We have put together lots of great menus for your Thanksgiving meal. But if you feel like venturing out on your own, here are seven steps to designing your own menu. Then use the Definitive Guide to to the Best Thanksgiving Recipes to choose your dishes. Need more menu and recipes ideas? Head over to the Festive Entertaining message board.

1. There are so many possibilities for dishes to serve. Start by answering these three questions that will narrow your choices down to a manageable number.

  • How much time do you have?
  • Do any of your guests have special diets or allergies?
  • Is there a family favorite dish that must be on the table or it just won't be Thanksgiving?

2. Then, think about taste, texture, temperature and color. The best meals incorporate dishes that complement each other and mix various tastes, textures, temperatures and colors. An example of this, on a small scale, is a crisp green salad, hearty chicken noodle soup and warm bread.

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