I couldn't agree more. Unless it's deep fried, a whole turkey seems to be one of those things that people eat out of respect for tradition but wish that it were anything else. But the sides are another story, usually the star of a Thanksgiving meal.

For a smaller group, if you must have turkey, consider roasting a turkey breast. I've done that for 3 people in the past. But I fully support breaking from tradition. This year our Thanksgiving is with my in-laws, and we've agreed no turkey. My mother in law is still deciding, but I'm guessing beef.