If you listen in on Test Kitchen conversations, you’ll hear the editors say that Thanksgiving is our Super Bowl, our World Cup, and our Fashion Week. For food people, it’s the culmination of a year’s worth of prep, planning, brainstorming, and, as my colleague Hana Asbrink describes, Post-it Note–filled recipe scrums. But I wouldn’t call it stressful.

We look forward to basking in the day’s many gravy-soaked superlatives. We delight in stories that showcase celebrating family, friendship, and community while giving guidance for making the most of the holiday season. Of course, it’s a busy time, but it also brings so much joy.

I revel in the little tasks that make the day feel even more special, like sorting my china patterns and silverware, checking napkins for grease stains, and sending table linens to the cleaners for some extra TLC.

I’ve never really bought into Thanksgiving Day angst. I find the shopping stress and pressure-packed meal planning to be exaggerated myths perpetuated by pop culture.…