Sure, we’re thankful for friends, family and a daylong feast where we count courses instead of calories.

But, here at PlumParty, we’re extra thankful for the little things that make Thanksgiving entertaining a piece of cake. Uh, we mean, pie. Pumpkin. Warm and à la mode. With maybe just a sliver of apple. Might as well throw some pecan on there while you’re at it. Okay, so we’re easily sidetracked. Back to business for a trauma-free Turkey Day, we rely on these Thanksgiving standbys.

PlumParty is thankful for…

WINE
It makes dad’s corny jokes funny and guarantees no one will notice if the turkey’s a little dry. Try pairing specific wines with each course: something light with the hors d’oeuvres, something full-bodied to stand up to the meal, and something sweet to go with dessert. Chill whites in our gold and red wine coolers. Give guests wine charms or beaded wine glass adornments so they can keep track of their stems throughout the evening.

PAPERGOODS
“Paper” being the operative word. Who needs to spend the entire day after Thanksgiving loading and reloading the dishwasher? Handsome papergoods like our gold dinner plates and harvest napkins sacrifice nothing in style and buy you a spa day on Friday.

FOOTBALL
Your brother is a vegan chef and your mother-in-law is sporting leather pants and a fur coat. Avert political debates by getting everyone to yell at the TV. If your Thanksgiving traditions include football (TV or touch), pre-game for dinner with chocolate footballs and football-shaped serving dishes full of snacks.

CANDLELIGHT
Everyone looks better in it. Dim the lights and embrace the season with candles shaped like gourds, pumpkins and apples. Or, for an elegant and modern look, choose ivory candles in varying heights and sizes.

POTLUCK
Just because the dinner’s at your house doesn’t mean you have to do all of the work. Ask each guest to bring a favorite Thanksgiving recipe. Keep the meal on track by assuming turkey duty and assigning guests to hors d’oeuvres, greens, potatoes and desserts. For a pulled-together presentation, transfer guests’ offerings to coordinated serving pieces try our stylish, sturdy and environmentally-friendly Bambu Veneerware collection.

NATURE’S BOUNTY
…because it makes Thanksgiving decorating so darn simple! For indoor/outdoor ambiance that is warm and inviting, layer beaded orange placemats with decorative objects that look like they came from your own backyard. If your backyard happens to be lush woods, you’re in luck. Gather pinecones for centerpieces and pretty leaves to use as placecards. If your backyard is Apt 4B, fake it with our twig runners and leaf confetti. For rustic and homey centerpieces, tuck our pinecone holiday garland into our rope and copper votives.

SWEET GOODBYES
One of our favorite Thanksgiving moments is that time when the last guest leaves and we can finally kick off our heels, undo our top button and sink deep into a delicious food coma on the couch. Send guests packing with a sweet memento of your gathering: almond and cherry crackers or milk chocolate turkeys for them to gobble, gobble, gobble on the ride home.