I once had a turkey catch fire in the oven just as my Thanksgiving guests arrived. Fortunately, my son the professional fire fighter was nearby. He quickly brought the situation under control, and everyone except the turkey escaped unharmed.  Today the flaming turkey incident is just one more old family story, and like all good stories, it has a moral: Keep family close by during the holidays – you never know when they’ll come in handy.

I don’t recommend setting fires in the kitchen, but fire in the dining room is another matter entirely. Decking a holiday table with plenty of candles is without question the easiest and most economical way to create a magical setting. If candles seem too formal for your family crowd, think again. Informal clusters of low votives and mini-pumpkins strike a perfect balance of festive and relaxed, especially when you keep the table linens bright and casual.

Bringing dishes to the table and serving “family style” is another nice way to keep things comfortable and easy at Thanksgiving. Keep in mind that deeper serving bowls may work better than wide platters on a crowded table. When it comes to dessert, I like to set up sweets buffet-style in a separate area. This gives guests a chance to help themselves whenever they’re ready, and allows the pleasure of dessert to stretch on into the evening as conversation flows.

I prepared my first Thanksgiving in my early twenties, and was far too terrified to enjoy the process. Many years and literally hundreds of Thanksgiving guests later, I’ve come to realize that the best parties begin with a relaxed and happy host. It definitely helps to get as much done as possible ahead of time. That might mean choosing a terrific make-ahead dessert like white chocolate pumpkin cheesecake – or it might mean just buying dessert instead.

To keep it simple and keep your sanity, remember that good bakeries and specialty shops can be your best allies in creating a stress-free feast. But on the other hand, they probably can’t help you in the event of a kitchen fire.

Thankgiving Menu Recipes

Roast Turkey

Chestnut-Sausage Stuffing

Turkey Gravy


Classic Mashed Potatoes

Candied Yams with Marshmallows

Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts

Peas and Onions in Cream Sauce

Cranberry Sauce with Blueberries


Vermont Pumpkin Maple Pie

Divine Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake

The official turkey taster.