665180 Fri Nov 06 08:34:18 -0800 2009 3 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 5160849 What time are people eating dinner? At lunchtime, or a little bit later? Has anyone got experience of the optimal time to serve when there are kiddies at the table? I find myself hosting Thanksgiving this year, third time, but the first with a baby and child guests! Question is, what time to serve dinner? In the past, with just husband and me, we kind of ate whenever the bird was ready... This year we're having some friends over, who have kids between the ages of 5-9, plus a 15-month old. We're not football-watchers, so no restrictions there, it's all about the grub for us. Any suggestions? Fri Nov 06 08:34:18 -0800 2009 128592 sloepoke 1 5160900 Usually around 2pm, right after the ding of the microwave, telling me my Hungry Man Turkey dinner is done. Fri Nov 06 08:46:36 -0800 2009 5160849 243273 pacheeseguy 2 5160914 I would agree with 2:00 PM......Every year, the family time is usually announced for 3:00-4:00 PM, but once 2:00 PM arrives everyone starts to get antsy.....even with all the other food that's out......They all want the turkey and sides. Fri Nov 06 08:50:30 -0800 2009 5160900 123497 fourunder 1 5161262 Ask your friends when their youngest usually naps, if he's a good napper, if he'll nap at your house. When are your friends coming over? If the youngest is an early napper, you could see if your friends could put him down for a nap at your house noonish, and get him up in time to eat around 2, or you could push the meal back a smidge to accommodate the nap. I agree that a midafternoon mealtime would be ideal, as long as you're not dealing with a fussy, overtired toddler! :) OTOH, since a 15-month-old is probably not going to be too bummed to miss out on the T-day food, your friends might prefer that he take a nap during the meal. A lot of it will depend on the kids' ordinary schedule. My suggestion would be to schedule dinner about 30 minutes post-nap, or during the nap, sometime between 2 and 3. Then when the older kids are finished, you can park them in front of the Charlie Brown thanksgiving movie ;) while the adults have some chill time. Fri Nov 06 10:52:18 -0800 2009 5160849 256229 LauraGrace