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This Is Why So Many Couples Break Up Around Thanksgiving, According to a Relationship Expert

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05.11.2026

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This Is Why So Many Couples Break Up Around Thanksgiving, According to a Relationship Expert

A matchmaker explains the Thanksgiving breakup trend known as the turkey drop, why it happens, and signs your partner may be pulling away.

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Imagine coming home for the holidays, excited to spend quality time with your loving partner, only to be dumped just before Thanksgiving? This is such a common occurrence for many daters, especially college-aged students, that there’s an actual name for it: the turkey drop.

What Is the ‘Turkey Drop’ Dating Trend?

The “Turkey drop” is basically just a festive term for a breakup that occurs during Thanksgiving time. Like most dating trends, we can thank Gen Z (okay, and perhaps Millennials, too) for this one—though it was a common dating phenomenon far before it had this catchy title. And unfortunately, it doesn’t just impact college kids. With Thanksgiving and the holiday season adding pressure on even the most mature couples, it often triggers serious discussions and reconsiderations, which in turn often lead to separations.

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