversation recipe to the menu.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. Mixing fun conversation about the first Thanks-giving Day with expressions of individual thanksgiving will create an atmosphere of warmth and heartfelt thankfulness.
Thanksgiving Table Talk
When I say “old Tom Turkey” I think of ___________. Ask each guest to say this phrase before answering the question.
Everyone is thankful for laughter. Tell something that always makes you laugh.
If you were in a Thanksgiving play, what character would you be? Why?
What is your favorite dish in the Thanksgiving meal?
In reflecting over the past year, what happened that you’re very thankful for?
What are you thankful did not happen?
What would you like to be thankful for this time next year?
Name someone you are thankful for who has made a difference in your life this year.
Medical science has proven that people with an attitude of thankfulness are healthier in spirit, soul, and body. What advice can you give us on how to be thankful?
The Pilgrims paid a tremendous price, and many died for spiritual freedom. How has what they accomplished enriched your life?
Christmas
Christmas celebrations are full of traditions and symbols. Highlighting one of these symbols, such as candy canes, bells, stars, or angels creates an easy theme for your party. Whether your gathering is with friends or your family’s traditional Christmas Day, these suggestions will help your event be full of fun and at the same time share a spiritual message.
Ask everyone to bring an ornament (candy cane, bell, star, angel) that matches your theme. This ornament can be used throughout the evening and for a simple gift exchange.
Christmas Table Talk
What is your favorite part of Christmas?
What is your favorite Christmas food?
If you could spend a Christmas holiday anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What gift that you have received was the biggest surprise?
Ask guests to help identify carols that refer to your party theme. For instance, if your theme is angels, they might think of “Angels We Have Heard on High” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Encourage them to sing parts of the carols to help them remember the songs.
Ask each guest to share what the theme’s symbol means to them.
Read the true meaning and origination of the use of the symbol. (You can find information on the Internet by scanning for Christmas traditions or symbols.)
If the symbol is stars, read the scripture of the wise men being led by the star in the east to Bethlehem.
Share some information you find on the Internet about the celestial phenomena and the Bethlehem Star, or any interesting information about your theme (Christmas bells, candy canes, wreaths, trees, stockings).
If you could give any one person any gift you wanted to, what would it be and to whom?
New Year’s
New Year celebrations are all about the past and the future. A little glitz and glitter added to your decorations will brighten up this party of new beginnings. Asking guests to dress in black and white will begin the party with a visual reminder of contrasts that represent the past and present. Carry the black-and-white color scheme through the decorations, food, and conversation. Offer a variety of foods from the past served next to a similar new dish. For instance, shrimp cocktail next to a sushi dish, or finger sandwiches next to sandwich wraps. Every new beginning brings new hope, new energy, and new plans. With the following conversation and activity suggestions, your guests will leave the party and old year behind with great expectation of a beautiful future.
New Year’s Table Talk
Ask each of your guests to bring an old photo of himself or herself. Then display the photos so guests can guess who is in each picture. Give a prize for the one who guesses the most correctly.
Ask guests to explain who is Auld Lang Syne, and why do we sing about him?
What is the silliest resolution you have made?
What is one resolution you did keep?
Where were you at the beginning of the new millennium, 2000, and what event was predicted for you that did not happen?
What is it about last year that you are glad to kiss it good-bye?
What is it about the future year that you are ready to hug it hello?
In thinking of old and new, what is something you have seen make a big change?
What new beginning in your life has been very positive?
In planning a new beginning it is wise to consider the past. What wisdom have you gained in the last year that you want to remember in making plans for the New Year?
Play an old board game or Charades and then play a new game, i.e., Catchphrase or Scattergories.
Excerpt from “Come to the Table” in Simple Entertaining from the Heart © 2007
Brenda Laurence is Associate Pastor of Women's Ministry at a mega church in the Dallas Metroplex. She has authored magazine articles, small group curriculum, and a home entertainment cnoversation guide “Come to the Table” that encourages meaningful conversation for home events. As a Christian conference speaker and teacher, Brenda exhorts women to live out their potential.