Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t need to leave you stressed. Keep the menu manageable and let your guests contribute. Most people enjoy bringing a dish or helping in the kitchen it makes them feel part of the day.

Don’t focus on details like matching table settings or spotless counters. No one comes for perfection. Guests will remember the laughter, not whether your pie crust cracked. Create warmth with music, candles, and good company.

Prep what you can the day before the stuffing, filling, desserts, brines, then step back and enjoy your own gathering. The best hosts are the ones who sit down and share in the meal, not just the work.