Thanksgiving is only one week away!

This is when that schedule you made a few weeks ago becomes worth its weight in gold. You planned out every step, now all you have to do is follow those steps so that you can place a gorgeous and tasty meal on the table next Thursday.

Here are a few of my favorite last-minute Thanksgiving tips:

• Unless it is a true emergency, avoid grocery stores this weekend. It's demolition derby with shopping carts. If you must go, get there before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
• Every meal you eat from now through next Wednesday should use something from your fridge or freezer. That real estate will be precious next week. Clear it out.
• Get your china and serving ware out so that it's close at hand when you are ready to set the table.
• Make a list of tasks you can ask other people to handle. This serves two purposes. It's chores you don't need to do AND it keeps them out of the kitchen while you are trying to work. Ideas include tending bar, restocking the hors d'ouevres, filling water glasses, and lighting candles.
• If you are traveling over the holiday, do not pack wrapped gifts! All gifts transported by plane must be unwrapped. If they don't start that way, the TSA will make sure they finish that way!