* Five days before: Plan the menu and the place settings, table decorations and center pieces.
Plan the system and decide whether guests will fill their dishes before going to the tables or whether you will have serving bowls on the tables, which is more work.
Ask someone to say the meal prayer.
* Three days before: Check your ingredients against the menu to make sure you have everything.
* One day before: Make some foods in advance so you can just heat them.
Peel potatoes and put them in cold water in the fridge. They will stay fresh if you want to make mashed potatoes.
Make your pies and desserts.
If you don't have a portable oven, borrow one for the day so you can bake or heat different foods at the same time.
* The night before: Set the table. Have salt and pepper shakers in place and fill the butter dishes.
Get someone to help with setting up another table if you need one, and bringing in the chairs.
* Christmas day: Be ready to serve guests a beverage when they arrive.
When someone asks how they can help, have them cut cakes and pies into servings. People won't cut an uncut pie to serve themselves.
* At dinner: Ask guests to hold hands for the prayer, if it is your tradition.
* After dinner: If the women have cooked, the men can clear the table after dinner.