Making a perfect Christmas dinner is not always easy. If you are expecting the in-laws, the kids are running amok, and Aunt Bessie's telling you how she likes her turkey, it can become pretty stressful.

Organization is the key. Make a menu of everything you will be cooking. Then, if there are any items that can be made ahead, prepare them first. There are too many things to do to be baking pecan pies when the turkey needs to be in the oven. So make your pies ahead of time as well as any salads or gelatin molds. You can also peel the potatoes the night before and put them in water. Also, get your sweet potatoes ready to put in the oven.

Plan for your turkey to come out of the over about two hours before you want the meal on the table. That gives you time to bake the last minute things, like sweet potatoes and rolls. You can use frozen vegetables instead of fresh, saving you hours of preparation time.

It depends on what your family consists of, but if there are small children, they can help with things like setting the table, helping make desserts, and even with some of the cooking and baking. If your family is grown and married, then each one could bring a dish and make it less work for the host.

Remember, whatever you do, you are making family memories, so make them good ones. Everything doesn't have to be perfect to be good. Merry Christmas!