Sunday Dinners, Are They A Tradition In Your Home?

I did not grow up with this awesome concept, but each week my husband’s family always had  ”Sunday dinners”.  It is a tradition we have continued in our home, pretty well since our first child was born.

During the week there is always lots happening and life feels somewhat rushed.   Sometimes I will make dinner, sometimes my husband will make it, sometimes our daughter will make it but most often, we will all make it together.  For us, and I think for many, life seems to take a deep breath, relax and slow down on Sundays.

I worked as a nurse for most of my life, so consequently I would often work week-ends;   but with few exceptions, we would always try to always maintain the Sunday ritual of coming together for dinner.

Sunday Dinners

I love the idea of gathering in the kitchen to prepare a meal. Sometimes my husband plays guitar and sings, sometimes one, or both of the kids will join him, and sometimes we all sing!  It is during this relaxed, slow time that we talk, reminisce, share stories, laugh, maybe listen to music, occasionally, during sad times we will shed some tears, but we always come together as a couple and as a family.

Sunday Dinners

It really isn’t about the food; the food is just the vehicle in the slow moving Sunday dinner journey.  We have everything from meatloaf to a full on turkey dinner and summer barbecues to roast beef with all the trimmings.  But, even during times when it is just two of us, we always eat in the dining room, set the table with pretty place mats and cloth napkins, sometimes flowers or a seasonal arrangement and always candles.

Sunday Dinners

For me, it has become my favourite family tradition and one I look forward to each week. Our son has moved away but he has continued the tradition in his own way, even though he lives alone, many Sundays he too prepares a big dinner, and he too looks forward to leftovers on Monday!

I am very interested to learn more about your “Sunday dinners” and would love your feedback on this subject:

  • Growing up were Sunday dinners a tradition in your home?
  • Have you continued or adopted this tradition for your family?
  • Why do you think the tradition of Sunday dinners has all but disappeared from our lives?
  • Do you feel we should strive to preserve this “slow food” experience?

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Comments

  1. What a nice tradition! We didn’t really have anything like that when I was growing up. For me, I associate Sunday night dinners with going out for Chinese food with my parents, aunt & uncle, or dad bringing it home as take out. My aunt & uncle came up every Sunday night for years, whether or not we ate out together. Sundays were always kinda blah around my house….I was doing homework & getting ready for the school week. Dad would doze off & on while watching TV, or would do bookwork for his plumbing business. Mom was puttering around, doing laundry or just making a regular dinner for us.

    • You had a fun Sunday tradition JoJo, getting together with your immediate and extended family for a meal is awesome and who doesn’t love Chinese…I could definitely go for that every Sunday! I’m sure you laughed and shared wonderful times together and that is really what it is all about :)

  2. Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice says:

    Our Sunday tradition is similar, but different. We always managed to get together on Sundays, but it was for Brunch. It was also “mandatory” for any of our kids friends who stayed over night after a late Saturday. His call of “Roll Call in 10 minutes” was often greeted more with groans than smiles!! We shared similar stories, but my hubby was always the main cook….still is with just the two of us to share. I,too,worked many week-ends, so being retired, I really enjoy being able to enjoy our extended Sunday Brunch… sometimes well past noon hour!!

    • lol…love the “roll call in 10 minutes”! There is nothing quite like Sunday brunch with endless cups of coffee and mimosas on those special occasions! You have the same tradition with the gathering of family, stories and fond memories, it all just happens at a different time of day.

  3. Maegan Morin says:

    I dont remember if Sunday dinners were a tradition growing up but I know that they are now. We always go over to my mom and dads for supper on sundays and my siblings do too.

  4. They don’t always happen on a Sunday, and we don’t necessarily always cook, but my family gets together with my parents once per week. We’ve been keeping our weekly date for a year now, and all of us love it! Since we took up disc golf at Christmas, our weekend dates have often involved time at the course, then either breakfast, lunch, or dinner, depending on when we went out and what my dad’s work schedule is for the weekend. I couldn’t imagine NOT having the family time now.

    • I know what you mean Karen, the time of day isn’t what is important. The important part is spending quality time together! I bet it is now a tradition that will carry on and on!

  5. Catherine White - Oak Lawn Lady says:

    When all of our girls were home, we’d have Sunday dinner once in awhile, but not on a regular basis. Now that they’re all on their own have have lots of little ones, a Sunday dinner each week might get a little hectic. But I love the idea of it. Now with just the two of us, we rarely have a ‘special’ Sunday dinner. It might just be something we could begin, though.
    I always love going to your house, just after supper and chatting over tea while Randy plays the guitar in the kitchen or down stairs. It’s so relaxing.
    I watch ‘Blue Bloods on television and admire the Sunday dinner scenes.
    Kathy at Oak Lawn Images

  6. Catherine White - Oak Lawn Lady says:

    When all of our girls were home, we’d have Sunday dinner once in awhile, but not on a regular basis. Now that they’re all on their own have have lots of little ones, a Sunday dinner each week might get a little hectic. But I love the idea of it. Now with just the two of us, we rarely have a ‘special’ Sunday dinner. It might just be something we could begin, though.
    I always love going to your house, just after supper and chatting over tea while Randy plays the guitar in the kitchen or down stairs. It’s so relaxing.
    I watch ‘Blue Bloods on television and admire the Sunday dinner scenes.
    Kathy at Oak Lawn Images

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