In the South most everyone had finished by 2-3pm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the common thread here is a thanksgiving DINNER, not a 2pm meal. Early meals make it stressful. A 5 or 6pm dinner is great because there's no hurry. We eat a good breakfast and then have snacks out all day, drinks around 4pm, dinner at 5:30.

You can’t win me over to this view. I love the early dinner (1:30 here) because everyone is gone by 6 and I have the evening to clean up and enjoy my pumpkin pie in peace. I do a lot of cooking ahead, so the day itself isnt that stressful. My thanksgiving was awesome because family was here and most of my dishes worked.

Same here. I prefer a late lunch as well because I really only cook one meal. Fend for yourself breakfast (I have lots of stuff available, our guests are family and we are used to serving ourselves at each other’s houses). Crackers and cheese and stuff around 11. Big meal at 1:30. Clean up and dishes. Nice long walk. Dessert at 3:30. People can have leftovers if they want (it’s usually the kids) for dinner. It works for our family! Everyone is happy. I don’t love going to bed stuffed. I wasn’t stressed cooking for the early meal. Everyone is different.

Anonymous wrote:I think the common thread here is a thanksgiving DINNER, not a 2pm meal. Early meals make it stressful. A 5 or 6pm dinner is great because there's no hurry. We eat a good breakfast and then have snacks out all day, drinks around 4pm, dinner at 5:30.

You can’t win me over to this view. I love the early dinner (1:30 here) because everyone is gone by 6 and I have the evening to clean up and enjoy my pumpkin pie in peace. I do a lot of cooking ahead, so the day itself isnt that stressful. My thanksgiving was awesome because family was here and most of my dishes worked.

1:00 signature drink and appetizers

2pm spoons and other games

4:00 dinner

6pm dessert

8pm karaoke

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the common thread here is a thanksgiving DINNER, not a 2pm meal. Early meals make it stressful. A 5 or 6pm dinner is great because there's no hurry. We eat a good breakfast and then have snacks out all day, drinks around 4pm, dinner at 5:30.

Totally agree! Having Thanksgiving so early in the day is bonkers. If I had my way I would do it a 7:00, just like a normal dinner party. But I compromised and told people to come at 5:30. We had drinks and snacks for about an hour and then sat down to dinner. Very civilized.

Grandparents expect an early meal here. Took off work the day before to make most things.

I missed that The Dog Show was on. Never again!!! Would have been a good alternative to football. My poodle did provide entertainment to guests, though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the common thread here is a thanksgiving DINNER, not a 2pm meal. Early meals make it stressful. A 5 or 6pm dinner is great because there's no hurry. We eat a good breakfast and then have snacks out all day, drinks around 4pm, dinner at 5:30.

Totally agree! Having Thanksgiving so early in the day is bonkers. If I had my way I would do it a 7:00, just like a normal dinner party. But I compromised and told people to come at 5:30. We had drinks and snacks for about an hour and then sat down to dinner. Very civilized.

We have apps at 3:30. Dinner at 5 and dessert about 6:30. I had 20 people. We play mah jong, watched some football.

Watched the parade with the kids in the morning and ate croissants and eggs. Showed up at my sister’s house at 1, ate at 1:30. Long dog walk, back home and played football with the kids in the yard. Had some leftovers for a light dinner around 6:30, kids in bed at 9. Was perfect!

Also family of 4. Started cooking Thanksgiving meal at 12:30 pm, was finished by 3:30, finished eating by 4:30, cleaned up by 5 pm, went out for a walk, then home to watch a movie and relax. Kids in bed by 9 pm. Loved it.

Anonymous wrote:We had no guests and didn’t travel! Just the 4 of us . I made the meal, we ate around 1, then took a nap and saw Wicked as a family. Came home and ate pie. Very relaxing- no stress, no running around, no hosting.

Family of four here and did almost the same exceot we ate after the movie.

It was wonderful....

Anonymous wrote:I think the common thread here is a thanksgiving DINNER, not a 2pm meal. Early meals make it stressful. A 5 or 6pm dinner is great because there's no hurry. We eat a good breakfast and then have snacks out all day, drinks around 4pm, dinner at 5:30.

Totally agree! Having Thanksgiving so early in the day is bonkers. If I had my way I would do it a 7:00, just like a normal dinner party. But I compromised and told people to come at 5:30. We had drinks and snacks for about an hour and then sat down to dinner. Very civilized.

Anonymous wrote:It was indeed awesome! We had 18 people - my kids, a son-in-law & his parents, my mom & some siblings, plus my FIL in his wheelchair getting a break from his assisted living place.

Lots of laughter and good food from 3:30-7:30 PM, and then after everyone left, my DH and I chatted & cleaned up & generally relaxed.

Now DH is in bed, and it's just me and the dog. I'm giving her some turkey. Right now I'm her favorite person, and all is right in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving, DCUM!

I miss the big thanksgivings I had growing up ❤️

Anonymous wrote:I think the common thread here is a thanksgiving DINNER, not a 2pm meal. Early meals make it stressful. A 5 or 6pm dinner is great because there's no hurry. We eat a good breakfast and then have snacks out all day, drinks around 4pm, dinner at 5:30.

We all do things differently and that’s ok