Everyone ends up with leftovers - but don't worry there are plenty of ways to use them up. Turkey can be used in a turkey sandwich or a turkey casserole. It can also be combined with the left over vegetables to make turkey soup - like chicken noodle soup but with turkey. The internet is a great place to find recipes to use the leftovers up.

If you have extra people show up…don't panic. Hopefully you will not have this happen, but more then likely you cooked more then enough anyway. The only drawback is a few less leftovers to eat on the next day.

If you're in charge of cooking the turkey, make sure that the bird is defrosted before you put it in the oven. Always keep in mind when defrosting a turkey that it takes 24 hours for every 5 pounds the bird weighs. Start defrosting early if you want to be sure its thawed.

Plan the menu ahead of time and make sure that there is something that everyone can or will eat. You can also make suggestions that the mean be one in which everyone contributes something. This takes the weight off one person from having to cook everything.

When placing a centerpiece in the middle of the table, try sitting in each chair and imaging looking at someone at each and every chair. This way you can fix the arrangement if it's too tall.

For easier clean up, fill your sink so that silverware and smaller bowels can be soaking while everyone finishes eating. Or, make sure that the dishwasher is empty so as dinner things are finished being used they can be placed in there and the full dishwasher is run while everyone is enjoying desert.

If you are a guest at someone else's house offer to help by bringing a dish, desert, or bottle of wine. Always at least offer to help with the clean up, even if your offer is turned down. Also never arrive too early or overstay your welcome.

Keep a bottle of club soda, and/or a pocket size stain remover, to take care of any stains that happen on guests clothing. It can also be used if something gets spilled on the table cloth.

Don't wait to the last minute to try making a new dish. If you have found a new recipe that looks like it would be perfect, try making it a few weeks before hand. This way you will know if it tastes good, and if you can pull it off in the time you have for preparing the meal.

Cook as much ahead of time as you can. Many cold dished can be prepared a day or two ahead of time and will be fine waiting in the fridge. You can also have some dishes prepared enough that all you have to do it put them in the oven to cook.

Make sure you have ALL your ingredients and utensils ready to go before roasting your Thanksgiving turkey (or any holiday turkey). Last Christmas morning, Mrs. 'bro (my wife) and I both forgot to buy an aluminum roasting pan. We woke up at 4 o'clock in the morning only to discover--no pan!!! We finally found one, but the turkey got into the oven an hour later than planned!

There's another, more serious note here: After stuffing, roast the turkey immediately. NEVER leave a stuffed turkey out on the counter or in the refrigerator before roasting. The moist insides of the turkey provide the perfect place for bacteria to grow if it isn't cooked immediately after stuffing.

If you decided to try to deep fry your turkey, make sure you have thoroughly read all the instructions provided with the deep fryer, paying special attention to the safety precautions. If not done properly, this can be very dangerous!

Nothing beats some tag football in the yard with family. Any kind of activity you can all do together each year will always bring back memories of your family tradition.