Pre-Meal, The Newsletter by Will Guidara

Happy Tuesday,

And happy Thanksgiving week!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. As far as I’m concerned, there's nothing better than getting your favorite people together to engage in the venerable tradition of overeating, watching football, and passing out on the couch.

So this week, instead of a normal newsletter, I thought I’d share three ideas for making one of the most magical days of the year just a bit more magical.

1. My family has always gone around the Thanksgiving table and shared something we’re thankful for—a beautiful exercise that restores perspective like nothing else. Recently, we added another question: What are you looking forward to? This is in honor of my dad, who believes that always having something to look forward to is the secret to happiness. This year, we’re going to borrow a new tradition from Priya Parker:: instead of going around the table in order, people can jump in whenever they feel inspired—but, to give a little urgency to the reticent, the last one to speak has to sing their answer.
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2. If your family inevitably ends up talking about the stuffing (or worse, politics), try this appreciation bowl: The host writes everyone’s name on pieces of paper; choose a name from the bowl (not your own!) Then, on a new blank slip, write down something amazing about the person whose name you chose. (No names.) Fold the slip, put it back into the bowl; after dinner, pass it around. Pick one and read the praise out loud, so the whole table can chime in to guess who the praise is about. Watch your grumpiest uncle try not to choke up!
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3. Last one: if you have time to reach out to your group later today or first thing tomorrow, ask your guests to bring an item for Show and Tell. Like too many childhood traditions, this one has been lost to adulthood, but on our last Unreasonable Hospitality team retreat, the brilliant Natasha McIrvin suggested we bring it back. It was so hilarious, so eye-opening, and so connective—I can’t wait to do it with my family at Thanksgiving.

Before I sign off, I want to say how grateful I am for you. The last three years have been a wild ride. Thanks for taking it with me, and for creating an incredible community of people who believe, as I do, that hospitality is how we make the world a better place.

Have a good service,

Will

P.S. Are next-day leftover sandwiches the best part of the meal? (Yes.) If you need inspiration, click here for a truly deluxe version by Matty Matheson, my buddy from The Bear.