Every bird needs a home and a Thanksgiving turkey is no exception. Whether it's a traditional platter, a tray with a lip or a bamboo board, the golden turkey should always be presented with panache.

"The turkey is the star, and the trick is to have the platter complement the turkey," Food Network design director Wendy Jane Waxman said.

One thought, Waxman said, is to settle the bird on a large serving tray, modern or vintage, with a lip to contain the juices.

"The big square or rectangular chargers are ultra modern, especially when they're very colorful," she said. "Not everyone serves a big turkey. If you're serving just a small turkey or a breast you can use a brightly colored plate; the meat will look browned on it."

Waxman's favorites include white ceramic platters, some with a silver or gold band, colorful Italian platters and sustainable bamboo wood cutting boards with a juice well.

"Turkey platters can be great conversation pieces," she said. "They're something wonderful you keep in the family. They become pieces of art and can be hung on the wall."