Thanksgiving is a time to eat those traditional favorites, like the beloved green bean casserole, but it also is a time to enjoy hanging out with friends and family. Why not find your way out of the kitchen and into the family room with the rest of the gang this year with some time-saving Thanksgiving party ideas?

One thing you may want to try is buying a precooked Thanksgiving dinner from your local supermarket. Besides the turkey, these dinners usually include the basic side dishes, such as that all-important cranberry relish Uncle Dave has to have. With these dishes out of the way, you'll be able to concentrate on cooking one or two family favorites and then spend the rest of the time enjoying your family.

A slightly more expensive option is to head to a local restaurant to pick up a take out Thanksgiving meal. If you do choose to do this, be sure to call at least a week before to find out what you need to do. Double check the restaurant hours, since some of them may close early for the holiday.