How to cope with Thanksgiving stress

The holidays are extremely stressful for most parents who also serve as hosts for the festive season. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, they're feeling everything but festive, so here are a few tips to lessen the load and the stress this holiday season.

1. Simplify and plan way ahead of time. The Barefoot Contessa tells Good Housekeeping that it is best to get organized as early as possible. If you know your grocery aisles like the back of your hand, make an aisle-by-aisle shopping list. You can also cut down the turkey thawing time by half (or even zero) if you opt to purchase a fresh free-range turkey from butchers. For appetizers, simplify and opt for nuts (as long as no one is allergic to them), olives, and other finger foods that come straight out of its packaging and does not require chopping or lengthy prep time.

2. Never underestimate a potluck. Food Network's Chopped host Ted Allen says, "If you're overwhelmed, consider throwing a potluck. Not only does this spread the work around but it also allows other people to share in the culinary glory."

Emmy Award-winning Food Network host Giada De Laurentiis is also all for potluck. She told Yahoo! Food, "Everyone likes to show off their specialties at this time of year and it makes the meal feel much homier."

3. Divide and conquer. Don't be afraid to assign tasks to family members. This may help foster a closer bond while cooking, preparing food, cleaning up the house, doing the dishes, and any other regular holiday preparation activities required of a night of celebration.

Mother of three and blogger Jessica McFadden told CNN, "When people arrive, I totally give them jobs and don't act the martyr. That makes everyone happy and part of the process. The most important things to do, I think, for a stress-free Thanksgiving are to pray, eat and love what you did...and let someone else clean up."

4. Crowd control. Huffington Post suggests that to avoid awkward conversations and stressful arguments that may arise, create a seating arrangement that puts like-minded people together and those who don't get along well slightly apart. Couples may also be placed separately so they wouldn't be isolated (unless of course, they refuse to sit apart). Speaking of forcing, no need to go around and recite what one is thankful for. The event itself should be enough.

5. Don't add unnecessary pressure. The Kitchn executive editor Faith Durand told Huffington Post, "Step away from it, and stop thinking of it as Thanksgiving with a capital T," and instead think of it as "a homey weeknight dinner, just amped up." Once the celebration begins, soak it up and remember that it's more about the company and memories than how perfect the turkey turned out to be.