Attention Hosts! Inclusive Alternatives to Holiday Discussion Topics
Not everyone feels festive during the holidays, and it's important to be mindful of those who are struggling. This document serves to offer inclusive alternatives to holiday-themed prompts in the rooms (icebreakers, checkins, open chats, and discussions).
Examples of holiday-themed prompts commonly used: "Do you have any exciting plans?" "What are you wanting to get?" "What are some of the best gifts that you have ever gotten?
Here is an ongoing list of things you can use! For impromptu sessions, my suggestion is to “read the room” or ask if the group would like a more inclusive topic.
Please suggest ideas of things you'd appreciate talking about (and anything that has worked for hosts) to be added to this document and happy hosting!
These can be for members, listeners, or both. If you have any questions please contact a group support leader.
@Heather225
Thank you for making this post, H 💜 I'm really glad to see more recognition for how exclusive or upsetting constant holiday discussions can be for others.
I truly feel that discussions about anything but common holiday topics (think any topics you would use when it's not the holidays) would be just fine. It also gives space for a bit of 'same' around this time of year when nothing feels the same as usual because of the holidays. Another alternative I think would be okay, and a way to incorporate the holiday season and validate its existence through discussions, would be to gear them more towards how people deal with difficult emotions during this time of year. Asking what coping skills they like to use, how they navigate hard feelings during the holiday season, etc.
Some topic ideas that come to mind for me are things like asking about daily or weekly goals. What goals they have completed and what steps they need to take to complete the goals that they have not reached yet. Also asking people about their hobbies or things they enjoy doing. A topic that seems to have decent participation generally is music/poetry/quotes. So maybe something along the lines of asking everyone to share the name of one song, quote or poem that describes how they have been feeling that day and why it feels relatable. That also offers up the opportunity to get to know more about a person and build closer connections with others- which can be extremely needed to feel a little less alone around the holidays.
@Heather225
Thank you very much Heather225!
@Heather225
Thanks for posting Heather, it's great to remember that this time of year can be really challenging for many people for many different reasons and our rooms should be inclusive and thoughtful that this is often a place of escape from the festivities.
@Heather225 thank you for this doc, H!
@KateDoskocilova
of course! I hope it's helpful!