Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most highly anticipated meals of the year, especially if you’re hosting it. With it being just around the corner, it’s good to get a head start on things so you’re not stressed out doing everything last minute. If you are unsure where to begin, start here:

Decorating

Decorating the home is the first step in preparing for any kind of Thanksgiving festivities. Without the warm feeling of the harvest seasons, it’s hard to get in the Thanksgiving mood.

This can be accomplished simply by filling the house with fall colored items. Pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, and fake fall leaves can be used as centerpieces around the house. Arts and crafts can also be part of your decorations, especially if you have kids. It makes the home feel more loveable and welcoming.

Planning for the guests

First, you need to make a guest list. Knowing how many people are attending your Thanksgiving dinner is important because without knowing you won’t know how much food to make. Its best to contact your friends and family ahead of time to see if they are going it is also important to follow up with them when Thanksgiving gets closer to double check that they are still coming over.

Planning the meal

Once you know how many guests, it’s time to cook. But before you get started on the food, find out who exactly is going to attend the dinner, ask the guests what dishes they will be able to contribute. Make a list of the dishes that guests are willing to bring so you can plan accordingly when preparing the food. Turkey and ham are must-haves on this day and if you’re the host of the dinner, those dishes are pretty much up to you unless someone says otherwise.

Preparing the perfect turkey

The turkey is the core of any Thanksgiving meal. Well, unless you’re a vegetarian or vegan. The way someone prepares and bakes a turkey can come from how we were taught or from finding a recipe. There are so many different ways to prepare a turkey. If you don’t know how to make a turkey, countryliving.com has 25 different turkey recipes for you to choose from. You can find vegetarian/vegan alternatives at inhabitat.com.

Setting the table

The type of dishes you use is up to you but it also depends on what type of crowd you are entertaining. If your guest list mostly contains adults, bringing out the fine china may be the best option. However, if your guest list contains a larger crowd including a handful of kids, paper plates and cups may be a better option to avoid a larger mess and broken dishes.

The leftovers

One of the best things about Thanksgiving dinner is the leftovers. A lot of people let it sit in the fridge until it becomes no good, but that is a waste. You can make completely different meals out of the leftovers. You can save money by taking it for your work lunch or by packing it for the kid’s school lunch. It can last for days and all the investment you put into the meal will definitely be worth it.

Be thankful

Last but not least, don't forget to be thankful. After all, the purpose of Thanksgiving is to be thankful for what you have and the loved ones around you. Say your prayers or do whatever it is that you and your family do to show that you are thankful for one another.