Thanksgiving

Ah, Thanksgiving. Home cooking, family get-togethers, crisp weather and parades. For some, it is the start of the biggest holiday season of the year, so you better plan ahead before you are stuck with twenty-five hungry people at your door, expecting a fantastic feast and you with no food in sight. Whether your Thanksgiving is a huge family affair or an intimate gathering, there are some must-haves that can be added to your traditions to make the holiday a special one.

Turkey Tips

The holidays can be a stressful time, so here is some helpful advice to make sure you are prepared this year:

• Plan your menu at least a week before so you can go shopping as early as possible. You don't want to want to scramble at the last minute, fighting with old ladies over the last can of cranberry sauce .
• If you're having dinner at your house, set the table the night before. It's one fewer thing to worry about!
• Try to prepare some of the dishes the night before so you can won't have as much to do on Thanksgiving.
• Ask your guests to bring a dish or a bottle of wine. You shouldn't be expected to prepare everything, nor should anyone show up empty-handed.
• Double-check your guest list. If Cousin Tommy is bringing along his new girlfriend, find out if she's a vegetarian.
• Be extra thankful this year and try to celebrate a green holiday.

Remember to be Thankful

Give thanks this Thanksgiving day for all the wonderful things in your life. This is one major holiday that has no religious divide, so gather everyone together and enjoy. This is a day to start traditions with your friends and family, and it's especially fun to get the kids involved. Check out some of the simple ideas in the guides below to help make your day easier.

Thanksgiving Dinner This guide has plenty of tips for cooking a succulent turkey, making delicious stuffing, and preparing all the wonderful trimmings.	Setting the Table Make sure you have all the proper dinnerware and decorations for the festivities. This guide has tips for choosing glassware, flatware, Indian corn, and mini pumpkins.	Fall Crafts Learn about all the seasonal activities and crafts that are fun for adults and children. Now is the time to build a scarecrow, make a maple leaf turkey, or throw a NFL Sunday party.	Decorations Spruce up your home with these autumn and Thanksgiving decorations. A classy candle holder can add luminance to your house, or maybe you want to add character with a big inflatable turkey.	Thanksgiving Gifts If you're attending a Thanksgiving feast, be sure to bring a token of your appreciation to the host. Neat seasonal gift ideas include pumpkin-flavored coffee  or an NFL mug  for the sports fan.

What's for Dinner?

The most important part of Thanksgiving is obviously the food. You can buy a lot of the components of your meal online, from the hors d'oeuvres to the dessert, so you should check out the complete guide to Thanksgiving Dinner for some delicious meal ideas. Also, healthy living is a big trend these days, and a good one at that, so make sure to have some options for your vegetarian friends.  The Thanksgiving Food Alternatives will help you out with planning. And this is one day you should take the time to properly set the table. Not sure what that means? This guide to Setting the Thanksgiving Table is sure to help. And don't forget....

Turkey  An 8-12 pound turkey serves up to four people, so remember that when you're buying.	Cookbook  Don't wing it when preparing your Thanksgiving feast! Use a cookbook as a guide and you will be sure to impress you friends and family.	Plates  Thanksgiving-themed plates show that you put the time and effort into your dinner celebration. Find matching salad  and dessert plates  as well.	Napkins  Quality cloth napkins can be used every year, unlike disposables. Have a matching color scheme for table runners  and tablecloths .	Apple Pie  Don't know how to bake a pie? Don't worry! You can buy a variety of quality homemade pies  online.

Don't Forget to Decorate

Whether or not you are having people over, a few seasonal decorations really can spruce things up a bit. It's simple to keep your house looking superb with a few strategically placed decorations. If you need some advice, the guide to Autumn and Thanksgiving Decorations spells it all out for you. For more specific decorating ideas, take a look at our Dining Room, Living Room, and Kitchen Thanksgiving decorating guides. Maybe you're not a fan of decorating, but you seize any excuse to give out gifts--check out the guide to Thanksgiving Gifts and go crazy. Lastly, don't forget that this is a great holiday to plan some crafts for you and the kids. The Thanksgiving and Fall Crafts guide is here to help. If you don't have time to read, try these quick searches for your decorating needs.

Candles  You can buy a variety of Thanksgiving candles online, including pilgrim figurines ,centerpiece sets , and festive scented candles .	Centerpiece  Centerpieces can include candles, flowers, fall leaves, and branches. You can choose from living or synthetic to bring in the fall spirit.	Gourds  Many colorful gourds are available online to enhance your home decor.	Fall Leaves  Synthetic leaf decorations decorate your house--without all the allergens.	Pilgrim Flag  A perfect addition to your fall decor that the whole neighborhood can enjoy.

Wreaths   Wreaths are a versatile little item. Place them on doors, hang them on walls or wreath stands , or use them as centerpieces.	Indian Corn  A versatile accent piece for the table or around the home.	Candleholders  Don't just settle for your plain old everyday holders. Look for orange holders or ones with Thanksgiving themes.	Turkeys  It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a few turkey statues around the home.	Leaf Garland  Place some garland around the table, on the mantle, or anywhere that needs a little fall foliage.

Related Guides

Autumn Weddings	Home Decorating Style Guide	Halloween Buying Guide	Thanksgiving Food Alternatives