Problem

You want to buy the right size turkey, but you don't know how many pounds you need for the number of guests you're going to have.

Solution

If you need only enough turkey to make it through Thanksgiving dinner, buy 3/4 to 1 pound per person.

If you want enough leftovers for the long weekend, buy 1 1/2 pounds (or slightly more) per person.

If you need a large turkey, consider buying two 10- to 12-pound birds and roasting them side by side. Small turkeys cook (and defrost) much more quickly than supersize ones, and they tend to stay moister.