by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: October 30, 2009

Family get togethers can be pretty stressful, no matter what the circumstances. Thanksgiving dinner can be even more stressful when you are the one who is preparing the meal and hosting it, and you are trying to please everyone. It may not be possible to please everyone, but you can organize a family Thanksgiving dinner in such a way that everyone will enjoy it.

*PLAN AHEAD -

Don't wait until two or three weeks before Thanksgiving to start planning. Make sure you know what people like, who is coming, how many people will be coming and how much food you will need to prepare. Then you can tackle the menu.

*CREATE A MENU -

Start planning the menu well in advance. As you plan the menu, start making a grocery list so you can keep track of all of the ingredients you will need for all of the dishes you intend to make.

*SHOP EARLY -

Start shopping early so you can buy non-perishable items before stores start to sell out. It will also prevent you from having to spend as much at one time. If you discover that turkey is on sale, and you don't mind working with a frozen turkey, buy that in advance as well.

*PREPARING THE FOOD -

To alleviate the stress of having to make the entire meal in one day, consider making some things in advance. If you make a home made cranberry sauce or relish, that will probably taste better if all of the flavors are allowed to infuse the whole dish, and preparing it in advance will do that. If you make creamed spinach, that can be made in advance. If you make your dressing out of leftover bread, cut that up and toast it the day before. You can also make pies and rolls the day in advance.

*ASK FAMILY MEMBERS TO BRING DISHES -

There is nothing wrong with asking family members to contribute to the meal by bringing a dish. Make sure that they let you know what they are bringing far enough in advance that you can ensure that no one is duplicating someone else's contribution. Have someone bring a sweet potato dish, someone bring home made rolls or bread and others contribute vegetables, pies and any other side dishes your family regularly has at your Thanksgiving feast.

*PREPARING THE TABLE -

Rather than waiting until Thanksgiving Day to get table cloths, napkins and other linen out, do that several days in advance. Make sure all of your dishes, flatware and glass wear are clean and ready to use. The night before the dinner, put the table cloth on the table and set the table. If you've got a centerpiece that can be put on the table

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