Are you feeling some holiday stress this Thanksgiving? Between trying to get things done at work to make time for the holiday break, cooking, hosting or traveling to see family, and possibly dealing with family friction, you may find yourself wondering if all the effort is worth it.

If you're feeling the holiday stress, take some time for yourself and recharge, even if it's just a quick walk outside. Spending a few moments just reflecting about the positive things in your life can do wonders for your outlook and your ability to handle holiday stress. And try these holiday-stress relief tips from Elizabeth Scott, MS, About.com's guide to stress management. Happy Thanksgiving!

Got turkey on your mind and thawing in the fridge? As I shop and chop and bake and prepare for the big day, it gives me some comfort to know that I am not the only one who is stressing about whether or not the turkey will come out perfectly done or dry and mealy this year.

Each November and December, the people manning the turkey tips hotline run by Butterball, the nation's most popular turkey brand, field as many as 100,000 calls from people -- as many as 12,000 on Thanksgiving alone -- asking about everything from cooking temperatures and thawing techniques to how much stuffing they should use.

Here are a couple of examples of more amusing turkey situations reportedly handled by the people at Butterball, according to an Associated Press story:

If, like me, you are suffering from a bout of pre-turkey anxiety, check out these tips and recipes from About.com's guide busy cooks, Linda Larsen.

This Thanksgiving, try to take some time to give to families in need before you sit down to dinner with your family and give thanks for the things you have in your life.

Fueled by rising unemployment and an economic downturn, an estimated 49 million Americans -- including nearly 17 million children -- lived in households that experienced hunger or reduced-quality diets last year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Economic Research Service. That's an increase of 36 percent over the USDA estimates released last year, says Feeding America, the leading hunger-relief organization formerly known as Second Harvest.

Feeding America estimates that the real numbers of hungry Americans are even higher. In their own recent study, Feeding America found that nearly every food bank they surveyed reported an increase in requests for emergency food assistance in the past year, with demand for aid increasing in some areas as much as 150 percent.

Before the holiday hubbub starts, take a look in your pantry to see if you have canned food or other non-perishable foods such as pasta, rice, crackers, peanut butter, and canned juice and donate it to Feeding America or a local food pantry. You can even host a pantry-food party and ask guests to bring food for donation, or just set up a collection bin on your porch or doorstep for people to drop off food at their convenience.

When you help other families, you will not only feel more appreciative of your blessings, but you'll be setting an example for your children to follow.

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As you shop for your turkey -- or if your family is vegetarian, Tofurky -- and all the other food you'll need for your Thanksgiving feast, you might wanna include a trip to the local toy store if you don't have some great family board games to break out when your family gets together.

Grade-school age kids are developing verbal, math and logic skills, and are able to really begin to play and enjoy board games. Even younger grade-schoolers can have fun with "junior" versions of classic board games such as Scrabble Junior and Wit's End Junior.

So instead of just turning on the TV when your family is gathered together, let your grade-schooler have fun playing educational board games with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and whoever else is around. Having the whole family play together will give your kids a chance to go up against new opponents and give your family a chance to spend some time together while having fun.