Don't want to discuss politics with your family this Thanksgiving? NYC tech has you covered

Written by Anthony Sodd
Published on Nov. 18, 2016
Don't want to discuss politics with your family this Thanksgiving? NYC tech has you covered

We just ended a particularly bitter political season and, chances are, you’re sick and tired of hearing about it. Unfortunately for you, Thanksgiving is coming up and you know perfectly well what this year’s turkey day topic of discussion will be. No matter who you were hoping would win, someone in your family is bound to vocally disagree. So, what do the wise do when disaster strikes? Use tech to their advantage.

Here are five NYC tech companies that will help you survive Thanksgiving weekend.

 

Losing yourself in sports is already a Thanksgiving weekend tradition for many Americans. But, if you put some money on the line, you’ve got an even stronger excuse to ignore those around you and shout at a screen instead of your half-drunk aunt. In case you were wondering, yes, New York residents are once again permitted to play FanDuel.

 

Want to get away, but keep up appearances? Get everyone in your family last-minute, surprise tickets to a Broadway show. It’ll get everyone’s attention off of the election and into the world of theater. Because it’s last minute, TodayTix will probably net you a good deal of savings. The best part? Many shows are upwards of three hours long and require complete silence from the audience.

 

Admittedly, adding alcohol to an already volatile situation might not be the best idea. That said, if you want to get lost in the sweet, forgiving embrace of the bottle, Minibar’s got you covered. Most liquor stores will be closed the day of Thanksgiving, but this could be a bourbon-flavored lifesaver if you plan ahead.

 

If all else fails, you can always flee. Via is offering some pretty good deals to get you to and from the airports. A roundtrip flight to Jamaica for the weekend is running a little over $500, so you might as well save some money where you can. Here are Via’s airport rates.

  • Rides to and from LaGuardia Airport are just $24.95 + tax and applicable tolls.

  • Rides to and from John F. Kennedy airport are just $39.95 + tax and applicable tolls.

  • Rides to Newark International airport are just $49.95 + applicable tolls.

  • Rides from Newark International airport are just $29.95 + applicable tolls.

 

Dots is a super-simple game that came out of Betaworks in 2013. It’s not the most sophisticated thing in the world, but that’s the point. If you want to zone out, stare at your phone and ignore the political debate swirling around you, this is your outlet. Get lost connecting the dots until your eyes bleed. 

 

Have a good Thanksgiving. If all else fails, send us a note or tweet us @builtinnewyork.

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