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Thanksgiving is a time to show gratitude for the many blessings we have been given in our lives. Stress has a way of making us forget exactly what we are grateful for. Planning ahead for Thanksgiving Day can reduce the stress and give us a chance to enjoy time with family and friends.

Preparing a list of things you need to accomplish can save a lot time and energy. Set aside a quiet evening for organizing your thoughts. Start by making a menu. If others contribute to the meal then jot their name next to the dish and phone them to confirm that they are going to bring that dish. Pot luck style dinner works well in our family as we all work full time. After the menu is created start a shopping list. Perhaps you're the person brave enough to cook the entire meal; this would be the time to check the recipes to make sure you have all the ingredients needed. Review your list and pick up a few items at a time. Plan on making some of your salads and pies early.

Calculate the number of people you expect to have attending your dinner. Remember to figure in the children and a surprise guest or two. Make a tentative seating arrangement but be flexible as people usually set where they end up and it really doesn't matter where they sit as long as they have a place to sit. If there are people that don't get along well then suggest where they should sit, placing a few other people between them as a buffer.

Getting the house ready for a gathering can be daunting. By delegating chores then everyone can participate in the cleaning process. Even small children can pick up magazines, newspaper and use a dust cloth. Set aside a day or two for a family cleaning day. Never assume things will get done simply because they need to be done. Ask for help. This will lessen the stress on the whole family.

If Thanksgiving is when you put up the Christmas tree, perhaps getting the decorations out of the attic or garage early may take some of the pressure off. Checking the lights and making sure the decorations are ready will make sure everything is ready when you put them up. Consider putting the outside decorations up a day or two after Thanksgiving.

Plan activities to help keep your guest entertained. Football may be fine for the adults but children get bored easily. Have a table set up with paper, crayons and games. Have an adult or the teenagers in the family supervise the little ones. This will not only keep them entertained it will also keep them from being underfoot and away from a hot oven.

The main thing is to keep it simple. Don't stress if things don't turn out as planned. Thanksgiving Day is exactly that, an opportunity to give thanks for what we have and for those around us.

Learn more about this author, Dee Cain.
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