Topics to avoid at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

It's Thanksgiving. It's time to make peace, or at least pretend to get along with family members you're not on good terms with. Here are some topics to avoid:

• Politics – Nothing will start an argument at the table faster than a discussion about politics. If someone insists on bringing it up, do your best to steer the conversation in another direction. Whatever you do, don’t engage.
• Religion – Never good table talk. Hold the preaching and pass the pumpkin pie.
• Family scandals – The Thanksgiving table is not the place to gossip about why cousin Amy is leaving her husband.
• How much someone is eating – Uncle Earl may be on his fifth helping of mashed potatoes, but you don’t need to bring it up or talk about how big he is getting.
• How bad the food is – The green bean casserole may taste like dirt, but Aunt Edna’s feelings will still be hurt.
• Dietary preferences – If your sister doesn’t eat gluten, don’t give her a hard time or pester her to eat just one roll.
• Better Thanksgivings in the past – Try and enjoy the moment and live in the present. (MSN)