Pies
Pumpkin pie. rez-art/iStock
When you should start cooking: The day before Thanksgiving.
Pies may be the last dish that you'll eat on Thanksgiving, but they can be one of the first menu items that you prepare. Baking pies the night before Thanksgiving is an easy way to get ahead and avoid stress on Thanksgiving day.
"The oven space on Thanksgiving is the number one commodity," Holzman said.
Since pies require precious oven space and very specific temperatures, it's best to prepare desserts ahead of time.