Even though I’ve never personally cooked Thanksgiving Dinner, I’ve been around my family while they were planning, cooking, and cleaning up after all of our Thanksgiving festivities. I asked my family what their advice would be if someone needed some tips! Here’s what they said.

Need some additional menu ideas? I have a bunch of recipes for Thanksgiving Appetizers, Holiday Appetizers, and Festive Holiday Cocktails!

Here are seven expert tips for Thanksgiving Dinner success:

Plan Ahead and Be Prepared

The most important thing to do is prepare well ahead of time because having everything ready before the guests arrive will ease your stress tremendously. You don’t want to be running around the kitchen frantically when everyone sits down for Thanksgiving dinner.

Create a Shopping List and Stick to it

Your grocery list should include all ingredients you need, as well as any equipment you might need, such as saucepans, bowls, knives, and serving platters. Your best bet will be going to your local supermarket because they often have pre-made grocery lists organized into categories. You can also get recipes for the dishes you’re planning to make.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Start cooking early enough in the day so that each dish is finished when it should be. This way, you don’t need to rush your Thanksgiving dinner.

Make Enough Food 

If you’re cooking for a big family, it’s best to make more food than less. What if Uncle Fred decides he wants seconds? Better to have some extra servings ready, so you don’t need to worry about running out of food.

Taste the Dish Before Serving It

It doesn’t matter how tasty your dish is if it’s too salty or spicy. It would be best to keep in mind that your guests might have a different preference than you, so it’s best to taste your dish first and adjust the seasoning accordingly.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help When You Need It

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner at home, then there’s a good chance you won’t be able to do everything yourself. You can ask your spouse or kids to help you with the dishes or other tasks to focus on cooking and serving the food.

Be Flexible About Your Menu

Your menu doesn’t have to be set in stone. It’s alright if you decide to change it by adding a dish that wasn’t originally on the menu. If something doesn’t turn out well, you can easily remove it and replace it with something else. The Food Network has a list of their Top 50 Thanksgiving Recipes you can check out, too!

Using my tips shared above, you should have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends this year. I hope that these tips have inspired you to host a family gathering this year during Thanksgiving for a festive feast with those you love.