by Courtney Keskinen

Created on: October 12, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

Thanksgiving through its concept is the time of year that families gather together and give thanks for each other and what they have in life. However, this is the early onset of the "holiday season" that tends to create more stress and family affliction than was ever intended. People get caught up in the hustle and bustle of putting out a fabulous spread to impress family, friends, neighbors and coworkers and leaves many feeling exhausted, frustrated and wishing the holiday didn't even exist at all.

The key to truly enjoying this holiday is to begin planning the meal and festivities early. A few weeks should be plenty of time to get the necessary planning completed in a timely and relatively "stress free" manner. It is most beneficial to begin by getting a rough estimate of the number of people who will be coming for your Thanksgiving festivities. This will determine the amount of dining space needed and the number of ingredients for the meal.

Most Thanksgiving meals have traditional staples such as Turkey, Dressing (or stuffing), etc. However, many like to deviate from tradition with their own menu choices. It is also important to take into consideration any food allergies that any family members may have and to plan accordingly for substitute dishes for that individual.

Enlisting help with food preparation and serving from family should be welcomed and appreciated. No one ever said the dinner must be prepared by only one family member and this is where many could get themselves into an emotional and mental debacle. Family members who can contribute with covered dishes will add to the atmosphere, increase the menu and cut down on the preparation time for the host/hostess. Working together as a team will most definitely reduce the stress for all who are involved.

A specific time should be set for the meal. Notify friends and family that this will be the allotted time to eat so that there is no confusion, no late arrivals and no cold food! It is best to have those contributing to the meal to arrive a bit earlier to help with setting the table and getting their dishes ready for presentation/serving.

Many times if there are too many guests to fit at one table, it is beneficial to have a designated "buffet table" that everyone can access easily. This will create a helpful and organized transition from the serving to the consumption of the meal. Have all of the seating arranged beforehand so that you are not scrambling in your attic for extra chairs when everyone is there, plate in hand and ready to eat!

Taking the time for planning, organization and collaboration can ensure that the host/hostess will enjoy the most the holiday has to offer. Take a deep breath and a moment to give thanks for what you have, who you are surrounded with and what the holiday truly means to you and your family. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

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