Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with gratitude, family, and, of course, a feast that seems to have no end. But sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned, and being late to Thanksgiving dinner is a recipe for a good laugh. Whether it’s because of the endless holiday traffic, the last-minute turkey disaster, or just plain forgetfulness, arriving late to dinner is a common situation that everyone can relate to. In honor of all those who’ve ever been tardy to a holiday meal, we’ve gathered 45 jokes of late to Thanksgiving dinner that will keep the laughter going long after the turkey is cold. These jokes are perfect for lightening the mood, whether you’re the one running late or just waiting for the stragglers to arrive.
Turkey Troubles
1. Why was the turkey always late to Thanksgiving dinner?
It couldn’t stop gobbling up all the traffic reports!
2. What did the turkey say to the tardy guest?
“Glad you made it, but next time, don’t wing it!”
3. Why did the turkey show up late to the Thanksgiving feast?
It got stuck crossing the road!
4. How does a turkey apologize for being late to dinner?
“I’m stuffed, but I’ll try to be on time next year.”
5. Why did the turkey get a speeding ticket on the way to Thanksgiving?
It couldn’t wait to be roasted!
Family Delays
6. What do you call it when Grandma is late to Thanksgiving dinner?
A “Gravy Train Delay!”
7. Why was Uncle Bob late to Thanksgiving?
He was still “dressing” for the occasion!
8. What did the family say when Aunt Lisa finally arrived to Thanksgiving dinner?
“We thought you were hibernating with the bears!”
9. How do you know your cousin is late to Thanksgiving every year?
He still thinks pumpkin pie is served in December.
10. What’s worse than being late to Thanksgiving dinner?
Getting there on time and realizing you forgot the mashed potatoes!
Traffic Troubles
11. Why was everyone late to Thanksgiving dinner this year?
The turkey trot caused a jam!
12. How do you handle Thanksgiving traffic?
You just “roll” with it like the dinner rolls!
13. What did the mashed potatoes say when the family was stuck in traffic?
“Looks like we’re going to be mashed even more by the time we get there!”
14. Why do Thanksgiving guests arrive late every year?
They “butter” be stuck in traffic again.
15. What’s the best way to avoid being late to Thanksgiving dinner?
Tell everyone it’s at 2 p.m., even if it’s at 4 p.m.!
Feast Failures
16. Why was the turkey late for Thanksgiving dinner?
It got cold feet in the freezer!
17. What happens when the oven breaks down before Thanksgiving dinner?
Everyone gets “burnt” out waiting for food!
18. Why was the stuffing late to the Thanksgiving table?
It had to fill up on compliments first!
19. What did the cranberry sauce say when it arrived late to the table?
“Sorry I’m late, I got stuck in the can!”
20. Why were the sweet potatoes late to Thanksgiving dinner?
They were waiting for someone to mash their schedule!
See Also: 42 Thanksgiving Crossword Puzzle Jokes
Guests in a Hurry
21. What did the late guest say when they arrived at Thanksgiving dinner?
“I made it just in time for leftovers!”
22. Why did the host laugh when the guests arrived late?
“At least you didn’t miss the turkey’s nap!”
23. What did the pumpkin pie say to the late guests?
“Good thing you came after dinner; I’m the real star here.”
24. What did the rolls say when they showed up late to Thanksgiving?
“Sorry, we just rolled out of bed!”
25. Why was the cranberry sauce never late to Thanksgiving?
It always “jellied” with the other dishes on time.
Mishaps and Misunderstandings
26. What did the gravy say when it finally arrived at the table?
“Better late than lumpy!”
27. Why was the salad late to Thanksgiving?
It couldn’t “leaf” its dressing behind!
28. What’s the secret to being on time for Thanksgiving dinner?
Start eating before the turkey is done!
29. Why did the bread show up late to Thanksgiving?
It couldn’t “rise” to the occasion fast enough.
30. How do you know the cranberry sauce is running late?
When it finally shows up, everyone’s “sauced”!
Holiday Chaos
31. What’s worse than being late to Thanksgiving dinner?
Bringing a dessert that nobody likes!
32. Why did the casserole arrive late to Thanksgiving dinner?
It took too long to warm up to the idea.
33. What do you say to the pie that arrives late?
“You’re the apple of our pie, even if you’re tardy!”
34. What happens when you’re late to Thanksgiving?
You end up in a turkey “time-out!”
35. Why was the green bean casserole always late?
It couldn’t find the “canned-do” attitude.
Table Talk
36. What’s the best excuse for being late to Thanksgiving dinner?
“I was waiting for the turkey to text me its ETA!”
37. Why do Thanksgiving guests always show up late?
They wait until the football game goes into overtime.
38. What did the ham say to the tardy guests?
“I might be smoked, but I’m still here!”
39. Why was the turkey so calm about arriving late?
It figured it was getting eaten either way!
40. What’s the secret to showing up late to Thanksgiving and still being welcomed?
Bring an extra dessert—no one will even care!
Unexpected Delays
41. What do you do when you’re late to Thanksgiving and missed the appetizers?
Say you were just “saving room” for the main event.
42. Why was the Thanksgiving pie late to the table?
It had to “crust” over all the traffic first!
43. How do you make sure no one minds that you’re late?
Show up with a turkey hat—it’s all about the spirit!
44. What did the gravy boat say to the latecomers?
“You’re lucky you missed the gravy spill earlier!”
45. Why is being late to Thanksgiving not so bad?
You get to skip the awkward family photos and go straight to the pie!
Conclusion
Being late to Thanksgiving dinner is no big deal when there’s humor to lighten the mood. These jokes show that even if you miss the first bite of turkey, you can still bring joy and laughter to the table. After all, Thanksgiving is about more than just food—it’s about sharing moments, no matter when you arrive. So next time you find yourself running late to the feast, just remember one of these jokes, and you’ll be right on time for the laughter!
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