Talking Bitcoin with Friends and Family This Holiday Season

The holidays are a time for connection with laughter, shared meals, and the occasional good-natured debate. And for those of us who’ve spent a few too many hours reading whitepapers or checking block explorers, this season also brings a familiar challenge: explaining Bitcoin to family and friends without turning dinner into a symposium on monetary policy.

In other words, all of the festivities will usually lead to that annual family debate where someone inevitably says, “So… how’s that Bitcoin thing going?” If you’re the one who’s into Bitcoin, you already know how this goes!

Even so, every family has a mix of personalities: the skeptics, the curious, the comedians, and the outright critics. Bitcoin brings them all out. The secret isn’t having the perfect argument; it’s knowing how to meet each person where they are. Let’s walk through a few scenarios, shall we?

The “Weird” Family Member No One Takes Seriously

Every family has one: the cousin or uncle who’s been talking about Bitcoin since 2013 and was written off as a “conspiracy theorist.” Now that Bitcoin’s still here, and doing well, they’re feeling quietly vindicated.

If this is you, tread gently. Instead of launching into a full-on orange-pilling lecture, share a story about how Bitcoin is helping people around the world: remittances, financial freedom, or inflation protection. Keep it grounded, human, and relatable. You’ll win more hearts than with a price chart.

The Tech Person Everyone Trusts… Just Not About Bitcoin

You’re the one everyone calls when their iCloud won’t sync, but when you mention Bitcoin, eyes glaze over faster than a Christmas ham.

Take a different approach this year. Don’t pitch Bitcoin, demonstrate it. Show them how easy it is to send a small amount peer-to-peer. Let them hold a Bitcoin wallet app for the first time. Make it an experience, not a lecture. Sometimes, the best way to get someone curious is to stop trying to convince them.

The Older Relative Who Thinks Bitcoin Is “Just Internet Money”

For someone who’s seen fads come and go, from dot-com bubbles to Beanie Babies, digital money might sound like another trend. The trick is to anchor your explanation in what’s familiar.

Money has continually evolved: from metal coins to paper bills, credit cards, and online banking. Bitcoin is simply the next step, a form of digital money that isn’t dependent on permission, borders, or central control. You might even mention that every generation experienced resistance to new forms of money. The shift from cash to cards once seemed radical, too.

The Kid Who Loves Dogecoin

To them, Dogecoin is the meme coin with a cute Shiba Inu, not a financial system. And that’s okay! You can use that enthusiasm as a doorway, not a dead end.

Explain that Dogecoin and Bitcoin are both built on blockchain technology, but Bitcoin is the one designed to last — a bit like comparing arcade tokens to gold. Encourage curiosity, not correction. Their excitement might be pure fun now, but it’s how future innovators start learning.

The Cool Family Members Who Roll Their Eyes

Every table has them: the effortlessly cool cousins or siblings who think crypto talk is a vibe killer. They roll their eyes at volatility jokes, compare it to NFTs, or say something like, “Didn’t that crash already?”

Don’t push. Smile, laugh, and shift gears. You can mention something unexpected, like how Bitcoin miners are experimenting with renewable energy or that countries are using Bitcoin for remittances, but don’t force the discussion. The cool crowd’s rule is simple: if it’s too earnest, it’s cringe. Let them tease now. They’ll remember the conversation later when curiosity sneaks in.

The Outwardly Hostile Relative

Ah, yes, every family has one. The relative who doesn’t just doubt Bitcoin, but despises it. They call it a scam, a cult, a Ponzi, or worse, a hobby for dreamers who think they’re economists.

That’s not your cue to argue. It’s your cue to breathe. No matter how well you explain supply caps or decentralization, they’re not listening; they’re performing. So don’t give them an audience. A calm, respectful line like “You’re not alone in thinking that, I was skeptical at first too” disarms hostility instantly. Then pivot to something everyone can enjoy: dessert, games, or family stories. You’re not losing an argument; you’re keeping your peace.

The Friend Who’s Secretly Curious But Pretends Not to Care

They roll their eyes in group chats but somehow always know the current price. When they finally ask, keep it relaxed.

Skip the evangelism and tell them you’re happy to share what you’ve learned when they’re ready. Recommend one simple resource or suggest they try a wallet app and send a few dollars’ worth to see how it works. Curiosity tends to snowball on its own.

A Word About Patience

Not everyone will understand, and not everyone needs to. If Bitcoin teaches anything, it’s long-term thinking. You don’t need to “convert” anyone this holiday; you just need to be kind, humble, and open. Family isn’t your target audience; it’s your home base.

So laugh, share food, and enjoy the moments that matter most. Bitcoin will still be here when the lights come down, quietly continuing its work, one block at a time.

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Follow and Connect with the Author, Deanna Heikkinen

• Connect with Deanna on X HERE

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• On Substack Deanna Heikkinen

About the Author

Deanna Heikkinen is an author, historian, and educator with over 15 years of experience in teaching. Holding a Doctorate in Education and Master’s degrees in both History and Anthropology, she brings deep academic insight and a love of storytelling to her exploration of world history, Western civilization, and the evolution of money. She co-authored, with her husband Joel, the 2004 book Shells to Satoshi: The Story of Money & The Rise of Bitcoin, which follows the development of money from ancient exchange systems to digital currency. Her 2025 book Ownschooling: Bitcoin, Sovereignty, and Educationencourages families to reimagine education, sovereignty, and financial literacy in an increasingly decentralized world. She is also developing a multi-level children’s book series that introduces the story of money, from cowrie shells to Bitcoin, to young readers.

As the founder of The Money Wisdom Project, a new nonprofit educational initiative, Deanna seeks to educate children and communities about the history of money and Bitcoin. The organization is working to create comprehensive curriculum packets on the history of money and Bitcoin to distribute free of charge to teachers, schools, communities, and Bitcoin circular economies. The project’s mission is to deepen financial and historical literacy while donating books on the history of money and Bitcoin to schools and public libraries worldwide, empowering learners of all ages to connect the lessons of history to today’s monetary systems.