Thanksgiving is known for its endless pickling methods, divisive side dishes, and quarrelsome family members. It’s no wonder hosting can be stressful. Unless you’ve got The Right Stuffing, that is. This series is dedicated to all things Thanksgiving and will help you create dishes that will make it to your table year after year, even if it can’t help you manage your family members.

Thanksgiving dinner is a dance. Between family and the National Dog Show, which is just a drinking game sponsored by Purina, it’s a dance we usually do when we’re distracted. A written timeline will save you and allow you to enjoy Thanksgiving because even if you’re drunk, you can look at the timeline and get back on track. You don’t have to remember anything. And this year, we’ve created a printable timeline that you can have for yourself.

Make two smaller pans with sides instead of one large one. If they fit side by side in your oven, you get four sides in your oven at once instead of two, and smaller pans take less time to heat up. Serve the first wave and fill the second wave when you’re ready to eat. Disposable half pans are perfect for this, and if you buy the lids, you can stack them in your fridge.

Only outsource dishes to guests that do not require your stove or oven, such as appetizers, alcohol, dessert, or salad. Your plan will be disrupted if someone shows up who plans to cook in your kitchen or gives you a pan to heat up.