https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 21 Jun 2026 03:18:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891361 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 10:08:16 +0000 MaryM 1891361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My family does a brunch the day after christmas. When you have several families with kids on different nap schedules, the morning is usually a bit easier than afternoon and the kids are less prone to get tired and cranky. </p> <p>It's usually something easy to prepare like overnight casseroles. and then the non-hosting families bring pastries, cookies, fruit salad, things like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891348 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 10:03:55 +0000 Mamaof2 1891348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Then make it later 3-5 ish but state on the invite that apps and drinks will be served so no one expects a meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891341 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 10:00:38 +0000 Smurfette 1891341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would prefer the afternoon, so I don't have to worry about getting dressed and out the door on time. I would prefer to lay around and play with LO in our pj's all day. Then I also don't have to worry about messing up nap time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891195 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:31:39 +0000 regberadaisy 1891195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: haha the pajama brunch idea! Haha instead of ugly sweater party it will be a holiday pajama brunch!</p> <p>@Mamaof2: DD1 naps from 1-3. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891192 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:30:04 +0000 blackbird 1891192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: My MIL always hosts a Christmas Eve Open House and it works out great </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891190 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:29:39 +0000 blackbird 1891190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Oh i would totally make it a pajama brunch :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891183 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:23:30 +0000 Mamaof2 1891183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you want to just do apps and drinks I would do 1-4pm. That way its after lunch and before dinner.</p> <p>Make it a Holiday Open House type thing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891178 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:18:01 +0000 regberadaisy 1891178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swurlygurl: haha mimosas at brunch is always a given. ;) it's how we use up the champagne people give us. Hahaha </p> <p>@blackbird: we wake up early too. But we've hosted brunch before and even with making some items the night before it's so hectic getting everything ready in time, getting the LOs and ourselves cleaned up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891175 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:15:17 +0000 Adira 1891175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd prefer to be invited for brunch, because then I still have the rest of the day to do my own thing. I hate having late afternoon things looming over me and forcing me to schedule my plans around getting somewhere in the afternoon. I'd much prefer to get together in the morning!</p> <p>Plus if I'm coming over around 3:00, I'd expect dinner around 5:00! Or I'd only stay an hour or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891170 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:13:53 +0000 swurlygurl 1891170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer brunch. Any excuse for a mimosa ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891164 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:11:31 +0000 lavender 1891164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually do a late afternoon dinner. We usually gather around 1-2 for apps/drinks and do an early dinner around 4ish. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891163 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:11:12 +0000 blackbird 1891163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Brunch sounds perfect!!! I don't think 9 or 10am is too early at all (but...i'm up by 6)</p> <p>We always do a noon/1:00 lunch for my family but dinner time for DH's. </p> <p>3-5, i would expect heavy apps, at least. Sliced roast beef sandwiches, even, esp since i eat dinner at 5 and drinks are served. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891158 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:09:37 +0000 regberadaisy 1891158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: good point. I forget most people do holiday meals early. But isn't that only for day of? When I've been invited to holiday family things dinner is usually served at normal time. So I thought a 3-530 time would give people time to still head to dinner somewhere else? </p> <p>@Cole: haha I'm going to list time frame in the invite! DD 1 nap at 1pm. We eat dinner at 6 and she's in bed by 8pm. :P</p> <p>@Shutterbug: I'm not against dinner. In years past I was thinking dinner but I think more people are busy for dinner than other times. And with an infant and toddler I don't want people still here way past their bedtime. If it was just immediate family that's a non issue. But we will be inviting extended family as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891147 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:06:20 +0000 ValentineMommy 1891147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a guest, I don't think I have a preference (I like both!), but as a HOST, I'd definitely think brunch. Breakfast type casseroles and such are easy and fairly inexpensive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891146 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:05:15 +0000 Cole 1891146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted brunch. I feel like then we could go out and do things with the rest of the day whereas sometimes the afternoon things can drag on and then you have to decide if you need a full dinner etc. Plus if you have little ones your day is pretty much fine by the time you get home at 6.</p> <p>I am also assuming you mean holiday themed and not on an actual holiday. On an actual holiday I expect a full meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891145 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:05:07 +0000 Shutterbug 1891145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If someone invited me over at 3:00 I'd expect that I was staying for dinner (especially around the holidays). If you really don't want to do dinner, I'd say do brunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891144 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:04:59 +0000 Mamaof2 1891144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually do holiday meals around 2pm - apps are out around noon</p> <p>I wouldn't want to do morning because I like to be lazy at home in the mornings for a holiday </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-gathering-time#post-1891133 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:02:09 +0000 regberadaisy 1891133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I want to host a family gathering at the holidays this year. </p> <p>I don't want to do a full dinner and everyone is so busy at dinner time around the holidays! So I'm thinking a brunch or maybe later afternoon thing. I'm leaning more towards late afternoon thing so we have more time to prep while the Littles are napping. </p> <p>Thinking back on your past holidays, as a guest what would you prefer? A brunch (10a - 1pm) or a late afternoon thing (3p - 530p)? We would probably do apps and drinks for the late afternoon thing. </p> <p>Thanks!</p> <p>P. S. I know it's so early but everyone's schedule fills up so fast for the holidays so I'll like to send an email invite out early November! </p>