With Halloween in the rearview mirror, Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for the gathering of friends and family to celebrate life and blessings. One of the first things to do is -- don't wait! It's already November, and planning for a large party of family members to come over is time consuming. Waiting until last minute increases the odds that things don't go according to plan. So to get started, make a to do list! This can include getting a guest list, making a menu, and planning any decorations or cleaning that you need to do.

Here's a few tips to get ready to host Thanksgiving dinner at your home.

Five Tips to Get ready for Thanksgiving

1) Make a Guest List

One of the first things you should do is make a guest list. Sure, you probably have a small group of people that come to every Thanksgiving, but it's a good idea to confirm your guests considering the travel restrictions in place around the country. You also may have consider having a bigger gathering with friends and family, or some people who might show up for only dessert. Either way, it's a good idea to have a guest list ready so that you know what to expect.

2) Make a Menu and a Shopping List

Food is a priority at Thanksgiving gatherings, so make it one of your top priorities on your list of to dos. Since you've already got an idea of how many people are coming for Thanksgiving dinner, you can reliably plan your main courses and side dishes. Write the menu then hit the road and go to the grocery store. Shop early and thoroughly, and get the ingredients you need so that you can prep without missing any.

3) Clean Up the House

As with any gathering at your home, it's a good idea to clean up the space. Dust and vacuum the living room, hallways, and kitchen, and clean up the guest bathrooms. If you have front and back entryways that are dirty, you can hire a company to soft wash or pressure wash the exterior of your home and clean up the curb appeal. If your lawn is in bad shape, it might also be a good idea to mow and trim any brush that is over grown.

4) Set Up Thanksgiving Decorations

If you haven't already, it's a great time to set up your Fall decorations. Fall wreaths, pumpkins, lighting, any of your fall decor, now is the time. Set up beautiful entryways into your home, with scented candles in the house to make your guests feel great about Autumn. Might be a tad too early for Christmas decorations, but a few wouldn't hurt if you're the type to start setting up Christmas before Thanksgiving.

5) Prepare for Overnight Guests

If you have family coming in from out of town, you might be hosting guests for the night after Thanksgiving. Now is a good time to clean up and clean out the guest bedroom and closet. Wash the linens, vacuum, and ensure that everything is ready for your guests so that you don't have to stress about it after everyone arrives.