How to gather when we don’t agree: navigating awkward moments at the holiday dinner table

Thanksgiving weekend is the unofficial kickoff to a season of gatherings. You may be planning get-togethers for Diwali, Hanukkah, or the winter solstice in the coming weeks. And while there’s lots of merriment when you share space and food with friends and family, there’s also friction. Our guest experts offer tips on how to gather well despite our political, generational, and cultural differences.

Kate Mulligan is principal at the department of neighbouring and associate professor at the University of Toronto. Lambers Fisher is a licensed marriage and family therapist. And Yasmeen Rafiq is a registered social worker and therapist.