Do I really need to order a turkey in advance?

[User16529834]

This year we are hosting and there will be 12 of us in total. 3 kids 9 adults. I really want it to be fun for everyone including myself (I'll be cooking) so I actually want it all to be fairly low key. I want to avoid over buying and getting things for the sake of it - eg we won't have sprouts cos nobody ever eats them. We usually buy them 'just because' but not this year!

9 of us will be eating turkey. 7 adults and 2 kids. The kids are 7 so eat a decent portion but not a whole adult sized one.

What kind of turkey do I buy, and do I really need one in advance? My only non negotiable is fresh not frozen. I have hear crowns are easier to cook? Ideally I want something really easy but also tasty. I've seen a few that come ready to roast in a bag.

Apparently I need a 3kg one but I'm assuming that's a turkey not a crown. It all feels unnecessarily complicated 😱 please tell me I can just go get on on the 22nd?

I like the look of this but will it really serve 8? Will that be enough?

www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/butter-basted-turkey-breast-in-a-smoked-bacon-lattice/561154-79472-79473

I'm not fussed about leftovers. I'm happy to have a bit but won't be doing more than a few sandwiches so would rather not have loads.

Any advice from seasoned mnetters who have hosted larger groups before. We've never managed to get both sides of the family together before!

I always go to Aldi a few days before Xmas and they have lots of free range turkeys - I have found them to be delicious. If there are none this year due to avian flu, chicken it is.

I debated a long time and in the end ordered as usual from Marks and Spencer. I was going to freeze one but couldn’t get the size I needed . Largest crown allegedly feeds 12-14. I am very slightly anxious that it won’t turn up and as a a contingency put a small piece that feeds 2-3 in the freezer. Party of 8 (3 children) and only 3 of the adults will care if the turkey appears. We also have a chicken that comes cooked each year. My children assure me the turkey is probably already well dead ( not from bird flu) and will appear as usual.
I also do a ham which I bought yesterday as the date was fine on it.
so yes I’d order just in case fresh is not available as late as you want it given the current situation.

This is me; usually on the 23rd or 24th. Always turkeys in. And tbh if there isn't, I'd just get beef. But they always have them in.