Alternative Thanksgiving

It's November 2!!!  How can this be??  To me, once November hits, the year just flies by, however, this whole year has flown by so I'm not sure what to think about the next two months. 

As November arrives, it also means it is time to start the holiday preparations.  This year, we are celebrating Thanksgiving with Brandon's family but we are celebrating the day after.  While I won't be hosting the official Turkey Day meal, I will be hosting part of the family on Thursday and I want to prepare a fun alternative Thanksgiving meal, but I need help thinking of what to do.  Below are the specs for the day:

• Small gathering = 5 people
• Want to do as much prep ahead of time
• Could be a themed meal
• Not opposed to using my china, however, the thought of hand-washing all of my dishes for just 5 of us is not so appealing
• Football will be on TV
• Thinking of doing a brunch around 10 so we don't have to plan three meals that day

I've thought about doing an Italian meal since I could do a lot of prep ahead of time (enter Grandma's lasagna recipe).  I've also thought about doing heavy appetizers and having a sampling of treats, but that seems like more work.  Because I love to cook for a crowd and entertain and I still want the day to be special, I wouldn't mind making something different and unique, either.  Oh decisions, decisions! 

Has anyone else ever prepared an alternative holiday meal? Any new (to me) recipes out there that I need to try?  Any tips for a stress free day?