When your Thanksgiving guest list keeps growing, it's time to share the cooking.

Divvy Up the Menu

Give non-cooks a chance to participate by including categories such as beverages, paper products, or decorating. You should make the turkey, stuffing, and gravy.

• Ask non-cooks to bring the flowers, wine, and candles or other items to decorate the table.
• Pick someone prompt to bring the hors d'oeuvres. You don't want your appetizers arriving just in time for dessert.
• Guests who work full time can prepare a dish that they can make ahead of time and freeze.
• Relatives who want to help but need something easy can do some of the shopping for you.
• Let your guests help with the cleanup. Cleaning up can be fun -- some of the best conversations happen in the kitchen.

Behind the Scenes

• Ask guests to let you know ahead of time if they'll need refrigerator, oven, or range-top space. Unless your group is small or you have lots of counter and oven space, discourage all but the simplest last-minute preparations.
• Remind guests to label their serving dishes and utensils. Every regular potluck participant can tell about losing the lid to a favorite plastic bowl or discovering that the only casserole dish left on the table is not the one she brought.
• Be prepared with extra serving plates, bowls, and spoons in case someone forgets.
  

Setting the Table

• If you're hosting potluck Thanksgiving at home, don't attempt to serve all the food from one table.
• Place desserts on a table separate from the tables holding main dishes and side dishes. Locate beverages in another area.
• For the most convenient self-service, arrange the buffet so diners can serve themselves from both sides of the table. Lay out the table in logical order: plates at one end of the table for guests to pick up and load with food, and the eating utensils tucked inside napkins at the other end to grab once their plates are full.