Thanksgiving is at once both the most complicated and simplest holiday of the year.

It's the most complicated because it is a travel and logistical nightmare. Think about it. Everyone celebrating needs a turkey. They’re also all sitting down to eat in the same four- or five-hour window of time, with all guests at the table at said appointed time. For that to happen, a lot of people have to travel at the same time as a lot of other people. It’s not a pretty sight, especially along the Northeast Corridor.

The food isn't any less complicated. Everything from rolls to stuffing to salad to turkey has to be ready to serve at the right moment within that same narrow timeframe. All in all, it requires a lot of planning, patience and flexibility.

It also requires a travel strategy worthy of Hannibal—you know, the Carthaginian military commander who went over the Alps with the elephants? Given the state of the travel industry, it may even require a travel strategy that would leave Hannibal in awe. Flying is more heinous than usual as Thanksgiving approaches. The last few times I tried Amtrak there was standing-room only. Driving—why not just walk along the car tops! It’s not easy to get somewhere— anywhere—on Thanksgiving. And yet we make our way as lemmings to the sea. That’s why I believe the receiving home should make it worth the trip.

This in turn requires a serious shopping strategy, especially if you’re like me and inevitably race to the store at the absolute last moment. I always mean to be on top of things and get there sooner, but honestly, there aren’t enough hours in the day for the regular things. Add a holiday into the mix and we’re talking serious overtime. Still, I manage to get it all together in the nick of time and, to be honest, racing the clock adds a sense of adventure to the entire enterprise.

This year is a big one in my house. This year I’ll be delighted to have all three of my kids home at the same time. They’re all on the same continent this year, which has been exciting enough in and of itself. Now they’ll all be at the same table—my table—and in my house for a long weekend. I know. They’ll spend most of their time sleeping. But they have to eat sometime! I’ve got the refrigerator and pantry stuffed with everything but the star of the meal—the turkey.  Worst case, we’ll eat something else on Thanksgiving and get a turkey by Saturday. I don’t care, because for me, the only essential for Thanksgiving is a thankful heart. That’s one thing that absolutely does not require a strategy.