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When Jack and I were first dating, I was a social machine. I was forever throwing parties and cooking for big groups of people. With my door-is-wide-open policy, the holidays were out of control at my house. I invited everyone who wasn't flying home to be with family to come for what I called Refugee Thanksgiving. I tended to get lots of people who either didn't have a family to go home to or who were estranged from theirs -- and together we'd reclaim the holiday (fist in air).

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T-minus six days 'til Turkey day. Time (for me) to start thinking about the holiday. So while most people are rolling up their sleeves to mash the potatoes and stuff the bird, I’m preparing to roll the pinecones and sprinkle the leaves. In glitter, of course. Setting the table. Yep, that's my job.

Here’s the Turkey Day division of labor: My parents’ host the gang of 30. My mom prepares it all: from the antipasto to the apple pie. (We party Italian-style with apps, soup, ravioli and then the bird and trimmings.My brother breaks out the DVDs for the under age five contingency and babyproofs the house.

Me? I get table duty. The mission: Make the table(s) look different from the year before. Sidenote: my biggest (and loudest) critics are showing up for dinner.

This year I’m all over the place with palette and DIY details. (Check out the items I'm working with. Please note these are only a glimpse into my decorating madness.) Oh, yeah, and this is only part one. Stay tuned for Monday when I throw even more elements onto the tablescape.

Got any ideas for me? Send them before Thursday. And if you’re hosting…show your tables off. I’ll share mine, too.

Credits clockwise from top left: dye cut leaves, Paper-Source.com; apothecary jars, Save-On-Crafts.com; styrofoam balls, Michaels.com; flatware, Macys.com; linen stitch napkins, PotteryBarn.com; plaid runner, PotteryBarn.com; gold glitter, Save-On-Crafts.com; taper candles, ColonialCandles.com

Toe the line. Offering help is a nice gesture -- one your husband will appreciate -- but you don't want to look like you're trying to take over another woman's kitchen. If his mom declines your help when it comes to food, offer your services in other areas, like setting the table or keeping her grandkids busy while she's trying to get everything out of the oven and onto the table.

Okay, now really, have you ever tried peeling potatoes for 15 people? It's a nightmare. My take is this: Offer to do the dirty work. You know, the washing, the peeling, the chopping. You'll get to spend some quality time with his mom without her feeling like you're trying to go for the grand prize: basting the turkey. Oh, and don't forget to ask for the recipes after dinner -- she'll gobble it all up.

What's your take? To help or not to help?

Thanksgiving is the kickoff for one of our favorite holiday-season traditions: Baking. It's a great way to get everyone involved in the prep for all those big family dinners. We've rounded up some of the best tools, tips, and recipes to make this year’s baking endeavors your best ever. So stock up on flour and preheat that oven!

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