Frozen needs to be defrosted for about 4 days in the fridge. Fresh is good to go. Buy either about a week out. Make sure you remove all the giblets and neck. (that was my mistake with my first one). You can buy a complete Turkey dinner from many places around and that might be easier.

If you are making the Turkey generally everyone brings their favorite dish. So ask whoever is coming to bring something and try to coordinate so that you don't end up with 6 stuffings and no veggies.