12 Things You Should Never Do on Thanksgiving

We're in the home stretch heading toward Thanksgiving and gearing up for the holiday isn't just about getting in the mood for turkey and mashed potatoes. There are some unspoken rules revolving around Turkey Day that should be revered, including this list of things you should refrain from doing on the holiday.

Life happens, and most dinner hosts will understand if you end up not being able to make it. But if there is even a sliver of a chance you will attend Thanksgiving dinner, let the host know you'll be there so they can plan accordingly. And this should go without saying, but don't pop up at a Turkey Day shindig you weren't invited to to begin with.

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If the host of your holiday dinner has planned everything down to the last detail and spent the better part of their day cooking a big turkey dinner, that person deserves to enjoy that meal with people they want to share the table with. Bringing someone who wasn't invited or approved in advance is a monkey wrench you're better off not tinkering with.

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In every family, there is always someone (and sometimes more than one someone) who is habitually late. If you know you're that person, convince yourself that dinner is earlier than it is and get yourself there in time for the festitivites, especially if you're bringing a side dish, which removes the option to just go ahead and eat without you. 

If your Thanksgiving dinner host is counting on you to bring green bean casserole and you show up with a pumpkin pie instead, you're more than likely going to be the least favorite guest of the evening. 

Unless you've preapproved this with the cook ahead of time, it's best to bring an already-complete and ready-to-eat dish to Thanksgiving dinner. The host might not have room in the oven or their pool of patience to tackle cooking anything else.

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Whether you're hosting or attending, planning ahead on Thanksgiving is the way to go. From a host's perspective, planning your menu and the day's events will help keep you organized and more stress-free (we can't guarantee an entire absence of stress). As a guest, if you have more than one dinner to attend or you're charged with bringing a dish to pass, it's important to keep yourself on somewhat of a schedule.

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Do yourself a favor and throw a couple of salads and chilled hors d'oeuvres onto your menu for Turkey Day. It'll free up some room on the stove top and in the oven, and leave room for some day-before prep work.

Don't veer off the beaten path on Thanksgiving. Stick to the classics and stay close to what you know. If it doesn't make sense to eat with turkey, don't bring it. Plain and simple.

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Even if you know that everyone at the dinner table has the same political views as you, it's still not good table talk. If there is one surefire way to get people riled up, it's talking about politics, and Thanksgiving is not the time for getting riled up. 

It's easy to get swept away in the festivities of Thanksgiving and swing for the fences when it comes to planning your menu, but getting too carried away creates a breeding ground for mishaps and mistakes. It's okay to experiment a little, but try and reign your culinary creativity in as much as possible to ensure cooking goes off without a hitch.

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You might think you have the mustard-to-mayo ratio for deviled eggs down pat, but that doesn't mean the dinner host wants you to weasel your way into the kitchen and start mashing yolks up. If your help is welcome, offer it, otherwise, be a good guest and take a seat.

But the host said they would cook everything! We know, we know. Just bring flowers or a bottle of wine. Something to show your appreciation for the meal. 

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