As we all know , Thanksgiving is n't always the harmonious holiday it 's sometimes made out to be . Stick a bunch of relatives together in the same house , add menu planning and alcohol , and things can get a little snippy . Many people have strong opinions about how to cook the turkey , what side dishes to serve and who has to clean up . Family traditions die hard and new ideas are n't always welcome . `` I know you do n't like creamed pearled onions , but we 've had creamed pearled onions at our Thanksgiving table since I was a little girl and we 're not about to stop now . I had to suffer , so we 're all going to suffer . '' And do n't get us started on the potatoes . Your Thanksgiving do-ahead list . Then there are broader questions of Thanksgiving Day etiquette . Some families break out the fine china and dress up for dinner , while others eat on paper plates in front of the TV . Some of us watch football , while others hold annual viewings of `` Planes , Trains and Automobiles . '' ( Those are n't pillows ! Still funny every time . ) And , as stores open earlier and earlier to chase those Black Friday dollars , there 's even a formerly unheard-of question for families to grapple with : Is it OK to go holiday shopping on Thanksgiving ? Nobody wants to squabble on a holiday , but some family feuds are inevitable . See our gallery above for the things you 're most likely to bicker about on Thursday . And no , you should n't ever go holiday shopping on Thanksgiving . Do n't fear the vegan at your Thanksgiving table .
Many people have strong opinions about how things should be done on Thanksgiving . Some of these are good, some bad and others just plain wrong.