Funny Thanksgiving Memes: 35 Relatable Laughs For Turkey Day
Laugh your way through Turkey Day with these relatable and hilarious Thanksgiving memes
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Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday filled with delicious food, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. But let’s be honest – it can also bring a healthy dose of stress. From mastering the art of cooking a perfect 20-pound turkey to coordinating the precise timing of numerous side dishes, the holiday can sometimes feel more like a culinary marathon than a celebration.
That’s exactly why we’ve gathered these hilarious Thanksgiving memes – because sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine for holiday stress. When the kitchen gets too hot or family conversations become a bit too spicy, taking a moment to share a funny meme might be just what you need to lighten the mood and remind everyone what the holiday is really about: togetherness (even if that togetherness occasionally drives us crazy).
From fried turkey disasters to the inevitable food coma, these memes capture all the quintessential Thanksgiving moments that make us both cringe and smile. We’ve gathered classic Ryan Gosling “Hey Girl” Thanksgiving editions, Kevin Hart reactions that perfectly capture our feelings about second helpings, and plenty of relatable content about family dynamics around the holiday table.
So before you dive into that mountain of mashed potatoes or brave Black Friday shopping, take a moment to enjoy these 35 hilarious Thanksgiving memes that will have the whole family laughing – and possibly defusing any potential dinner table tensions before they begin!
When the Food Coma Hits
We all know that feeling – the moment when you’ve consumed your body weight in turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pie, and suddenly the only activity you’re capable of is horizontal couch occupation. The post-Thanksgiving dinner food coma is practically a national tradition at this point, and these memes capture that delightful descent into carb-induced bliss.
One particularly relatable meme shows someone literally dreaming of “kayaking down a river of mashed potatoes and gravy” – perhaps the only motivation that could possibly get anyone off the couch after that third helping of everything. Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there, contemplating whether we’ll ever be hungry again while simultaneously eyeing that leftover pumpkin pie.
And then there are those brave souls who claim they’re going to exercise on Thanksgiving. These aspirational declarations usually happen before the feast begins, but as the memes hilariously point out, those plans quickly dissolve somewhere between the appetizers and the turkey carving. The only marathon most of us are participating in on Thanksgiving is the journey from the dining table to the nearest comfortable surface for a nap.
Family Drama: The True Thanksgiving Tradition
Is it really Thanksgiving if there isn’t at least one heated discussion about politics, sports, or why cousin Sarah still hasn’t “settled down”? The family drama memes might be the most relatable of all, capturing those tense moments when Uncle Bob starts sharing his controversial opinions after his third glass of wine.
As one meme perfectly puts it: “If you don’t get into a spat with your uncle over sports, is it even Thanksgiving? Obviously not.” These humorous takes on family dynamics remind us that while our families might occasionally drive us crazy, these quirky interactions are part of what makes the holiday memorable – even if sometimes memorable means slightly uncomfortable.
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There are countless memes featuring characters from popular shows and movies with expressions that perfectly capture that moment when someone brings up a contentious topic at the dinner table. The subtle eye-rolls, the strategic bathroom breaks to avoid conversation, and the heroic family members who change the subject just in time – all these Thanksgiving survival tactics get their due recognition in meme form.
Cooking Disasters: When Thanksgiving Goes Wrong
For every picture-perfect Thanksgiving spread on Instagram, there are dozens of cooking mishaps happening in kitchens across the country. From undercooked turkeys to burnt pies, these culinary catastrophes have inspired some of the funniest Thanksgiving memes.
The deep-fried turkey disaster memes deserve their own category, featuring everything from minor mishaps to full-blown fireballs. These serve as both comic relief and cautionary tales about the importance of properly thawing your turkey before introducing it to hot oil. The expression on firefighters’ faces as they respond to yet another Thanksgiving cooking emergency says it all.
Then there are the memes about timing – that impossible challenge of getting the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and rolls all hot and ready at exactly the same moment. The kitchen chaos that ensues as amateur chefs attempt this culinary choreography provides endless meme material, usually featuring frantic cooking show contestants or scenes from disaster movies repurposed for Thanksgiving humor.
How to Start a Fight at Thanksgiving
Some Thanksgiving faux pas are simply unforgivable, and the memes know it. “If someone cuts your pumpkin pie like this, it’s completely acceptable to disinvite them from all future Thanksgiving dinners,” one meme declares, showing a pie cut in some geometrically offensive manner that would make any dessert purist cringe.
These “how to start a fight” memes playfully catalog the Thanksgiving behaviors most likely to cause family discord – from the relative who insists on bringing an experimental dish no one wants to the person who takes the last roll without asking if anyone else wanted it. There’s also the divisive topic of cranberry sauce – cylindrical and ridged from the can, or homemade? The memes suggest you choose your side wisely, as family alliances have been formed and broken over less.
And let’s not forget the dinner table phone usage debate. Memes abound featuring older family members glaring at younger ones who dare to check their phones between courses, alongside counterpoint memes showing millennials and Gen Z rolling their eyes at boomer relatives who spend the entire meal watching football at maximum volume.
Butterball Humor
Turkey puns and jokes take center stage in many Thanksgiving memes, with references to popular culture making these bird-brained jokes even funnier. “Calling all Miley Cyrus fans: This meme is for you. Even if you don’t listen to her music, you’ll still recognize this now-iconic image,” the Country Living article notes, likely referring to a turkey twerking meme that combines the bird with the singer’s famous dance moves.
The “butterball” category also includes memes about the infamous Butterball Turkey Hotline, which has been saving Thanksgiving dinners since 1981. The imagined conversations between panicked first-time turkey chefs and the patient hotline operators provide rich material for humorous takes. “My turkey has been in the oven for 30 seconds and doesn’t look golden brown yet. Should I increase the temperature to 700 degrees?” asks one fictional caller in a meme that hotline operators probably find a little too realistic.
Turkey preparation timing memes also fit into this category, with jokes about people who start thawing their turkey at 6 am on Thanksgiving morning and wonder why it’s still frozen solid by noon. The general theme: when it comes to turkey preparation, planning ahead isn’t just recommended – it’s essential for avoiding becoming a meme yourself.
No Regrets: Embracing the Thanksgiving Indulgence
While some holiday memes focus on the regret that comes after overindulging, the “No Regrets” category celebrates the joyful abandonment of dietary restrictions on Thanksgiving Day. These memes encourage embracing the feast with enthusiasm and leaving the guilt for January.
“The only thing to regret? Not saving room for more sweet potato casserole,” as the Country Living article puts it. This sentiment appears in numerous memes featuring characters happily piling their plates high with second (and third) helpings, often accompanied by captions about elastic waistbands and the strategic unbuttoning of pants.
The diet-starts-tomorrow memes also fall into this category, with humorous takes on how quickly we abandon our healthy eating intentions when faced with homemade stuffing and pumpkin pie. These memes remind us that Thanksgiving is a time for celebration and enjoyment – the gym will still be there next week.
Pass the Wine: Liquid Survival Tactics
Sometimes, the best way to handle family tensions and cooking stress is with a generous pour of pinot noir or chardonnay. The “Pass the Wine” memes acknowledge this time-honored tradition with humor and honesty.
“Sometimes, the only way to survive Thanksgiving is wine. Lots and lots of wine,” notes the Country Living article, capturing the sentiment behind memes featuring everything from giant wine glasses to people hiding bottles in their purses. These humorous takes on alcohol as a social lubricant for family gatherings aren’t promoting excessive drinking, but rather acknowledging the reality that a little liquid courage can help navigate complicated family dynamics.
Wine memes often feature characters from popular shows like “The Real Housewives” or “Game of Thrones,” whose dramatic drinking scenes have become perfect templates for expressing Thanksgiving survival strategies. These memes create a sense of solidarity among holiday hosts and attendees who recognize that sometimes, taking a sip is better than saying what you’re really thinking about Aunt Martha’s political opinions.
Instagram vs. Reality: Thanksgiving Edition
Social media has created a whole new category of Thanksgiving humor: the contrast between the picture-perfect holiday images people post online and the chaotic reality behind them. These “Instagram vs. Reality” memes juxtapose magazine-worthy table settings with the disaster zones many kitchens actually become during Thanksgiving preparation.
The memes might show a beautifully styled table with artisanal place cards and fresh flower centerpieces labeled “What I Post,” alongside a photo of a smoke-filled kitchen, a crying chef, and a slightly burnt turkey labeled “What Actually Happened.” These humorous comparisons remind us that behind many of those perfect holiday posts is a fair amount of stress, mishaps, and real-life messiness.
This category also includes memes about the obligatory Thanksgiving social media posts – the “thankful for” captions, the perfectly arranged food photos, and the coordinated family outfits that look suspiciously like everyone was forced to match against their will. The memes gently poke fun at these Instagram clichés while acknowledging that most of us participate in them anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Humor
Why do Thanksgiving memes resonate with so many people?
Thanksgiving memes capture universal experiences of family dynamics, food traditions, and holiday stress that nearly everyone can relate to. They provide a humorous outlet for expressing the sometimes complicated emotions surrounding family gatherings and help us feel less alone in our holiday experiences.
What are some appropriate ways to share Thanksgiving memes with family?
Consider creating a family group chat or social media thread specifically for sharing holiday humor. Choose memes that gently tease rather than target specific family members, and use humor as a way to bond rather than divide. Sometimes sharing a funny meme can actually defuse tension before it builds.
Can Thanksgiving memes help reduce holiday stress?
Absolutely! Humor is a proven stress reliever, and taking a moment to laugh at the common challenges of the holiday can provide perspective. Sharing a laugh over a relatable meme about turkey cooking disasters might make your own cooking mishap seem less catastrophic.
What are some classic Thanksgiving meme themes?
Perennial favorites include food coma memes, family drama humor, cooking disaster jokes, Black Friday shopping commentary, and the contrast between how we think Thanksgiving will go versus how it actually unfolds. Each year also brings new memes based on current events and pop culture.
Whether you’re the host frantically trying to time seven different dishes to be ready simultaneously, the guest navigating complicated family dynamics, or simply someone who appreciates the humor in holiday traditions, these Thanksgiving memes offer something for everyone. So as you prepare for Turkey Day this year, remember that laughter might be the most important ingredient for a successful holiday gathering. And if all else fails, there’s always wine. Lots and lots of wine.
References
- https://www.countryliving.com/life/g24676954/thanksgiving-memes/
- https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/a45778/eating-thanksgiving-dinner-restaurant/
- https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-country-living-memes/
- https://www.southernliving.com/holidays-occasions/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-quotes
- https://cheezburger.com/37659141/20-hilarious-thanksgiving-memes-to-scroll-through-while-your-in-laws-fight-over-mashed-potatoes
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