A hassle-free Thanksgiving

New Haven (WTNH) - Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away. Take the stress out of preparing for the big turkey dinner with a dash of pre-planning and a splash of Thanksgiving organizing!

Lisa Lelas, professional organizer and owner of Life Styling in Guilford, was back this morning to give us some valuable tips to make this Thanksgiving holiday hassle-free.

Here are the tips Lisa gave on the show:

1. Scour your favorite cookbooks or, better yet, favorite family recipes. Decide on your menu and plan to make as many "make-ahead meals" as you can, such as side dishes and desserts that can be refrigerated at least a couple days ahead of the family dinner party. The idea is to be with your guests, not alone in the kitchen.

2. Plan for seating. Even if you need to set up a table in family room, as well as the dining room and kitchen, using matching table linens throughout the home will bring all the dining tables together. Local rental companies can drop off extra tables & chairs if needed, or be creative and make a bigger table by placing an old door or plywood over a smaller table.

3. Set up a crafts/games area for children. Kids may not want to linger at the dinner table or watch football on TV. Have things ready for them such as coloring books & crayons, play dough, construction paper & popsicle sticks (for turkey puppets) or cloves and oranges to make popular pomander holiday gifts.

4. Create an easy centerpiece. A simple glass bowl filled with fruit is a beautiful statement about the bounty of Thanksgiving food. Add a few lit candles and your tabletop will be plenty festive!

5. Use subtle decorations. Basic wire ribbon can be tied to the back of each dining chair or even around the stem of the water glass to enhance the festivities.

6. Set up a self-serve coffee & dessert bar. It can be set up on a side table or buffet, or use one section of the kitchen counter. Have tea, coffee & hot cider with eating utensils, dessert plates and pies and cookies ready for guests to help themselves throughout the day after the dinner.

7. Extend gratitude. Don't forget what Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season really means. This year at the holiday dinner table, pass around a gratitude journal for guests to fill out what they are most grateful for.

8. Start a new tradition, such as a gratitude table runner, whereby family & friends sign it and share their gratitude and add to it year after year. Or, go to movies together to catch an early release of a new holiday flick.

9. Cherish family memories. Dust off an old family photo album and place it on your family room coffee table from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day as a nostalgic conversation piece for holiday guests and your immediate family throughout the season.

10. Remember those less fortunate. Thanksgiving is a day to reflect, be grateful, and giving. Invite a lonely neighbor over for dinner or bring a hot plate of food to someone you know isn't feeling well. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or donate a frozen turkey to a local food drive in your community if you can. Make this the Thanksgiving you'll never forget!

For more tips from Lisa Lelas, visit her website at www.lifestylingwithlisa.com.