The annoying crux of Thanksgiving day is planning the day's eating schedule. Unless you have the willpower of a God, chances are you have to eat something before the turkey platter hits the table. Breakfast might be fine, but what about the handful of hours before the feast?

As a child, my Thanksgiving job was taking cream cheese, suffocating it in garlic powder, and spreading it in the grooves of celery for a mid-day snack. It kept me busy and helpful, and would've quenched my appetite if I had liked celery back then.

On the big day, try that or one of these nibblets: vegetable and fruit platters with dipping sauce, fresh-popped popcorn, marinated and pickeled foods like olives and onions, the classic shrimp with cocktail sauce, small caprese salads, or edamame. For some specific tasty recipes, click on the gallery below.