After you identify your menu, it’s great to walk through and allocate a dish for each item: a larger platter for the turkey, a bowl for mashed potatoes, a gravy boat, etc.   My aunt who used to host elaborate and enormous dinner parties taught me to label each dish with a post it note and to set them aside a few days before cooking begins.  It’s just one of those tasks you can take care of ahead of time which makes the whole experience easier.  

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Of course this is a more flexible year so it’s less applicable.  With smaller households and intimate gatherings, surely your plates and regular bowls will suffice. 

Still, if you already have a collection underway, this is a great opportunity to use it, and if you don’t, here are some of my favorites: