TelemarketersSave Thanksgiving

A public service, sort of

Saved by the (fake) bell.

When the dinner-table debate starts to simmer, set a timer. A few minutes later your phone rings with an urgent call from the Extended Car Warranty Dept. Hold it up, excuse yourself, and come back when the pie arrives.

No real calls. No phone number needed. Nothing for sale. It's a joke, and the ringtone is made right here in your browser.

Set up your rescue call

  1. Turn your phone's volume up and open this page before dinner.
  2. When things start to boil, pick a delay and press Save me.
  3. When it rings, show the screen to the table, sigh dramatically and step outside.

Change the subject

66 light, family-safe conversation starters. Deal one out loud the moment someone says "Well, actually…"

Food

What's the one dish on this table you'd save if the house caught fire?
Card 1 of 66

  1. How to steer a family dinner away from an argument

    3 min    Notice the warning signs early and give the table somewhere better to go.

  2. Phrases that cool a heated conversation

    3 min    Words to keep in your pocket for when the gravy isn't the only thing getting hot.

  3. Games to play after the Thanksgiving meal

    3 min    Low-effort, all-ages games for the stretch between pie and leftovers.

  4. Thanksgiving hosting tips to keep the peace

    3 min    Seating, timing and a few house rules that keep the day calm before anything starts.

  5. What to do if an argument breaks out anyway

    3 min    It happened. Here's how to calm things down, step away and patch things up later.

See all guides

Questions from the kids' table

Does this site actually call my phone?
No. Nothing is dialed and no phone number is ever asked for. The ringtone is generated by your browser and the incoming-call screen is a web page. It only works while this tab is open.
Why does it say Extended Car Warranty Dept.?
Because nobody at the table will ask you to put that call on speaker. It is a joke caller name; there is no department, no warranty and nothing for sale.
Will the ring work if my phone screen locks?
Usually not. Phones pause web pages when the screen locks, so keep the screen on and this tab in front. The page asks your browser to keep the screen awake while the timer runs, where supported.
Is this site political?
No. The whole point is to get away from arguments, whatever they are about. The site takes no sides and the conversation cards stick to food, travel, pets, movies and memories.