When should you buy your turkey? And other Thanksgiving questions, answered

There’s no magical timeline for when you should buy your bird, but the earlier you pick up your frozen turkey, the better. Depending on their size, turkeys can take anywhere from two to eight days to defrost in the refrigerator, so you want to be sure to buy them at least that far in advance, if not sooner. How to plan the rest of your Thanksgiving shopping will depend on your schedule throughout the month of November. Buy dry goods (like stuffing mix and flour), canned goods (such as broth or canned green beans) and other non-perishable items whenever you have a chance and spot a good price at your local grocery store. Fresh items, like vegetables and herbs, should be purchased the week of Thanksgiving.