Hilariously awkward Thanksgiving family photographs

Sometimes, even the most special occasions in life – the ones we spend months planning and the whole year looking forward to – go a bit wrong. 

But you’d think that Thanksgiving, given that it requires essentially two things – good food and loved-ones – would be difficult to mess up.

That, however, would be to forget the natural awkwardness that infects every family gathering and almost guarantees at least a few weird moments. 

Collected here are some of the finest of those weird moments to have ever been captured on camera. 

Included among them are a woman dressed up as a turkey while posing with her Labradors, a family dressed up in cardboard cut-out Pilgrim hats and a bizarre outdoor photograph featuring a very distracted group of thanks givers. 

The natural awkwardness that infects every family gathering and almost guarantees at least a few weird moments is present on Thanksgiving just as it is at birthdays and other holidays. Pictured: A woman dressed as a turkey while sat next to her two Labradors, who are both wearing festive hats 

Collected here are some of the finest of the weird Thanksgiving moments to have ever been captured on camera. Above is a family who have clearly been transported from 17th century Massachusetts

Collected here are some of the finest of the weird Thanksgiving moments to have ever been captured on camera. Above is a family who have clearly been transported from 17th century Massachusetts

Is there anything more beautiful than enjoying Thanksgiving as it was first enjoyed, among the vibrant colors of autumn? This family clearly thought so - and even went to the length of getting their photograph taken among the brown, yellow and red leaves. But the virus of awkwardness found a way to infect the tender moment - and saw to it that each member is looking in his or her own special way 

Is there anything more beautiful than enjoying Thanksgiving as it was first enjoyed, among the vibrant colors of autumn? This family clearly thought so – and even went to the length of getting their photograph taken among the brown, yellow and red leaves. But the virus of awkwardness found a way to infect the tender moment – and saw to it that each member is looking in his or her own special way 

Sometimes, even the most special occasions in life - the ones we spend months planning and the whole year looking forward to - go a bit wrong. But you'd think that Thanksgiving, given that it requires essentially two things - good food and loved-ones - would be difficult to mess up. Pictured: A truly bizarre photograph featuring a family with their faces painted - and a decidedly unimpressed dog in the foreground 

Sometimes, even the most special occasions in life – the ones we spend months planning and the whole year looking forward to – go a bit wrong. But you’d think that Thanksgiving, given that it requires essentially two things – good food and loved-ones – would be difficult to mess up. Pictured: A truly bizarre photograph featuring a family with their faces painted – and a decidedly unimpressed dog in the foreground 

It's a happy time of year, but this photograph does not capture a happy moment. A mother on the verge of giving up, a child who's already had enough, and a superlatively awkward dad make this a very awkward Thanksgiving 

It’s a happy time of year, but this photograph does not capture a happy moment. A mother on the verge of giving up, a child who’s already had enough, and a superlatively awkward dad make this a very awkward Thanksgiving 

This cute little baby ended up on a plate in a turkey outfit, which doubtlessly created an awkward Thanksgiving moment for one family 

This cute little baby ended up on a plate in a turkey outfit, which doubtlessly created an awkward Thanksgiving moment for one family 

Thanksgiving - the perfect time to pretend you're about to cut your significant other's throat as well as the turkey

An example of the tenderness that everyone expects from Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving – the perfect time to pretend you’re about to cut your significant other’s throat as well as the turkey (left). Right: An example of the tenderness that everyone expects from Thanksgiving 

Back in the days of film, you couldn't just take a thousand pictures and delete 999 until you had the perfect moment saved forever. It was something of a lucky dip, as the hilarious photograph above shows 

Back in the days of film, you couldn’t just take a thousand pictures and delete 999 until you had the perfect moment saved forever. It was something of a lucky dip, as the hilarious photograph above shows 

The turkeys are so good at Thanksgiving that you can't really blame this youngster for guarding one with such impressive doggedness

The turkeys are so good at Thanksgiving that you can’t really blame this youngster for guarding one with such impressive doggedness

Meat fatigue: When all has been eaten, and plenty of wine has been drunk, and every conversation has been had, it's usually time to collapse on the sofa and gently snooze away, as this family shows

Meat fatigue: When all has been eaten, and plenty of wine has been drunk, and every conversation has been had, it’s usually time to collapse on the sofa and gently snooze away, as this family shows

Excellent drumming: This hearty carnivore knows how to enjoy Thanksgiving, and his enthusiasm is so great that he's even trying to spread the joy 

Excellent drumming: This hearty carnivore knows how to enjoy Thanksgiving, and his enthusiasm is so great that he’s even trying to spread the joy 

The Sopranos? Las Meninas? Assuredly not. Thanksgiving is a serious time, and a serious family photograph is to be expected. Even the elephant in this snap emanates a certain solemnity

The Sopranos? Las Meninas? Assuredly not. Thanksgiving is a serious time, and a serious family photograph is to be expected. Even the elephant in this snap emanates a certain solemnity

Just kidding, we're not really cannibals: More baby-as-food jokes, an impressive way to spread the Thanksgiving awkwardness

Just kidding, we’re not really cannibals: More baby-as-food jokes, an impressive way to spread the Thanksgiving awkwardness

Hats off to them: This jolly family clearly enhanced their Thanksgiving fun by donning some ridiculous headgear

Hats off to them: This jolly family clearly enhanced their Thanksgiving fun by donning some ridiculous headgear

Not dead, just bored: While Thanksgiving is a treat for humans, it's perhaps not the most fun for animals (including the above dog). It's certainly no fun for turkeys 

Not dead, just bored: While Thanksgiving is a treat for humans, it’s perhaps not the most fun for animals (including the above dog). It’s certainly no fun for turkeys 

Duck down and get in the frame: The fellow on the right is evidently such a fan of Thanksgiving that he decided to make himself look absurd for the sake of this family photo

Duck down and get in the frame: The fellow on the right is evidently such a fan of Thanksgiving that he decided to make himself look absurd for the sake of this family photo

Really takes you back: These astoundingly authentic-looking outfits recall the first ever Thanksgiving dinners with American Indians back in the 17th century 

Really takes you back: These astoundingly authentic-looking outfits recall the first ever Thanksgiving dinners with American Indians back in the 17th century 

Are those red tennis balls in the fruit bowl? And is the woman on the left wearing matching earrings? Perhaps we will never know - but one thing that is certainly true is that this image is the epitome of awkward

Are those red tennis balls in the fruit bowl? And is the woman on the left wearing matching earrings? Perhaps we will never know – but one thing that is certainly true is that this image is the epitome of awkward

As Thanksgiving outfits go, this one is undoubtedly worth forgetting. The dog's decision to go on a sniffing mission completes the awkwardness 

As Thanksgiving outfits go, this one is undoubtedly worth forgetting. The dog’s decision to go on a sniffing mission completes the awkwardness 

Just like the Pilgrims: These youngsters look like genuine 17th century settlers, don't they? Especially the boy with the hat in the center 

Just like the Pilgrims: These youngsters look like genuine 17th century settlers, don’t they? Especially the boy with the hat in the center 

The young boy on the left has chosen an odd object to hold for this photograph, and its positioning is unambiguously awkward

More cardboard hats and bonnets

A-maize-ing: The young boy on the left has chosen an odd object to hold for this photograph, and its positioning is unambiguously awkward. Right: More cardboard hats and bonnets

A tough way to find out your kid smokes: This booze, make-up and cigarette-replete Thanksgiving is perhaps not the finest family example, but it makes a memorable photograph 

A tough way to find out your kid smokes: This booze, make-up and cigarette-replete Thanksgiving is perhaps not the finest family example, but it makes a memorable photograph 

Taking the turkey's temperature, wearing a crop top, wearing a hoodie without a shirt underneath - there really is a superfluity of awkwardness in this image 

Taking the turkey’s temperature, wearing a crop top, wearing a hoodie without a shirt underneath – there really is a superfluity of awkwardness in this image 

At least three people in this picture are having a delightful Thanksgiving meal - but there's someone at the table who is not looking particularly pleased

At least three people in this picture are having a delightful Thanksgiving meal – but there’s someone at the table who is not looking particularly pleased

Tradition dictates that the patriarch of the family carves the turkey. But tradition does not dictate that you look this awkward while doing so 

Tradition dictates that the patriarch of the family carves the turkey. But tradition does not dictate that you look this awkward while doing so 

Attempts at donning festive attire are not all equally worthy. The peculiar American Indian dress adopted by the boy on the right, for example, is certainly not one of the best. Perhaps that explains why the fellow in black is so energized

Attempts at donning festive attire are not all equally worthy. The peculiar American Indian dress adopted by the boy on the right, for example, is certainly not one of the best. Perhaps that explains why the fellow in black is so energized

The bonnet-donners here are not all enjoying the Thanksgiving spirit

A family straight out of the 17th century

The bonnet-donners on the left are not all enjoying the Thanksgiving spirit. Right: A family straight out of the 17th century

Disappointment is the main offering at this Thanksgiving meal. Even the gentleman on the left - with his novelty T-shirt - has been unable to lift the sense of gloom

Disappointment is the main offering at this Thanksgiving meal. Even the gentleman on the left – with his novelty T-shirt – has been unable to lift the sense of gloom

There's never a bad time to munch on some turkey during Thanksgiving. It can be especially useful to stick some meat in your face when a photograph is being taken 

There’s never a bad time to munch on some turkey during Thanksgiving. It can be especially useful to stick some meat in your face when a photograph is being taken 

The Indians do not seem very pleased with the Thanksgiving fun

More jolly colonists

More keen colonists and dignified Indians are on view in these pictures. On the left, however, the Indians do not seem very pleased with the Thanksgiving fun

There's nothing worse than having your picture taken just after you've put something in your mouth. Apparently sympathizing with the boy, the woman in the foreground is frowning furiously 

There’s nothing worse than having your picture taken just after you’ve put something in your mouth. Apparently sympathizing with the boy, the woman in the foreground is frowning furiously 

There are lots of things to give thanks for on this special holiday - family, health, home, peace, food. But the chap in the middle quite clearly has only one thing to be thankful for: His glorious hair

There are lots of things to give thanks for on this special holiday – family, health, home, peace, food. But the chap in the middle quite clearly has only one thing to be thankful for: His glorious hair

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