Thanksgiving is one week from today. Follow the schedule you prepared earlier and your preparations will flow easily. 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 on the weekend, get there before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
• If you are using a frozen turkey, take it out of the freezer right now. (Seriously, RIGHT NOW. I'll wait.) The larger it is, the longer it will take to defrost. I've done the hot water and blow dryer thing on Wednesday night. It's not fun.
• 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. If you have time, give your fridge a good clean so you are working in an orderly space.
• 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! Review the TSA's rules for what you are allowed to carry on board and in your checked baggage at www.tsa.gov.