Everything You Need to Ace Thanksgiving

The countdown has begun: Thanksgiving is officially two weeks away. If the thought of the impending feast has you freaked out — fret not — we have a week-by-week, day-by-day countdown guide, plus all the recipes, cooking how-tos, decorating ideas and entertaining tips you'll need to be the consummate holiday host. So take a deep breath and get started with these six tasks; you'll be sitting as pretty as pumpkin pie come Thanksgiving week.

Tara Donne, 2009, Tara Donne
As our Thanksgiving Countdown Schedule tells you, it's time to finalize your number of guests, order your turkey(s) and start picking your recipes. Browse through our Turkey, Sides and Dessert recipes — and don't forget the Appetizers! Try something new this year: a stuffing or dressing recipe with a Southern twist, out-of-this-world butternut squash, cranberry sauce that's most definitely not canned, the sweetest apple desserts you've ever tasted and even some seasonal cocktails to complement your meal.

Adrian Mueller, 2012, Adrian Mueller / AMueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
First time roasting? Seeking better brines? Head over to our Turkey central to get our 10 tips for cooking the perfect turkey, a brining lesson from Alton Brown, a step-by-step guide on turkey-carving, a lesson on gravy-making and more how-tos to keep you from getting twisted in twine.

Ed Anderson, 2011, Television Food Network, G.P.
No matter how seasoned you are at hosting, or how long you've been planning for T-Day, something is bound to go wrong. Brush up on our quick fixes to face every kitchen disaster:
- 5 Ways to Save Your Turkey
- Stovetop Side Dishes for when the oven's still occupied
- Delegate tasks & more Top Tips for Prepping Sides
- Make Fast Dessert Recipes in a pinch
- Save those lumpy mashed potatoes
- More Fixes for Thanksgiving Disasters

Marshall Troy, 2012,Television Food Nerwork, G.P. All rights Reserved
Do you have all the cooking equipment and utensils you'll need to prep everything from the turkey to the pie? Flip through our gear guide to make sure you're ready.

Marshall Troy, 2012, Cooking Channel,LLC All Rights Reserved
Whether your style is rustic, modern or traditional, we have table decorating ideas and amazing tips on DIY decorating and making your own centerpieces. (And don't forget the kids' table.)

Our favorite food bloggers and stylists share what inspires their Thanksgiving table and menu choices, including their family traditions and unique stories.
Want more? Visit our complete guide to Thanksgiving: