The "Norman Rockwell dinner" is definitely doable - my family did it when I was growing up. But my mother didn't work outside the house, so she could shop during the day and thaw frozen meats and what not while working mothers are still trying to get away from the office.

That, I think, is the key. It's not reasonable to expect a big production dinner when both parents have full time jobs, particularly professionals who have to work late on occasion. That takes a level of organization most people just don't have.