Anonymous wrote:Curious what your schedule was over the day - when did guests arrive, what apps/drinks did you put out when, what other activities like games or walks or TV, when was dinner?

Did a lot of cooking Wednesday (took off work) as well as set the table. Thursday morning do the Turkey Chase, come home, shower, nap, get up and get things ready to go (kitchen and bathroom cleaned, look over time of schedule). At 2:45, put things in the oven to be ready to go at 4:00 (Mac n cheese, dressing, sweet potato dish). Put out appetizers (veggies and hummus, olives - little finger foods). Guests have been invited any time after 3:00, told we are eating at 4:00.

Upon arrival, guests offered water, sparkling water, red or white wine. Also asked to fill out a card or cards of questions (varies, what are you thankful for, what do you like about the change of seasons, what are three things that make you smile, etc.). Around 4:00, spouse starts slicing turkey, and I put out all the rest of the food. Guests get a plate of food from our large kitchen island and head to the dining room, where we say grace, and eat.

When most have finished firsts, some have had seconds, we go around the table and read the answers to the questions. Always interesting. Conversation conti ues for a while, as others get seconds and thirds.

Eventually, we clear the table and head to the kitchen. I put away food, spouse and other relatives wash and dry dishes. We all retire to the family room (some retire earlier than others). We talk, have football games on mute in the background (some family members are die hard fans), and hear about what has gone on in people's lives over the past year and what's coming up as well (vacations, weddings, babies, etc)

Eventually, I put out dessert and we over-indulge. More talking, and eventually, everyone heads home, and I give them care packages of leftovers if they want (around 8:30).

Change into sweatpants and check in with DCUM!

i have cooked dinner for everyone (a varying size) since november 2009, when i was 8 months pregnant with my first (I remember, because I cooked all day and then had to lie down during dinner). since then our family has grown and I am the primary caretaker of my mom with dementia, and DH takes care of his mom in a wheelchair, plus we have kids, etc. We end up hosting every year for a ragtag bunch. It's fine--I try not to kill myself, I usually spent wed night and all day thursday cooking, DH does the clean up....I use it as an excuse to drink some fancy wine but still.....my IDEAL Thanksgiving is to go to some nice, warm resort, and have a great meal prepared for me at a restaurant, everyone enjoys it and I dont have to cook or clean or entertain or care for elderly parents. Perhaps one day...

My Thanksgiving was awesome because my kid was home from college, family I rarely see was here, and the guests I hosted as a favor for a relative turned out to be wonderful people who made the day easy in that regard. Not sure my food was great, the table was definitely too small, but everyone made due with good humor and grace. Awesome.
We ate at 1:30. Apps were at noon. Dessert about 3:30 or 4:00? Guests left around 5:30.

Mom of two toddlers and had a great day! Traveling to stay with my parents, who hosted. Had a lazy morning watching the parade followed by the dog show.. Guests came over around 1pm and quickly switched to football. Had a big charcuterie board with chips and dip and then had the big meal after naptime at 3pm. That was followed by a walk for some of us and some board games. Dessert around 5:30pm.

11: Went out for dim sum
Noon: went to the park
2: thanksgiving crafts
4: heated up restaurant thanksgiving meal, made salad
5: dinner
6: watched Charlie brown thanksgiving
7: kids in bed

Anonymous wrote:Grandparent here. Went to son's house at 9 to watch the parade. Had quiche and banana bread. Spinach dip with chips and cheese tray at noon when toddler went down for nap. Dinner at 4, dessert at 6. All on toddler time. Live five min away and just got home overall a great day

I love this - also have young kids and think this is such a great schedule. Mine love the parade too.

We and college daughter out to fancy restaurant midday. Fantastic. Home in Pjs now football. DD resting with her cat. Nice, no stress, relaxed. Just missing our eldest (working on other coast—home for Xmas).

This year got derailed by a death in the family, but this is our pattern for other years. Deviled eggs, nuts, and sparkling cider when people arrived. We watched either football or the dog show depending on who was in the TV room at any given moment. The meal at 2:30, then a family walk, followed by dessert. Nothing ground breaking.

Ours was awesome -- because just DH and I went out. Eddie V's. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans. It was good.

No guests. Cooked Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Comfy clothes. No politics. Naps and a movie after. It was great.

Grandparent here. Went to son's house at 9 to watch the parade. Had quiche and banana bread. Spinach dip with chips and cheese tray at noon when toddler went down for nap. Dinner at 4, dessert at 6. All on toddler time. Live five min away and just got home overall a great day

Ours was awesome but we had no guests this year, four of us two adults and two teens. Had our meal at 5:30, pies at 6:30 and overall it was an amazing day. Cooked, watched tv, took a nap and ate good food.

We’re diving in Grenada. It was a beautiful day.

Why? It's over thank omg.

Curious what your schedule was over the day - when did guests arrive, what apps/drinks did you put out when, what other activities like games or walks or TV, when was dinner?