(Continued from page 4)

White Table Setting

Setting Your Holiday Table and Labeling Dishes

One week before Thanksgiving is the time to decide how to set your holiday table and label your serving dishes. These tips will help you get organized, and will relieve a bit of stress on Thanksgiving Day.

• Take out all your serving platters, dishes, and utensils.
  
• Look through your menu, and label each serving piece with its coinciding recipe.
  
• Assigning dishes in advance is a practical way to see if you are missing any needed serving items.
  
• Note dishes that your guests are bringing -- you don't want there to be a shortage of room on your table, or a lack of platters.
  
• Lay out all of your place settings to ensure that you have ample plates, utensils, and linens.
  
• Press your tablecloth and linens now, and set them on the table until the big day.

Preparing Vegetables and Storable Sides

Two days before Thanksgiving is the ideal time to begin preparing your storable sides. Starting your preparations now will allow you to be less stressed in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. After all, Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate and relax with family and friends.

• Make side dishes that can be stored and easily thrown together the day of, such as cranberry sauce, casseroles, relishes, soups, and dips.
  
• Cut and cube bread for stuffing; set in a single layer on a baking sheet to dry out.
  
• Clean and chop vegetables.
  
• Peel potatoes and refrigerate in a pot of cold water.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving is a very important time to take care of last-minute preparations. To avoid stress, it's best to follow these tips the day before the big day.

• Buy your salad greens and perishable vegetables for tomorrow.
  
• Finish your fruit and pecan pies. Store them at room temperature instead of in the fridge, so they don't get soggy.
  
• Set your table with your linens, serving dishes, centerpieces, and place settings.
  
• Pick up your fresh turkey.
  
• Finally -- make a timeline for tomorrow. Preparing a set schedule and checklist always allows you to get organized while entertaining. The last thing you'll want to have is a slew of hungry guests waiting on an uncooked bird.