To ease holiday stress, set your dining room table forthe big Thanksgiving dinnerseveral days before the big day.

But how do you go about choosing the right plate, spoon, or wine glass?

Take a look at our expert tips below and you’ll be theultimate host this holiday season.

table setting with patterned plates and tablecloth

Credit: Carson Downing

Feel free to remove any items for a less formal table.

Customize your Thanksgiving table setting with your favorite dishes and decor.

You might, however, want to use them if your family has a designated kids' table.

Table setting with white pumpkins

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Messy eaters can ruin a tablecloth with gravy grease stains or drips of cranberry sauce.

If you’re using fine china, be careful when setting the plates on top of each other.

Carson Downing

Step 3: Assemble the Napkins

Use cloth napkins for a formal holiday setting.

Close up view of four place settings with blue napkins and hand-crafted acorn napkin rings

Credit:Carson Downing

Or, fold them in a fun shape and center them on your plate.

Another option is toroll napkins into napkin ringsfor a festive accent.

Step 4: Arrange Silverware

you could’t eat Thanksgiving dinner without silverware!

Natural Beauty leaf name rag

Credit: Carson Downing

Whensetting your knives and forks, there are a few basics to keep in mind.

First, forks always sit on the left side of the plate.

For formal dinner prefs, you’ll need a full set of silverware that includes two forks.

The spoon should be placed last next to the knife.

verify all utensils are aligned with the bottom of the plate for uniformity.

You should also provide each guest with a glass of water.

Whichever you choose, double-check it matches your plates in color and style.

For a thoughtful addition, makeDIY place cardsor menus that everyone can take home as a favor.