Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and now is the time to start planning your holiday meal to avoid the last-minute scramble. Thoughtful preparation over the next three weeks can simplify your cooking, keep costs down, and allow you to enjoy more time with family and friends.

**Create Your Menu** Start by drafting your Thanksgiving menu. Focus on a few standout dishes to reduce workload and expenses, and take into account any dietary restrictions among your guests. If you're hosting, don’t hesitate to ask attendees to bring a dish — most are happy to contribute.

**Make Desserts Early** Some elements of your menu can be prepared well in advance. Baked goods such as cookies can be baked now, cooled, and stored in moisture-proof packaging in the freezer. Similarly, cakes and fruit pies can be baked and frozen up to a week ahead. For optimal freshness, frost cakes and assemble pies after they've thawed. Note that cream pies and meringue desserts do not freeze well and should be made the day before serving.

To prevent soggy pie crusts, brush them with beaten egg whites before adding the filling, and use a bit of extra cornstarch or flour in fruit pie fillings to improve texture. Pie shells can also be baked days ahead and stored.

**Prepare Dressing Early** If your menu includes dressing or stuffing, you can get a head start by baking and crumbling bread now. Store it in high-quality freezer bags or containers for easy assembly later.

**Assemble Casseroles in Advance** Casseroles, another holiday staple, can be prepared ahead of time, refrigerated, and baked on the day of the meal. Budget for an extra 10-15 minutes of cooking time if they're baked straight from the fridge.

**Plan the Day Before** The day before Thanksgiving, focus on setting up and organizing. Ensure all plates, utensils, and glasses are ready, and press your tablecloth or napkins if needed. You can even set the table early if the space won't be used.

Prepare items like salads, cranberry sauce, vegetable trays, and relishes in advance and store them in the refrigerator to maintain quality. For beverages, you can set up a coffee station with cups and condiments so it’s ready to go.

**Enlist Help** Don’t hesitate to involve others in your home during these preparations. Delegating tasks to children or other family members can further ease the workload.

**Try Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls** One crowd-pleasing option you can tackle ahead of time is dinner rolls. Prepare and freeze them for up to four weeks, then let them rise and bake on Thanksgiving for a warm, fresh addition to your table.

By starting now with a clear plan, this Thanksgiving can be a relaxed, enjoyable occasion for both you and your guests.