Can it be seven years already? Back in November 2017, I offered a plethora of ideas for a particular conundrum. Thanksgiving week and the following week all have numerous “days” that reflect the giving season (High School Reunion At The Bar Wednesday, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, etc.). But what about today? Why doesn’t Thanksgiving Eve Eve have its own day?

Well, I simply didn’t just complain about it. Instead, I offered five creative and (mostly) plausible ideas for how we could observe “the day before the day before.” I am not going to explain each one in excruciating detail like I did seven years ago (just go here) but I did pitch the following: The Day of Apology, Pre-Thanksgiving Movie Day, Dress As A Pilgrim Day, Americana History Day, and Grande Taco Tuesday.

However, as I have grown older and wiser, an additional option for a new day has come to mind. I like to call it Debate Before Feast Day.

I propose that on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we debate.

Over the past several years, I hear more and more about how people dread saddling up to the Thanksgiving table for fear that politics will be brought up. With division seemingly at an all-time high in this country, any political discussion is bound to bring up passionate arguments and perceived insults. Nothing like a seething back-and-forth to ruin a holiday meal, right?

In order to prevent hurt feelings and a possible food fight, I propose Debate Before Feast Day. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, individuals attending a particular Turkey Day celebration have the option to expel any political thoughts or election analysis with other passionate guests. Participants can jump on a video call and debate until they are blue or red (depending on the color of your political party) in the face.

It would take a little bit of coordination and perhaps a brave soul to moderate the clash, but it shouldn’t be too much work. The idea is that folks can get everything political out of their system so instead of being filled with partisan angst they have more room to fill with turkey and stuffing. People who cringe at the mere mention of “Trump” or “Harris” won’t have to worry about losing their appetite. Well-mannered individuals who couldn’t care less about politics won’t have to worry about refereeing any fist fights. It is simply a win-win-win.

Best of all, after Debate Before Feast Day, perhaps the people with opposing viewpoints had enough time to explain their positions to each other that they come to the Thanksgiving table with a renewed sense of mutual respect.

We might need Debate Before Feast Day more than ever this year. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I am going to get the “official day” declaration within the next couple hours. Oh well, maybe next year! Until then, go ahead and celebrate Dress As A Pilgrim Day. Don’t Blink.