Social know how is important during this festive season. What topics we bring up during our celebratory meals and family meet ups can assure a good time for all or ruin all chances of one. Here is a list of topics to introduce to family and friends from a little book I came across at my local library entitled – “The Little Know-How Book,” by Bob Scher.
Any of these subjects will creatively lead to a social breakthrough during moments of unwanted silence. Not every item mentioned here will be appropriate for the company you intend to keep, but if selected for discussion, and more carefully researched, these topics should prove to be quite entertaining.
Conversational Categories
Historical Topics –
- London is established as a city – 43 A.D.
- The first reports of domesticated dogs appear in Egypt – 3000 -2501 BC
- The first rose trees are planted in Europe – 802
- Gondolas emerge in Venice – 1094
- Engagement rings become popular – 1200
- Coffee begins to take hold as a beverage of choice in Europe 1517
- Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral invents bottled beer 1568
- Tennis is made an outdoor sport by the British 1351
- Shoe are designed with heels 1595
- The industry of advertising starts to develop 1630
- Ice Cream sodas are invented in Philadelphia 1874
- The very first chocolate factory opens in Germany 1756
- Eyewear is invented 1290
- Parisians get their first postal deliveries directly to their mailboxes 1653
- Los Angeles, California officially becomes an actual city 1852
Other Easy Breezy Discussion Topics –
- Packing a suitcase
- Care of Houseplants
- Sharpening Knives
- How to best barbecue on the grill
- How to recognize the star constellations
- How to make friends with a dog / cat
- How to park a car
- How to best recall stories or jokes
- The best way to serve wine
- Pocket billiards
- How to best observe works of art
- How to protect your back and avoid back pain
- Recognizing the eight most common backyard birds
An Example of Synergistic Topics that Everyone Can Chime in on –
Best Way to Build and Tend a Roaring Fire –
- Make sure damper is open
- Make sure you have right tools available – dustpan, shovel, broom, tongs and poker
- Best choice of wood is dry hardwood such as: oak, hard maple, hickory, or birch are excellent
- Kindling – softwood is the choice, which is usually an evergreen such as pine, cedar, or fir
- Remove any ashes that mount up to more than a couple of inches
- Roll and twist pieces of newspaper tightly and crisscross so kindling won’t fall through. Two of the logs should be on the bottom and one on top – leave enough room between logs so air can circulate
- Turn bottom logs so that the undersides are facing you. When the top log drops down you can put another log on top to replace it
Coming up with conversation starters and other creative ideas related to social planning for special holiday events when family and friends are scheduled to be together is what today’s blog has been about. I hope this information inspires you to make the most out of your holiday celebrations and that you have many memorable moments this season.
More on the Topic -
Additional Dinner Party Ideas
http://www.mercurynews.com/style/ci_11220084?nclick_check=1
Tips on Holiday Table Manners
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2010/12/13/55-elizabeth-anne-winters/
How to Have A Divine Dinner party Dinner Table Games
http://www.divinedinnerparty.com/funny-party-games.html
