Thanksgiving can be an awkward family event any year, but this year's US presidential election has left many dreading potentially awkward or frustrating conversations with family members about the new president-elect. The debate of how to handle talking about politics on Thanksgiving even sparked a Twitter hashtag: #HowToAvoidPoliticsAtDinner.

A new CNN/ORC poll found that 54% of Americans claim they dread the thought of talking politics over Thanksgiving dinner. The survey revealed that 58% of Republicans are eager to discuss the topic on Thursday (24 November), while 63% of Democrats do not want to talk politics.

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President-elect Donald Trump choose to address the tensions surrounding the election results in his first Thanksgiving address. "We have just finished a long and bruising political campaign. Emotions are raw and tensions just don't heal overnight," Trump said in a video message.

"This historic political campaign is now over. Now begins a great national campaign to rebuild our country and to restore the full promise of America for all of our people."

Trump continued: "I am asking you to join me in this effort. It is time to restore the bonds of trust between citizens. Because when America is unified, there is nothing beyond our reach, and I mean absolutely nothing. Let us give thanks for all that we have, and let us boldly face the exciting new frontiers that lie ahead."

For those desperately hoping to avoid an awkward family dinner, Twitter users have join forces to share advice on how to move the conversation to something slightly less polarising.