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My biggest advice is to bake the desserts the day before. And try to time as much stuff as possible - it's best to do the sides stove top if possible.

I always make my mashed potatoes earlier in the day, then put them in a crockpot (on warm or low) with a splash of milk and a pat of butter on top. They'll keep for hours, and that's one less thing to do when you're trying to get everything else on the table at once. Also if you've got a good bakery near you, just buy some rolls. Get the butter out in advance too, it'll get spreadable in plenty of time.

We're going to my mother's this year, so I'm off the hook!

Leave enough time to get yourself ready & have a glass of wine before the guests are due to arrive. Cook that bird way early to free up oven space- it will hold hot for an hour easily (especially covered in foil & a few towels).

And be prepared to improvise if needed. If something doesn't turn out exactly as you plan, don't apologize. No one will know unless you tell them.

I've reduced my stress level this year by simply making fewer dishes, and by choosing dishes that appear to offer the most flavor in the fewest steps.

I'm beyond nervous! I'm baking my mother's apple pie for my boyfriend's family but my mom is 3000 miles away so I don't know if I have enough sugar, the right kind of apples, will the filling be too thin! That, plus the 8 hour drive from NYC to Ohio!

Peggasus- great call on the potatoes! I throw a big Christmas party for friends every year and I've been struggling with how to get the spuds done in time for the dinner and keep them hot while everyone gets their plate filled.

I've never had to host a Thanksgiving, but the Christmas party that I throw is essentially identical to a large
(15 person ) Thanksgiving dinner. I always bake breads a week or so in advance and freeze them until the day before the party. I ask my guests to bring either desserts, appetizers, or wine to share, which cuts down on things for me to make and buy, and adds a lot of neat variation. I also keep a list in my mind of what things are easy and can be delegated to those who show up a little early and ask what they can do to help, so I don't get bogged down by completing simple tasks.

If things get a little crazy, have a glass of wine or a Mimosa... after all, it's your holiday too!

I recommend chopping all veggies/ setting the table/ other prep work the night before, as well as cooking anything that keeps well the night before too (pies, mashed potatoes etc)

This Thanksgiving dinner will be the 10th one I've hosted for my family. There are always 10-14 people at our house. The 1st time was a chaotic and dinner was late. However, each year I learned what to prepare ahead of time, what recipes didn't go over well and what were the must-have dishes. Last year, my brother-in-law exclaimed, "This was the best one yet!" so the dinner menu will be the same this year though the desserts will be new. I love to experiment on a captive audience. Anyhow, I suggest looking for ways to prepare dishes a day or two in advance. It'll reduce the stress level on Thursday. Also, try to clean up as you go along so that the looks of your kitchen doesn't drive you crazy!

drink the glass of wine as you're calling the catering company.

When making a turkey I may vary what aromatics I stick in the cavity and what flavor profile I use on the seasonings, but I always let it cook on its own for 45-60 min, then baste every 20 religiously. I also rub down with butter every other basting. Butter under the skin, butter during basting, butter is your friend for a moist, flavorful, if not exactly low fat, turkey.

Invite one "holiday orphan" who doesn't have anyplace to go. Perhaps they have no family or no family close by, but that person will always appreciate whatever you cook regardless of whether the mashed potatoes are lumpy or the stuffing isn't just right. Plus family (at least my family) is always on their best behavior around guests.

Also, I keep the new dishes limited to one or two and I try to make them as a side for dinner a month or so in advanced so I know what to expect. Everything else is something from last year. If it goes over well it stays.

Set the table the day-- or even two days before.

Remember, tension is contagious. Your guests will have fun if you are.

And ultimately, everyone there is grateful to you for hosting, and there for company, tradition, and a celebratory meal. Not picture-perfect perfection.

We laugh more about the year the chandelier fell into the mashed potatoes than we talk about how juicy the turkey was in 1997.

Patrick, our most laughed about Christmas was the year the dog ate the Christmas ham.

ExACTly. :)

prep the veggies, put 'em in containers so they're all chopped and ready to go. do the baking the night before. cranberry sauce also if you make it homemade. but most of all relax and don't get super stressed. its just dinner :)

(explanation: I am a nerd) I make a spreadsheet with all of the dishes on it. Recipes for some of the items are included on the spreadsheet for quick reference. The grocery list is on the far right. I also include what serving dish the food will be going in and note any items I can prepare a day or two early.

Have fun! No stressing! Let people help!

Remember to take that little bag of things out of the middle of the turkey before you roast it.

JenniferNYC - remember, your boyfriend's family has no idea whay your mom's apple pie "should" taste like. They'll have no idea if you use different apples or if your filling is a little thinner. And if it helps, I don't think I've ever had bad homemade apple pie.

My in-laws are visting us, it will just be the 4 of us and my MIL, a great cook, is making the bulk of the dinner. I plan to peel potatoes, take a few orders in the kitchen, and then settle down with my husband and FIL for a little beer and football (which sounds a lot better than getting into a power struggle in the kitchen).

Good luck all of you with your holiday! And thank you ATKitchen writers for all your great posts! I'm always thankful for this blog.

Pegasus, that's a great mashed potato tip. I don't know why, but mashed potatoes are my Waterloo.

Agree with all the advice to accept/ask for help and plan/prep ahead as much as possible.

I would also suggest making a list/timeline of the dishes you are making and tape it up near your prep area. As you complete items, check them off the list. This is your visual reminder of what's complete and what still needs to be done.

I do the potatoes on a burner outside that I normally use for beer brewing. One huge stock pot outside makes things less crowded on the stove. Also, if they're running late a 55,000 BTU burner will bring the water to a boil quick like.

Other than that, I just use the morning to do all my prep work, so the veggies and spice mixes are sitting in bowls in the fridge waiting to get pulled out when I need them. I'm baking the bread for the stuffing tonight, so it will be a little dried out by Thursday when I start making it.

Also, we keep a few treat items out for snacking so people don't get restless. This year, we'll have deviled eggs and pickled asparagus.

Don't be hurt if one or all of your dishes are untouched by the end of the night. My bf and I are spending Thanksgiving with a bunch of omnis and we're bringing vegan, but not threatening, items. Stuffed mushrooms, spiced and roasted fall veggies, and vegan pumpkin cheesecake. Most of the people in my stepmom's family haven't eaten vegetables in decades. So I'm already preparing myself for bringing my food back home.

I'm stealing this tip from my parents who always make the turkey together. I've never eaten a dry turkey in my life. They stuff the cavity with fresh onions and celery and they bake the turkey upside down until the last 40 min. (i think!) when they flip it right side up so the skin gets crispy. They've never put any butter or anything on the outside and they buy natural turkey that isn't already basted. It always turns out totally moist and delicious. I don't spend Thanksgiving with them anymore - i just travel back home for Christmas - but I do miss the turkey!