If you want to do more elaborate entertaining, hire a high school student to help you prepare, serve and clean up. Or if you really want to treat yourself, hire a caterer. For large traditional family gatherings, have everyone bring a dish to pass. It takes some of the pressure off you because everyone shares in the preparation. And allow your guests to help.
People feel a part of things if they participate.
Ask someone to pass hors d'oeuvres, serve drinks, and carve the turkey. You provide the ingredients. Fondue is a special dinner at our house. The kids and adults love it. And because it takes time to cook and eat the meal, there's plenty of time for conversation.