WASHINGTON (WMAL) — It’s just a matter of hours before families will be reunited—and with all the hugs, may come some resentments and grudges. WMAL asked folks in Friendship Heights for their secrets about dealing with family over Thanksgiving.

“Alcohol,” one man said. “Don’t talk about anything controversial: If somebody doesn’t like somebody’s significant other, then don’t bring it up,” another said.

One woman says she plans to spend extra time plugged into Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

“You’re like mentally getting away a little, you talk to people, you probably don’t know who follow you versus talking to your aunts or somebody you really don’t like,” she told WMAL.

Although family can be difficult to be around, folks say it’s an extra meaningful time to be with family with so much turmoil around the world.

“Just enjoy one another’s differences and just be appreciate that we are where we are and that other people are less fortunate than we are,” a woman said.

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