If your household is hosting Thanksgiving this year and your mother is anything like mine, you will get asked to do a million things to help prepare Thanksgiving dinner. Peel this potato, stir that pot, find the good dishes — the list goes on. Sure, you might get Friday and Saturday to laze around, but that does not make turkey day any less brutal. All you want to do is sleep in and watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” but you can’t with the constant hassling. Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered with some tips on how to survive preparing for Thanksgiving by doing the least amount of work possible while still pleasing the main cook (mom, dad, grandma, whoever).

1. Set the table

I know this seems like children’s work, but snag this job early and it can play to your advantage. You can take your time making sure the dishes are clear of any watermarks. Get down until you are eye-level with the table to make sure every utensil is lined up just right. And to get extra fancy, fold napkins into little pockets for the utensils to go into. Don’t be afraid to check YouTube for the best ways to do it. The main cook will be impressed, and when your siblings ask why you’re watching television instead of helping chop carrots, you can just point to the table. No words necessary. Once the magnificence of your table is seen you are sure to be excused from all other duties.

2. Make the salad

Preparing the salad is one of the easiest things you can do on Thanksgiving. All you really need is some lettuce, tomatoes and maybe some carrots. Add some bell peppers, croutons and salt and pepper if you’re really feeling in the spirit. It’s nearly impossible to mess up. Now remember, slow and steady wins this race. Make sure you rinse that lettuce thoroughly. Run every slice of tomato and carrot under the sink. Then arrange everything just right on top of the lettuce to make your food into art. Gently lay the slices of tomato on top of your bed of lettuce. Sprinkle the other ingredients one by one, making sure everything is equally spread out. The better it looks, the more effort it will look like you put into it.

3. Make the supply run

We all love our families, but a chance to get away from our crazy/judgmental aunts and uncles? Yes, please. Be sure to obey all speed limit laws when on the roads. A posting of 35 means going 35 on Thanksgiving. Call the main cook to make sure you are getting exactly what is needed, sending pictures as necessary. And if you’re unsure of which brand to buy, feel free to examine each label carefully, using your algebra skills to determine the better buy. And bring some of your cool cousins along. A second, third and fourth opinion is always helpful. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, shop around. Gas prices are below $2, people. You can afford it.

4. Stay in the kitchen

This tip is especially valuable if there is only one person doing most of the cooking. Even just staying in close proximity to the cook can make you seem like you’re doing work when you’re not. If there is just a single cook, he/she will appreciate the company. You won’t have to sneak tastes of your favorite food because when you’re in the kitchen the cook will be more likely to ask your opinion on how the dishes taste, asking you to suggest what it may be missing. Sitting in the kitchen looks a whole lot better than sitting upstairs playing video games.

I can’t promise you a great Thanksgiving even if you follow all of these tips, but they may make things a little easier. Remember: take it slow, make it pretty and stay near the cook. Happy Thanksgiving, and you’re welcome.