lil' bits of this-n-that: Look Out ! Thanksgiving Dinner With The Relatives

Here comes the turkey!

They know where you live. If you can't run away, you might as well be prepared. Start way ahead. In October would have been nice. But hey, no worries, you've got plenty of time. Do the thinking part ahead of time. Too many well-meaning helpers taking over your kitchen can be avoided. So that there's less time to get on each other's nerves, keep'em busy and productive. Everyone gets a job!

Energetic guests can be assigned to play with the children outside.
Someone could start a fire in the fireplace or light some candles.
The most obnoxious guest goes to the grocery store or tackles some daily errands.
The table will need to be set. Drinks poured.
Children can draw place cards or make a centerpiece.
There's got to be someone you can stand to help you finish the cooking.
Who's carving the turkey?
Who brought the wine?

Make breads and rolls weeks in advance and freeze them. The same can be done with pie crusts, cakes and other desserts. Choose side dishes that can be made ahead and refrigerated. The idea is to save only a few cooking chores for the day of the meal.

Here's a great idea. Make a list of things you hate to do and when someone asks what they can bring or do to help, you'll be prepared to tell them.

Don't forget to make clean-up a group activity. Energetic folks get to scrape the dishes. Lazier ones can dry. Let the exhausted people lounge in front of the TV.

Don't be a martyr. You can't do it all. Everyone really wants to feel included. Relax. This might just be the first Thanksgiving dinner with the family you actually enjoy. And just think, if it just doesn't go as well as you had planned, you've got another opportunity right around the corner.