The ultimate Thanksgiving guide: What food to cook, when to travel and how to keep guests entertained

Welcome to the trifecta of Thanksgiving: turkey, travel headaches and trying to focus on the things you’re grateful for and not the snide remarks and nosy questions you’re fielding from your extended family. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by it all, you’re not alone: Polling shows that 43% of women and 32% of men report feeling more stressed out and anxious during the holidays.

Need some advice to help you navigate it all? Welcome to your guide to all things Thanksgiving: the recipes you need if you’re toiling in the kitchen, the easy meal delivery hacks you want if you’re not, tips for keeping the group (and kids!) entertained and the best ways to avoid travel disruptions.

Read on for guidance that will make your holiday happier and healthier — and save some leftovers for us, won’t you?

What to cook

Turkey

• First up: Purchase a turkey! It can be fresh or frozen; neither is better but there are pros and cons for each. And remember: Defrosting a turkey in the fridge takes at least 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. [The Pioneer Woman]

• Size matters, so here’s a rule of thumb: Get 1 pound of turkey per person for no leftovers and add on another half-pound per person if you want some leftovers. [Food & Wine]

• Consider brining for perfect flavor. [Southern Living]

• Regarding cooking, it’s best to allocate 15 to 20 minutes per pound at 325 degrees, but a stuffed bird requires more time. [Mashed]

• Lastly, for carving and plating, keep this step-by-step guide handy. [Southern Living]

Side dishes

• If turkey is the star main, mashed potatoes are the star side. You can buy them premade or give Ina Garten’s recipe a whirl (steam-drying your potatoes is the best hack for fluffy, smooth mashed potatoes). [Today/Insider/Parade]

• Sweet potatoes or yams? Yes, there’s a difference. For the best casserole, try Food Network’s recipe with 500-plus five-star reviews. [Parade]

• This green bean casserole recipe is nostalgic and has it all: green beans, the mushroom cream sauce and the crispy onion topping. [The Kitchn]

• To avoid soggy stuffing, there are four golden rules to follow: Choose the right bread, dry it correctly, perfect your stock mixture and use a casserole dish. [Delish]

• If you’re using boxed cornbread mix, Jiffy is your best bet. [Yahoo Life Shopping]

Dessert

• Alton Brown’s pumpkin pie recipe uses a gingersnap cookie crust. [Simply Recipes]

• If you’re making apple pie, King Arthur Flour’s apple pie recipe won the Kitchn’s taste test. If baking isn’t your thing, the one from Whole Foods got a solid 8/10. [The Kitchn/Yahoo Life Shopping]

• Is it possible to make pecan pie even better? Yes! Just add chocolate. [Chowhound]

• Don’t forget the kids! Here are some cute cookies they’ll love. [Charleston Crafted]

The rest

• AleCooks says making cranberry sauce from scratch is easier than you think. There’s always Ocean Spray, though! [AleCooks/Parade]

• Don’t forget the gravy! Did you know you can make it ahead of time? [Parade]

• On appetizer duty? Here are 17 recipes to choose from. [Simply Recipes]

• A charcuterie board is great for pregaming the main event. [Parade]

Or not cook

• If you’re looking for a budget-friendly spread, these $20 Thanksgiving meal deals include turkey and all the fixings without breaking the bank. [Yahoo Life Shopping]

• Talk about convenient: You can get Thanksgiving sides, mains and dessert delivered right to your door. [Yahoo Life Shopping]

• Yes, you can actually cobble together Thanksgiving dinner from different fast food options. No judgment. [The Takeout]

• Want to skip cooking and hosting entirely this year? Head to one of these restaurants, which are open on Thanksgiving Day. [Insider]

Eat better

• Serving a crunchy salad is an easy way to add more veggies to your turkey day plate. [USA Today]

• Roasting is one of the healthiest ways to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. [Yahoo Life]

• Swap out heavy cream for Greek yogurt and use potato skins in mashed potatoes to sneak more protein and fiber into your Thanksgiving meal. [Yahoo Life]

• Stop following this outdated advice when it comes to indulging during the holidays. [Yahoo Life]

• Going alcohol-free? Whip up these dietitian-approved mocktails. [Yahoo Life]

• Pumpkin pie may be technically healthier than apple pie, but there’s nothing wrong with having a sliver of both for dessert. [Today]

Be festive

• Need decorating inspo? Check out these tablescape tips featuring fairy lights, fall foliage, beautiful tablecloths and more. [Becca Blond/Charleston Crafted/Yahoo Life Shopping]

• From centerpieces to candlesticks, celebrity designer Nate Berkus shares his holiday hosting essentials. [Yahoo Life Shopping]

• Hosting on a budget? Here’s how to plan a stellar gathering on the cheap. [Better Homes & Gardens]

Travel smarter

• Get the latest updates on travel delays and weather forecasts. [Yahoo News]

• Know before you go: These are the best and worst days to travel by car or plane for Thanksgiving. [Courier Journal]

• Don’t want the Transportation Security Administration confiscating your pumpkin pie? Here’s what you can and cannot take on board. Hint: That gravy is a no-go. [New York Post]

• It’s expected to be the busiest Thanksgiving on record. Keep the travel drama at bay with these tips from the TSA. [Fox Weather]

• Want to travel in style? Snag these early Black Friday deals on luggage and other in-flight essentials. [Yahoo Life Shopping]

Stay sane...

• Outsource cooking, prep dishes beforehand and other tips to cut kitchen stress on the big day. [Daily Meal]

• Experts recommend laughing and learning to say no to ease Thanksgiving stress. [Yahoo Life]

• If you have mixed feelings about Thanksgiving, try leaning into new rituals and finding ways to embrace joy. [Woman’s World]

...and safe

• Thanksgiving leftovers are a delight — so long as you’re following these food safety tips. [Yahoo Life]

• Watch out for cooking burns, carving knives and other hazards that send folks to the ER on Thanksgiving Day. [Yahoo Life]

Have fun

• Dinner’s over. Now what? Family-friendly board games you can play on Turkey Day. [Today]

• From hosting a leftovers party to playing Thanksgiving Mad Libs, here are fun and unique ways to celebrate. [Love to Know]

• Keep the kids busy with these Thanksgiving crafts. [The Pioneer Woman]

• It’s a big year for turkey trots — despite the weather. [USA Today]

What to watch

• Who needs a movie theater? Fifteen star-studded new movies you can stream over the holiday season from the comfort of your couch. [USA Today]

• Why you should revisit your favorite holiday classics. [Yahoo Life]

• ’Tis the season for new holiday films. Here are eight to stream now. [Yahoo Entertainment]

• How to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. [Yahoo Entertainment]

• Get your annual Charlie Brown Thanksgiving fix here. [Yahoo Entertainment]