Where should I order my turkey from?

[NoMoreWineForMeThen]

Sorry if this has been asked a million times already!

We are hosting Christmas this year for the very first time. I'm quite excited and would love it to turn out just like the TV adverts that are being discussed on another thread (not likely knowing my rabble of a family but I can dream can't I). Anyway, the big question is where should I order my turkey from? I'll be cooking for 12 adults and 3 children so it needs to be a good sized bird.

Also (and sorry if this is a really silly question) but when do you all arrange to collect your turkeys? Would I collect it on Christmas eve?

Oh and bugger it, while I'm annoying you with silly questions I may as well ask another... What do you serve when everyone arrives? I'd like to have some champers (well cava) and canapés but something that is extra easy to prepare as I'm likely to be a tad stressed with cooking the main meal I'd imagine!

Thanks!

If you've got a good butcher, I'd go there. Ours are taking orders now and you go in on the 23rd or 24th to pay and pick up (they are open from 6.30am). 12lbs (5kg) serves 8 - 11 I think so you'll need a hefty bird - or you could supplement with a turkey crown as well.

You could do smoked salmon blinis to have with the fizz.

Don't get stressed cooking the meal. Steamers are great for veg as you can do lots and they don't take up much room (an electric one won't take up any hob space). Buy the tin foil baking trays so you can bin them after - one of the turkey, one for the spuds. Get all the stuffing balls, sausages, devils on horseback pre-made (your butcher might do these too). Buy your carrots batoned already and sprouts prepared. And some ready made fresh gravy just in case by the end of the cooking you have either lost the will to live or are too pissed to care

I'd second your local butcher. Ours is great and will help you order the right size... And provides excellent sausages & bacon too. I'll be picking mine up on the 23rd myself this time tho as last time I sent another relative they came back with somebody elses order - right size turkey but almost everything else was different.

I agree with local butcher. I'm picking up our big chicken and some bacon on 23rd. They have a website, might be worth checking your butcher's if they have one. A good tip for extra turkey if you can't get a big enough one is to buy a rolled breast joint to cook with it, you'll have lots of breast meat for those who will only eat that.

Actually, we do have a very good butcher nearby so I'll pop in there. See I'm glad I asked as I was thinking of a local supermarket but the meat from this particular butcher is always great. We dont go there all the time as he's more expensive than the supermarkets (of course, you get what you pay for!)

I'd like to collect on 23rd for peace of mind. Could the turkey be left at room temp until Christmas morning or is that dodgy? Mum always keeps hers in the garage but we don't have one.

Have you got a car? You can always leave it in the boot as that would be cold enough. Personally I wouldn't leave it at room temperature.

We had geese from a local farmer last year (we do a big Christmas!). It was very expensive and absolutely gorgeous. We haven't decided what we're doing yet this year.

Yes I do have a car, that's a good idea!

We've left our Turkey in my son playhouse in the Garden. Only overnight and covered. There are no cats around our way though.

Our local village butcher told me he is cutting his prices this year in order to compete with the supermarkets so you might get a better deal than you think!

Mind you our butcher is fab. He does a weekly meat pack of pound of sausage, pound of Bacon, 2 large chicken breasts, pound of mince and pound of stewing steak for a tenner. Can't beat it :)

Local butcher, definitely. Talk to them about how many you are catering for and they will advise what size to buy.
I collect mine on Christmas eve, then leave it overnight in the porch which is unheated.

I get ours from our local butcher and (like all his meat) it is always lovely.

Go in and ask soon, though - you have to order ahead at ours and the list is always full by the start of Decenber

You must get your order in as soon as. You may need to leave a money deposit to secure your order. Our butcher had to do this as they had dozens of uncollected orders a couple of years ago. Who on earth forgets they've ordered a turkey and where from?!

I was graciously informed that as I am a regular I don't need to leave a deposit!