Are you dreading the thanks­giving dinner with all the family dynamics?

Why?

It’s just food and family. There’s nothing more wonderful.

If there’s too much tension going on, dial it back. Dial back your expec­ta­tions of the meal, dial back everyone’s contributions.

Are you prone to the “if i don’t have this side-​​dish, it’s not Thanks­giving” syndrome? Remember that you can make side dishes another day. You can visit other fami­lies another weekend. Don’t consign thanksgiving/​Thanksgiving to a single date. Eat and be happy with the people you love. And if you can’t be there, set up the camera and skype. Let your fami­lies be together, wher­ever they are!

Tip: consider making Thanks­giving a cele­bra­tion for which you are grateful. Beau­tiful table settings, family recipes, family time — these are not things we have too much of in our lives. So instead of thinking about the possible horrors, move into pollyanna mode (anyone remember who she was?) and start being grateful. Have a blessed day, my friends! (and here’s a NY Times article about what you can learn from Turkey Day at home.)