8 Life-Saving Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving

So you’ve volunteered (or you’ve been volunteered) to host Thanksgiving. If visions of a burnished Norman Rockwell turkey and a Martha Stewart–level tablescape are utterly freaking you out, we’re here to help. Don’t forget, you’re in good company: Americans cook more than 46 million turkeys, 80 million pounds of cranberries and 250 pounds of potatoes at Thanksgiving, and their families still love them even if the turkey is a little dry.

Thanksgiving is not meant to be perfect; a holiday that’s all about family and a tricky-to-cook bird is bound to be a little messy. Your goals should be these: abundant and delicious food, good company and a modicum of sanity. (Step one is to get your hands on a great roaster, but we’re sure you have that covered.)

We scoured the internet for the absolute best expert tips for hosting the biggest food holiday of the year. Want to know how to host Thanksgiving without going insane? With this handy guide, we guarantee success. (Really.)

1. Start Two Weeks Ahead

This is the most important sanity-saving tip. No one can cook all that food in one day. By the time the holiday actually arrives, you’re going to have an enviably short to-do list because you’re going to get so much of the cooking done early. Start right now by making a timeline: pie crusts in the freezer two weeks out, check. The easiest cranberry sauce five days out, check. The cornbread baked three days before, the homemade green bean casserole assembled two days before, check and also check.

2.  There’s No Shame in a Potluck

You’re cooking the turkey. Round out the menu by asking each guest to bring their favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Don’t worry if you end up with three potato options, because everyone loves potatoes. Bonus: Make everyone introduce their dish and now you also have an instant conversation-starter.

3. The Oven Is Prime Real Estate, So Plan Accordingly

Anything that does not absolutely need to be baked at the last minute should not be baked at the last minute. Get creative: Mashed potatoes or gravy can be kept warm in a slow cooker, not the oven. Even the turkey can be flexible, as it can benefit from a long rest before carving, giving you time to pop other items in the oven to warm before serving. Also, room temperature is your friend. Just take this gorgeous roasted root vegetable medley. You can roast the veg a couple of hours in advance and just let them hang out before serving.

4. Delegate!

Someone takes coats. Someone pours drinks. Someone is in charge of the playlist. Someone wrangles the kids. Those someones are not you.

5. Plan for Leftovers Before the Meal

You’ll need takeaway containers; set them out with masking tape and a sharpie for labeling and let guests fill up their own. If you’re planning to freeze leftovers, make sure you clear out space in your freezer in advance. Many Thanksgiving staples freeze beautifully–turkey, stuffing and gravy among them. But green bean casserole, cooked Brussels sprouts and salad are best eaten fresh.

6. Set the Table the Day Before

This is the thing that’s going to make you feel like you are so on top of hosting. No one wants to have to hunt for forks while also taking the turkey’s temperature and mashing the potatoes. This is your Thanksgiving, so take charge: If you have houseguests, let them know it’ll be takeout the night before Thanksgiving. (Eat noodles out of the containers on the couch like they do in the movies.) That way, you can set the table and let it stay pristine until the main event.

7. Skip the Fussy Centerpieces

You’re already buying thyme and sage; simply get a few extra bunches and position them around the table in cute little vases, where they will look beautiful and add their lovely fragrances. Other elements from the menu can also double as decoration: Citrus like oranges and mandarins or colorful vegetables like radicchio look beautiful in a big bowl.

8. A Cooler Can Be a Heater

Instead of tenting everything with foil on the crowded (so crowded!) counter, put dishes into a cooler as they come out of the oven. The insulated walls will keep everything warm until you’re ready to eat.

With these tips, you basically have a PhD in hosting Thanksgiving. The real trick? Try to have fun.