Thanksgiving Preparation without as Much Stress

For many, Thanksgiving day is visualized as a warm and loving time with family, filled with the aroma of comforting foods and feelings of gratitude. The Holiday can also bring on feelings of stress from high expectations, preparation for the big day, family disagreements and worries about overeating.

How can this stress be avoided? The key is preparation. If you're hosting a Holiday get together, here is a quick checklist to help make your Holiday a stress-free and enjoyable one!

1. Make a plan & write it out - Begin with your guest list. Figure out how many guests you'll have so you can plan how much you'll need to buy to make your meal. Planning ahead is the key to alleviating stress as it helps to avoid all your "to do's" piling up at once.
2. Make it a potluck - Ask your guests to bring a dish, drinks, paper goods or decorations to share. This is a great way to get family and friends involved and to spread out responsibilities of cooking and preparation. You may find it helpful to make a list of what everyone is bringing so you don't end up with 3 dishes of mashed potatoes.
3. Shop earlier - Hit the stores early to stock up on the items you'll need. This way you'll avoid the mobs of people who are also shopping last minute, and you'll have time to pick up any forgotten items in a flash if necessary. 
4. Prepare foods in advance - Try to make as many dishes and desserts in advance. This will give you more time Thanksgiving morning to relax and enjoy your day.
5. Making a new dish? Do a test run first - Make the new dish ahead of time to see if you enjoy the flavor and texture. You can then make adjustments if necessary so you have it "just right" on Thanksgiving day.
6. Get everyone involved - Encourage your children and/or spouse to help with cleaning the house, folding napkins, setting the table and preparing foods. This way you're not feeling like you have to do everything yourself and they'll feel like they contributed to the special day as well.
7. Serve buffet-style - This will help with space on the table and for cleanup after the meal. It also allows guests to get up and help themselves whenever they want.
8. Turkey tip - Take your turkey out of the oven and leave it covered for 20 minutes before slicing. This will buy you some time in the last minutes to get everything ready at once. It will also ensure that your turkey stays tender.
9. Share stories & memories - After your meal sit with your family and friends and share a little family history. This allows your children the chance to learn about family traditions and where they came from, as well as an opportunity to hear one another laugh and reminisce.
10. Be thankful - Put family issues aside, swallow your pride and forgive. Let go of any previous grudges and vow to make a fresh start and new beginning with others.