A National Pastime Misconceived: Why We Should Ditch the 'Dinner' Part of Thanksgiving
When it comes to national holidays, few traditions are as deeply ingrained in American culture as Thanksgiving. For many people, the holiday is an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in their lives. However, a long-standing debate has been brewing about one crucial aspect of this celebration: when exactly should we eat our Thanksgiving feast?
For those who take the phrase "dinner" at face value, the idea that it must be served between 5 pm and 7 pm is often seen as sacrosanct. This mindset assumes that a traditional American meal should begin at a specific time of day, rather than being tailored to individual preferences and schedules.
One writer argues that this approach can lead to unnecessary stress and discomfort for those hosting or attending the holiday gathering. By adhering to an arbitrary timeline, family members may feel obligated to eat earlier than they are truly hungry, leading to moments of frustration and annoyance.
In contrast, those who view Thanksgiving as a more flexible celebration often take a more relaxed approach. For this writer, the emphasis is on enjoying good food and company, rather than being bound by rigid time constraints. By allowing guests to arrive at their own pace and enjoy meals at times that suit them best, the atmosphere becomes more convivial and enjoyable.
The author of this article has a unique take on Thanksgiving traditions, having grown up with a non-traditional approach to holiday dining. Instead of adhering to a set schedule, his family would often cook in advance and serve food throughout the day. This flexible attitude allowed everyone to enjoy themselves without feeling rushed or constrained.
By retiring the term "dinner" from our Thanksgiving lexicon, we can create a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for those who gather together. By embracing a more flexible approach to mealtime, we can focus on what truly matters: sharing good food, company, and conversation with loved ones.
It's time to rethink our national pastime and make the most of this special day. So, let us shed the constraints of traditional dining hours and indulge in a leisurely feast at 3 pm – or whenever it feels right for each individual. After all, as the writer so aptly puts it, "The best time to start eating is 3 pm."
When it comes to national holidays, few traditions are as deeply ingrained in American culture as Thanksgiving. For many people, the holiday is an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in their lives. However, a long-standing debate has been brewing about one crucial aspect of this celebration: when exactly should we eat our Thanksgiving feast?
For those who take the phrase "dinner" at face value, the idea that it must be served between 5 pm and 7 pm is often seen as sacrosanct. This mindset assumes that a traditional American meal should begin at a specific time of day, rather than being tailored to individual preferences and schedules.
One writer argues that this approach can lead to unnecessary stress and discomfort for those hosting or attending the holiday gathering. By adhering to an arbitrary timeline, family members may feel obligated to eat earlier than they are truly hungry, leading to moments of frustration and annoyance.
In contrast, those who view Thanksgiving as a more flexible celebration often take a more relaxed approach. For this writer, the emphasis is on enjoying good food and company, rather than being bound by rigid time constraints. By allowing guests to arrive at their own pace and enjoy meals at times that suit them best, the atmosphere becomes more convivial and enjoyable.
The author of this article has a unique take on Thanksgiving traditions, having grown up with a non-traditional approach to holiday dining. Instead of adhering to a set schedule, his family would often cook in advance and serve food throughout the day. This flexible attitude allowed everyone to enjoy themselves without feeling rushed or constrained.
By retiring the term "dinner" from our Thanksgiving lexicon, we can create a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for those who gather together. By embracing a more flexible approach to mealtime, we can focus on what truly matters: sharing good food, company, and conversation with loved ones.
It's time to rethink our national pastime and make the most of this special day. So, let us shed the constraints of traditional dining hours and indulge in a leisurely feast at 3 pm – or whenever it feels right for each individual. After all, as the writer so aptly puts it, "The best time to start eating is 3 pm."
why bother with dinner time when you can just have a whole day of turkey coma? 
let's ditch the schedule and just eat whenever we're hungry! 
. I mean, back in my grandma's day, they'd just sit down whenever everyone was ready to eat, and that was it! No fuss, no stress. And you know what? It was always better that way 
. Nowadays, it seems like we're so caught up in trying to follow some arbitrary timeline that we end up feeling like we're gonna miss out or that someone's gonna get left behind. I swear, who needs a 3 pm dinner anyway? 
like why can't we just eat when we're hungry? and what if you have a busy morning and arrive later in the day? it's not fair to force everyone into this 5-7 pm time frame. i mean, who even is the original person that said "dinner" has gotta be between these hours? that sounds super stressful for hosts too! 
i'm totally with whoever says we should ditch the traditional dinner part and just chill out, enjoy good food and company whenever 
. Like, who says we gotta stick to a specific schedule just 'cause that's what our parents or grandparents did? It's all about feelin' relaxed and enjoyin' good food with the people you love, right? And let's be real, 3 pm sounds like a perfect time for me – after lunch, but before dinner 
. And honestly, if we can make Thanksgiving feel less stressful and more chill, that's a win in my book 
.
. I mean, who needs a strict schedule when you're trying to enjoy quality time with family? It's not like the turkey is going to get cold or anything 
. Let's be real, some people are hangry and just want to chow down whenever they please. And honestly, it's kinda refreshing to see someone arguing for a more relaxed approach to mealtime. Who says we have to stick to 5 pm - 7 pm like it's some kind of sacred ritual? 
I'm team 3 pm dinner all the way 
. The whole 'dinner' part of Thanksgiving is just a bunch of unnecessary stress. I mean, who says you have to eat at 6 pm like clockwork? It's all about enjoying the food and company, not being tied down by some arbitrary schedule 
. My family always does things differently on holidays, we cook ahead and serve whenever we want, it's so much more relaxed and fun 
. It's not about being punctual or keeping up with some old-fashioned notion of what a 'proper' mealtime is, it's about sharing good food and making memories with loved ones 
.
its like 5 hours long anyway... my fam just eats whenever we get around it 
. By letting go of this arbitrary timeline, we can focus on what truly makes the day special: good food, great company, and meaningful conversations 
.
. i mean, who needs a strict schedule when u got good food and company to enjoy? my fave part is always the leftovers, btw 
. Let's ditch the stress and make our Thanksgiving feast whatever we want it to be! Whether it's 3 pm, 6 pm, or whenever, as long as everyone's happy and having a good time, that's all that matters 
!
. And honestly, who hasn't had that one family member who shows up late or gets hungover on Turkey Day? 
"Just arrived at Thanksgiving dinner, two hours early" 