Stress-Less Thanksgiving

If you want to have more Thanksgiving fun and the party's at your house, these tips will help you plan your Thanksgiving event. By planning ahead, you'll be able to "savor" the holiday:

Cleaning -- Hopefully, you've completed your fall cleaning earlier. If not, check out the Fall Cleaning Tips in the September issue of Messy Makeover Magazine. You have to be a subscriber to access the archives. [Note: go to http://www.straighten-up-now.com/]

Menu Preparation -- Not everyone eats turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Different cultures have different traditions. I know of one family who always has squid every year for Thanksgiving dinner! While not every family has such exotic tastes, menu planning and preparation is still the first step in good holiday planning regardless of what's on the menu.

Plan Ahead -- Many items (especially canned goods) can be purchased well in advance. Some entrees can be cooked ahead and frozen without losing flavor, nutrition or texture. If you have a dish that can be frozen, cook it ahead of time and freeze it. If you're not sure how long items can be frozen, check out the tips on freezer charts and freezer storage guidelines.

Delegate -- Delegate items to family, guests or other attendees. You don't have to prepare everything! Even people that don't cook can bring chips and store bought dips, bags of ice, a bakery dessert or a jar of pickles. Everyone should contribute.

Shop -- Once you have your menu planned, write out the ingredients for each dish. Check your refrigerator and pantry for items that you already have on hand. Your budget will appreciate it. Create your shopping list and purchase what you can ahead of time.

Special Items -- Don't forget about items such as plastic wrap, zip lock bags, aluminum foil, wax paper, paper towels, etc. If using prepackaged mixes, check the contents and directions for other items you may need to prepare it (eggs, milk, etc.).

Decorations -- Part of the holiday fun is decorating. I personally love fall colors and fall decorations! Use a combination of flowers, gourds, leaves and berries to dress up your home and your table. Scarecrows, dried corn, turkeys and horns-of-plenty are attractive as well. Candles are welcoming, just be sure to put them in a safe area away from small children and pets.

Have Fun -- You don't have to be Martha Stewart or spend a lot of money. Create some family fun. Set aside some time with your family and make your own holiday decorations. Plan ahead and shop early. Fall decorations come out in hobby and craft stores as early as July!

Guest List -- Make your guest list early. Realize that some people have more than one house to visit on Thanksgiving. Try to time your Thanksgiving celebration so that the majority of your guests don't feel pulled in different directions.

Commit -- Get a firm commitment from your guests as soon as possible. Make sure to write down which dish each person is bringing for your menu. Have a back up plan for that menu item in case of last minute cancellations or "no shows."

Table Setting -- If you have a formal dining area or dedicated space, set your table and put out your decorations the day before. This will eliminate last minute rushing around.

Timing -- Make sure you check how long it takes to cook each item. Timing is everything when preparing large meals. You don't want to over or under cook foods or have dishes getting cold (dry, hard, etc.) because another item is still cooking.