Thanksgiving can be a divisive time, depending on your home life. Some people relish in the opportunity to catch up with their close family members and distant relatives alike, basking in their mutual gratitude. On the other hand, it can be a time of tension and peak stress for those who don’t get along with their families. Between having to field questions about your love life (or lack thereof), coursework, and career plans, listening to your Uncle John’s semi blatantly racist, sexist, and homophobic jokes all night, and getting caught in the middle of political blowups even though your mom banned talk of politics can all weigh you down, it’s safe to say that sometimes the Thanksgiving table is not the most comforting of places.
But what if you could choose to sit next to anyone you wanted to this holiday season? What if you could handcraft the safest table in the world, replacing Uncle John with, say, Harry Styles or other fantasy Thanksgiving table guests? That’s exactly what I did, and I encourage you to do the same. It won’t solve all of your problems or eliminate the chance of you being forced to sit at the kids’ end of the table with your 10-year-old cousin, but imagining Taylor Swift at the head of the table can serve as the ultimate distraction if Thanksgiving is a highly stressful day for you. As a little inspiration, here are the celebs I’d bring to my fantasy Thanksgiving table.
1. Taylor Swift
This is the most obvious choice. As a Swiftie, I’d be doing myself a disservice if she wasn’t invited to the table. Taylor’s like the cool wine aunt I always wanted, and I just know she has the best cat videos and TikToks saved to her phone to share when conversation dies down. I’d even consider giving her a plus one to bring Joe along.
2. Emma Chamberlain
I can see Emma getting along with anyone at the table. Not only would she be a fantastic conversationalist, but I know she’d also have the best outfit at the table, hands down.
3. Harry Styles
I might be stirring the pot by having Harry and Taylor together, but I am a child of divorce. Imagine the music conversations that you could be privy to throughout the evening! Besides, we all know they still support one another (but if we aren’t promised a duet by the end of dinner, this will all have been for naught).
4. Blake Lively
One of Taylor Swift’s besties and one half of my favorite celebrity power couple? Needless to say, she’s in – though I don’t know how I would be able to look at Blake and not picture that Gossip Girl scene from season 3, with “Whatcha Say” playing in the background.
5. Ryan Reynolds
In my opinion, you can’t have one without the other. I know Ryan will bring an air of lightheartedness to the table that we’re all here for. With his well-timed jokes and infectious smile, he would fit right in. Plus, the playful banter between him and Blake is something I would pay good money to witness in person.
6. North West
A true style icon, North might actually give Emma a run for her money for the evening’s best dressed. She’d jump in where it matters, unafraid to call out everyone on their BS and make sure we get to dessert on time – I’m a little afraid of what she might have to say about my house, though.
7. Michelle Obama
I think it’s safe to say I’d seat myself next to her. Not only do I feel like Mrs. Obama would bring a bomb dish, but the positive energy she would bring to the table is sure to be immaculate. I think she would get an absolute kick out of sitting next to North, too.
8. Zac Efron
There’s no world where I wouldn’t invite my childhood-turned-adult crush to dinner. Zac would undoubtedly share all about his recent world travels, leaving me daydreaming about all the places I want to jet off to, and I bet it would provide me with enough serotonin to last until next Thanksgiving.
I don’t know how big your Thanksgiving table is, but I could easily make my list a mile long if I only had the room; we’ll have to switch off throughout the night since there’s no way to strategically seat everyone next to me. I’m confident that our holiday selfie would easily surpass Ellen’s famous Oscar selfie, and it would earn a place of honor on my fridge. Can anyone photoshop this into reality for me real quick?