Thanksgiving can be an especially enjoyable time for families to get together, enjoy a sumptuous meal, and relax for a long weekend. But anyone who has hosted such a get-together knows that it can be stressful to get everything in order before the big day.

If you can avoid leaving preparations until the last minute, you should be able to complete quite a few tasks related to Thanksgiving before the holiday arrives. Doing so will give you more time to kick back and join in the festivities instead of getting stuck in the kitchen all day.

Most homeowners are in the habit of doing a thorough cleaning of their home before guests arrive, and this is certainly a prudent step to take during Thanksgiving preparations. Vacuum the floors, wipe down countertops and other surfaces, and remove clutter from the rooms. Lisa Kaplan Gordon, writing for the National Association of Realtors' home improvement site HouseLogic, says you can bag up loose items and store them in areas such as basements and car trunks if space is at a premium.

The home doesn't need to be completely spotless, and guests might even be uncomfortable if the setting is too immaculate. Kerrie Kelly, writing for the real estate site Zillow, recommends setting a casual feel through a few touches such as newspapers on the coffee table to put guests at ease.

Focus some additional cleaning efforts on places guests will visit frequently. Gordon says the front door is the first thing visitors will see, so polish its handle, oil its hinges, and consider repainting it if need be. Buff scratches out of hardwood floors and surfaces, put a welcome mat in place, and make sure there is enough room for guests' coats.

Make sure the home is safe for your guests, particularly young children. Anne Reagan, writing for the home improvement site Porch.com, says viewing the home from a low height can give you an idea of places that may pose a risk to toddlers. Secure cabinets that contain dangerous materials, add babyproofing to table corners and other sharp edges, and cover up exposed outlets.

Gordon says there should be proper lighting both inside and out, such as motion activated lights to illuminate the walkway and nightlights to guide guests in dark hallways. It is also a good time to test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they are functioning well.

Some advance planning can eliminate a hectic decision-making process closer to Thanksgiving. Ronique Gibson, writing for the interior design and architecture magazine Freshome, suggests that you can decide on a table setup in order to set aside the necessary tablecloth, silverware, and other materials.

Now is also a good time to decide what dishes you will prepare for the big meal. Look through cookbooks or websites for ideas, coordinate with your guests if you are planning a potluck supper, or arrange to have a catered meal if you want to avoid cooking. Some dishes can be prepared in advance and frozen, then thawed out before your guests arrive.

The kitchen will be a focal point during the holiday, but you will also need plenty of space to move around as you prepare the turkey and its fixings. Gibson says you should know whether the food will be served at the table or from places around the kitchen. If the room is too small to accommodate guests, make sure other rooms are set up to welcome them with hors d'oeuvres to ward off a grumbling stomach.

If your plumbing is finicky, schedule a visit from the plumber before the holiday. Reagan says there is plenty of demand for plumbing repair after Thanksgiving, so it might be easier to call in advance to clear out your drains and pipes. Let guests know about any plumbing issues, such as the need to take short showers due to a slowly draining tub.

The garbage disposal is often overused on Thanksgiving, and separating your will help keep this component from breaking down. Put aside food scraps in a compost bin, grease in a can to solidify, and garbage and recycling in separate containers.

Make sure the bathroom is stocked with all of the materials to accommodate guests. Gordon says toilet paper, toothpaste, and other essentials should be stored in an easily visible location. The room should also have a bathmat and plunger in place.

If you have guests staying overnight, any extra bedrooms should be prepared as well. The sheets, blankets, and pillows should all be clean and made up. Kelly says you can also add a basket of items such as towels, soap, and a razor.

Preparing in advance will help ensure that you aren't scrambling to complete all of the holiday tasks on the day itself. This will give you more time to meet with family and friends and savor a good meal.