Ah, Thanksgiving. A time to gather, to share, to, well, give thanks.

However, “thanks” isn’t the first word you’ll hear the hostess mutter when she’s elbow-deep in a giant turkey, trying to extract the giblets at 4 a.m. And that’s hours before the ingrate cousins arrive, whacking each other on the head with their new PSPs.

Feeding a crowd of relatives is stressful – and expensive – enough. Setting the table shouldn’t have to be. All you need are a few timeless (as in, turkey-free) pieces and a little creativity.

One-stop shopping can be a real boon this time of year. For instance, at Ingrid’s European Imports on Buck Street in Bangor, you can grab gorgeous disposable paper napkins and place mats (perfect for the kids’ table but stylish enough for grown-ups), a dried floral centerpiece that will last you through Christmas, and a farm-fresh turkey. It doesn’t really get much easier than that.

Ditto for Filene’s, which has everything but the gobbler. Calphalon roasters are only $29.99, and that’s before coupons. Hipsters can pick up sleek glass plates in autumn orange from House Beautiful and pair them with plain white dishes and serving pieces. Traditionalists will love the pumpkin-shaped pie server and the rustic fern-green leaf plates.

I’m wild about the pumpkin-shaped soup tureen from Linens ‘n’ Things, which also has my favorite all-season standby – inexpensive open-stock white plates. So does Bed Bath & Beyond, where you can also find a ridiculous promotion on roasting pans – $9.99 after rebate. Fabulous finds abound at T.J. Maxx ‘n More, as well. At all of these stores, you can pick up everything you need, again, minus the turkey.

The best deal in town can be found at World Over Imports, which has place mats, napkins and other table linens for 98 cents apiece – perfect when you’ve got 20 people coming for dinner. I also like World Over’s elegant jewel-toned martini glasses. You may need these when the cousins arrive.

All joking aside, when family is in town, it’s nice to add a special touch. Whenever I’m looking for something special, I head to The Grasshopper Shop, and Thanksgiving is no exception. My favorite offering is a burgundy tablecloth with an orange and green tiger lily print by April Cornell – seasonal without the obvious turkey or pilgrim theme. The squirrel place card holders are adorable, and the glass and wrought-iron candle holders are substantial enough to serve as a centerpiece but short enough that it won’t block anyone’s view.

A great table will give your mother-in-law one fewer round of ammunition. But in the end nobody will really care whether your dishes are mismatched or whether you ditched a bouquet and decided to use the bird as your centerpiece. All your family will remember is the good food and great conversation, and they’ll give thanks. Except the cousins, that is.

We have a winner!

Gloria Aurelio of Winterport will soon receive a Kohl’s purse full of goodies. She won the ShopGirl giveaway, in which readers were asked what store Bangor needs next.

Aurelio’s answer? “My No. 1 choice would be a Body Shop. I love their products and they are so globally responsible. But everyone else would say the Christmas Tree Shop.” She was right. The Christmas Tree Shop was the overwhelming winner. Big Lots, L.L. Bean, Chico’s and Banana Republic all had a respectable showing, as well pulling in a respectable amount of votes, as well. Thanks to all who entered, and look for a new contest in several weeks.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.