Turkey (or Tofurkey) Day is upon us, and if you wanna be the hostess with the mostest you’re gonna have to bring your A-game. Here are some surefire ways to ensure your guests come a-flocking this year, with a Thanksgiving day spread that’s bound to impress.

1. Save your sanity. Don’t be a hero this holiday; have your favorite folks pitch in to help. This will alleviate the stress on your mind and your money. You can take care of the staples (turkey or Tofurkey, salad, bread) and then challenge your guests to get playful with the sides, like gourmet mac and cheese or sweet potato fries.

2. For starters. Football and apps. Apps and football. They go hand-in-hand, but they’re not all equal. Try this Spicy Cajun Popcorn and Nut Mix for an easy, low-cost treat for game day:

Toss 8 cups of popcorn in a large bowl with 1/2 cup each of toasted and coarsely chopped pecans and peanuts. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave 1/4 cup of butter on HIGH until melted, about 30 seconds. In another small bowl, blend together 1/4 teaspoon each of dry mustard and garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Drizzle butter over popcorn and toss well with the spice blend.

3. Get sauced. For dessert, that is. Skip the predictable pumpkin pie and kick things up a notch with Dark Chocolate Rum Balls (alcohol infused anti-oxidants – now were talkin’!) I love this recipe from my pal Martha: www.marthastewart.com/351250/rum-balls

4. Snap it old-school. Invest in a new Polaroid camera for instant fun! You can nab one at Target, now on sale for $49.99. While you’re at it, pick up a blank scrapbook so that friends and fam can paste their photos in with a note from their time with you. A modest investment if you consider capturing those unforgettable snapshots in time. Or send them home with your guests with funny captions as a little parting gift.

5. Give thanks. Have everyone write down one thing that they’re thankful for on a Post-It (bonus points for using festive stickies!) and try to guess who’s is who’s. You might be surprised what other people value…fine, even if it is just the great Cyber Monday sales coming up.

Alycia Lane is a morning news anchor for the L.A.- based NBC station.  A multiple Emmy, Edward R. Murrow and Golden Mic award winner, she has worked on-air in other major TV markets such as New York, Miami and Philadelphia – before landing in the City of Angels.  Her other passions include yoga, cooking, baking, interior design and all things domestic.