If you’re cruising blogs today in a fit of procrastination from the crazy to-do list for tomorrow’s holiday (hey, I’ve been there), I thought I’d share a couple of last-minute tips and tricks to keep you sane. After all, we should reserve tomorrow for being thankful, not sobbing over mismatched flatware that you didn’t discover until the final (stress-fueled) hour.

If you’re hosting…

• Set the table today. Just get it over with!
• Dreading arranging flowers cause they always look wonky? Skip ‘em. Odd number of pumpkins in various sizes, plus candles. Boom. Centerpiece.
• Wash and set out serving dishes somewhere tonight, with spoons. Just make sure you know what’s going where when it comes off the stove/out of the oven.
• Put extra serving spoons/trivets/potholders in an easy-for-guests-to-access place, preferably out of the kitchen. That way when guests arrive with a dish, they won’t be under your feet getting it table-ready.
• Have some music playing before guests arrive so it’s not eerily quiet when the first early-birds are hanging around.
• If you need to, take a moment in the midst of all the prep to hide in the bathroom, take some deep breaths, and freshen your lipstick. Hosting is stressful! But if you seem relaxed, chances are your guests will be too, and that’s more fun for everyone.

If you’re a guest…

• Bring a bottle of wine (plus anything else you were requested to bring) but don’t insist that it be opened. If it isn’t, it’s a hostess gift.
• Offer to help, but if the kitchen is already packed, it might be best to stay out of the way.
• Compliment and thank your cook!
• Offer to help clean up and get a head start on dishes. Be sure to ask if anything shouldn’t go in the dishwasher.

And have a safe and happy holiday!