Empty Nesters Lure Kids Home For The Holidays With Favorite Family Meals

For many parents whose children have left home, the secret to a full house this holiday season comes down to one thing: food.

A new survey of 1,000 U.S. “empty nesters” — parents whose kids have already moved out — found that more than half (54%) expect their children to come home for the holidays this year, with those reunions requiring an average journey of 596 miles.

The survey, commissioned by The Honey Baked Ham Company and conducted by Talker Research, revealed that 69% find it easy to convince their kids to return home for the holidays — often using their favorite meals as the biggest draw.

A quarter of respondents (28%) said their children make specific homecoming requests, with most asking for their favorite meals (72%), snacks or drinks (46%), and visits to local hangouts (18%). Nearly nine in ten empty nesters (87%) are planning to make their kids favorite dishes while theyre home.

For many parents, those traditions help fill a quiet house. Over a third (36%) said they struggle with the silence of an empty nest, while 35% admit they feel nostalgic for when their children were younger.

“Making the home really feel like home means making sure there’s something for everybody,” said Jim Dinkins, CEO, HoneyBaked. “Around the holidays, people want to feel welcomed. There is nothing quite as welcoming as making sure their favorite foods are ready for them.”

Some parents take a strategic approach to inspire their kids return: 26% say they highlight how nice it is to be home, 19% greet their children with their favorite foods, and 16% send them off with leftovers. Two-thirds said they begin shopping weeks in advance for their kids favorite items, and 42% expect to adjust their menus depending on who their children bring home.

In addition to their kids, many empty nesters are also preparing to host grandkids (53%), their childrens significant others (42%), extended family (40%), and their own partners (36%). Four in five said its important that everyone who visits has something good to eat, regardless of dietary preference.

Most plan to serve an average of three main dishes, with turkey (66%) and ham (52%) topping the list. Still, 56% anticipate at least one last-minute trip to the store — and one in four expect two or more — to grab forgotten ingredients.

“Food is such an important part of the holidays — it’s exactly what empty nesters and their kids can gather around to make coming home for the holidays feel special,” continued Dinkins. “But empty nesters dont want to spend all their time in the kitchen, away from the family members they only see once or twice a year. They deserve to have recipes and meal options that are effortless yet delicious, letting them put more focus on spending time with family.”