A house filled with people you don’t really like, arguments over whether it’s better to baste or brine, and gang of kids asking every 10 minutes “Is dinner ready?” — it’s a recipe for your standard stressful Thanksgiving.

But this day doesn’t have to be all bad. Here are a few fun tips to help you get through it all.

1. Take off

Go on vacation. Leave the state, or country, and go someplace where Thanksgiving is not celebrated. Example: Turkey (pun intended).

2. Stock up

Raid every liquor store within a two-mile radius of your house. No matter how many people you invite, make sure you have enough spiked Egg Nog to last the evening.

3. Location, location, location

There is no rule that Thanksgiving festivities have to be held at your house. You can choose anyplace to celebrate. So why not pick a spot that’s enjoyable for all? They do all the work while you sit back, relaxed. Example: Chuck E. Cheese’s. (Yes, they really are open on Turkey Day. We checked.)

4. Double up

For some people, Thanksgiving is the only time of the year to see certain family and friends. No other holiday brings relatives out of the woodwork like Thanksgiving. So why not make it even more special by combining holidays? How does a Thanksgiving-Halloween party sound? Not only do the guests have to come dressed as their favorite Thanksgiving character, but also carry around a bag to have food dumped into. The laughs you get from that will relieve you of any stress that has piled up.

5. No football?

If you’re a football fan, don’t watch your team play on Thanksgiving. Nothing creates stress quite like watching your team get beat down by 30 points after you have gorged on half a turkey.

6. Alternative meal plan

If your house has become the unofficial headquarters for Thanksgiving every year, that means you are doing all the hosting, cooking and cleaning up afterward — usually by yourself. The quickest way to change of the routine and get someone else to host the family gathering is to suddenly change your diet right before the holiday. Send out an extensive e-mail to your entire family that includes the vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free menu you will now be serving for Thanksgiving. Then count the minutes until Aunt Sue volunteers to make turkey for everyone at her house instead.