What Time Should You Eat Thanksgiving Dinner?

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Every family has Thanksgiving rules. Some are spoken ("Dinner's at 3 sharp!"), others understood (Mom gets the wings ), and plenty are hotly contested. We asked Bon Appétit staffers, friends, and their kids to settle the holiday's thorniest questions. Turns out, there's no one right way to Thanksgiving—just plenty of opinions.

What makes a good guest?

If you don't cook, you'd better clean ! —Meredith, 41, Golden Rule follower

As someone who hosts, I have a system, and I want everyone to stay out of my way. —Catherine, 41, channeling inner peace

My mom makes me dust everything. And be honest, no one is going to see the baseboards. —Alice, 8, at your service (begrudgingly)

Guests should bring dessert or flowers. Let me figure out the wine ! —Rachel, 41, future somm

What's the dress code?

You need to look nice for Grandma. —David, 48, upstanding gentleman

Bring out the stretchy pants ! —Haleigh, 31, comfort queen

Turkey costume . —Max, 9, gobble-gobbling

Brown sweater and, like, beige pants. —Amanda, 12, loves a uniform

When should we eat?

12–2 p.m.26%
2–4 p.m.16%
4–6 p.m.58%
After 6 p.m.0%

What's on the menu?

There has to be turkey . —Ashley, 43, traditionalist

Turkey isn't actually that good . —Lindsay, 44, big bird hater

Brisket , prime rib , chicken , elote , cranberry sauce , stuffing , and many , many different pies . —Noah, 13, demanding excellence

Instead of sides we should have doughnuts and Cheetos and cakes . —Charlie, 10, angling for leftovers

Who gets the first slice of pie?

The youngest:30%
The oldest:20%
The baker :20%
Whoever gets up first:20%
Take a plate and pass it down:10%

But maybe we're all overthinking this…

Just do your best. — Synge, 28, here for moral support

The grown-ups eat and talk and the kids eat as fast as they can so they can go play in the other room. — Charlie, 10, ready for the Turkey Trot

Originally Appeared on Bon Appétit

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