Five Ways To Prevent Thanksgiving Guests From Lingering Too Long

​We all know the feeling: Turkey dinner is completed, the stories have been told, everyone has seemingly enjoyed themselves to a reasonable extent, and most of the guests have had the good sense to say thanks and goodnight - the key word here being "most". Invariably one or two will dawdle around as though waiting for a pair of pajamas and a warm bed. Attempting to subtly indicate that it is time for everyone to leave can lead to awkward moments, and can even make the host seem ungracious. Here are five easy ways to encourage lingerers to head home and make it seem like it's their idea to go:

1.Turn off the television set during half-time of the big game, and give a little speech about how the holiday shouldn't be about sports, but about family members and friends connecting on a personal level. It won't take long for your guests to figure that if they leave right away, they'll be able to catch the second half at home.

2.As dessert is being served, announce that you've rediscovered the perennially underrated Ringo Starr, and proceed to play his CDs -- or at least one, as your guests will be gone long before that one is completed. Of course you'll have to actually purchase a Ringo CD, but these can generally be found in the bargain bin for under $5.