Can't Make it Home for Thanksgiving? Celebrate with Friends!

• When planning a great party, timing is everything. Do as much as you can the night before (for example, arranging place settings, prepare the salad, and chill the champagne).

• Also, overestimate the time it takes to complete tasks, especially if you've never done them before. For example, if you've never made the dessert, give yourself an hour versus the recommended 45 minutes.

• Lastly, it sounds simple, but remember to have lots of fun! You’re serving your friends so don't be afraid to ask for help or admit that you're running late. They'll understand!

• Rosemary leaves add a hint of sophistication with Good Housekeeping's Rosemary Roast Turkey. At over 2 hours, the cooking time for the turkey is long, but gives you lots of time to prepare a couple of easy side dishes.

• Try Skinny Mashed Potato and a Mixed Green Salad with Pears and Pecans, both from Good Housekeeping, and fresh baked dinner rolls (Pillsbury® Oven Baked Dinner Rolls taste homemade).

• For dessert, try serving up Epicurious' no-bake Chocolate Mousse.
  

• Make up for your lack of cranberry sauce with delicious Epicurious' Cranberry Champagne Cocktails. The recipe's a quick and simple three-ingredient concoction

• Or, if you and your friends want a drink that warms your insides when its freezing outside, try a Hot Buttered Rum Cocktail from The Food Network.

Thanksgiving decorations are all about the table, so with a few bouquets of flowers and tasteful place settings, your home is ultra-festive in no-time.

• Keep your home embellishments simple and tasteful with small bouquets of traditional fall flowers at the dinner table. We love the November's Blooming Plant from 1-800-Flowers.com. The beautiful berry and gold mums blend wonderfully with the natural colors of your Thanksgiving feast.

• For table settings, go for complementary colors of berry, hunter, gold and the like. These Berries Placemats from Crate and Barrel would be a great option. Coordinating Hoop Napkin Rings work to set off the rich colors.

• And a cream or berry tablecloth accented with a matching a matching Berries Runner will complete your table.