View Poll Results: What time do you eat on Thanksgiving?
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What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
Every year I go to my parents for Thanksgiving, and every year they have a wacky meal time of 2pm, which seems either way too late for "lunch" time or way too early for "dinner". I hate having Thanksgiving dinner this early because I'm not quite hungry yet and know that even after I stuff my face, I'm going to be hungry again around 8 or 9pm.
I'm just wondering if an odd meal time on Thanksgiving is a problem nationwide.
I'm just wondering if an odd meal time on Thanksgiving is a problem nationwide.

#4
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
Depends on the circumstances, which vary wildly. This year, I'll be snacking at work from 7am to 7pm, with a free turkey dinner from work in there somewhere. After work, dinner with the extended family around 8pm.
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
Usually it's around noon or 1pm. Then we just hang out and eat supper (which is just the leftovers from earlier) whenever we feel like it.
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
My family eats around 4 at the latest, I don't know why. Why is dinner 2-3 hours earlier than normal on this one day of the year?
#8
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Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
My preference would be like Mike86's schedule ... First meal served around noon or 1:00 and then leftovers whenever people start getting hungry again. That's how my grandma used to do it.
My sister now hosts, and she doesn't serve till 4pm. My wife's family does the same 4pm.
My sister now hosts, and she doesn't serve till 4pm. My wife's family does the same 4pm.
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
We prefer between 1 and 2. Early enough that we can eat leftovers around dinner time. I personally don't like 4pm. Four is too early for dinner but way too late for lunch. Not sure why you'd suddenly want to do the early bird special for turkeyday.
#11
Admin
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
We eat at 2pm. I guess the idea is that you're eating so much that you're consuming all your calories for the entire day in one meal, so you slap it in the middle of the day, but yes, I agree, by 8-9pm I'm usually looking for a snack or something.
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
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#14
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
If it's a big family event, usually around 2pm. We'll eat and then lounge around until 6-7 when everyone gets round two of the food.
#16
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Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
The midafternoon time tradition is a result of the length of time it takes to roast a turkey. I can't think of another meal that has to cook for so long other than slow cooker fare.
I serve Thanksgiving dinner at 5 PM. A sensible time which neither requires me to be up at oh dark hundred with my arm up a turkey's ass nor requires my guests to upset their usual meal schedule with a tryptophan orgy that will lay them flat an hour later.
I serve Thanksgiving dinner at 5 PM. A sensible time which neither requires me to be up at oh dark hundred with my arm up a turkey's ass nor requires my guests to upset their usual meal schedule with a tryptophan orgy that will lay them flat an hour later.

#18
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
Sometime around noon or 1, whenever the turkey and stuff is done.
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: What Time Do You Eat on Thanksgiving Day?
Between 2-3. Pies and coffee usually served about one hour later. We don't really sit down together for a second round, whoever is up for leftovers may do so whenever they want.