What’s that old adage? A workman is only as good as his tools? Well, the same can be said about a cook. Having the proper tools to cook your holiday turkey and all the sides can make the difference between cooking an unforgettable meal and a meal you wish you could forget. Now, let’s get down to basics.

To cook a perfect turkey, you need a good quality roasting pan. Some pans can set you back as much as $200. In reality, your turkey will properly roast if you cook it in an open roasting pan with a wire rack. Pick up an Oneida Carbon Steel Roasting Pan with Rack. $35 at target.com

Once you’ve got your turkey in the oven, the trickiest part of cooking it is making sure it's not over or undercooked. And since the breast and the thigh need to reach different temperatures for perfect doneness, an instant read thermometer is ideal. The Mini Instant Read Thermometer does the job, plus it doesn’t take up too much room in your drawer. $15 crateandbarrel.com

Turkey without gravy is like salt without pepper. It just doesn’t work. To make a savory gravy without it being too oily, a gravy strainer is just the thing. Pour off all the pan juices into the strainer once the turkey is cooked. The fat and turkey juices will separate, ensuring flavorful gravy. Try the OXO Fat Separator and Gravy Strainer. $15 at amazon.com

To make perfect mashed potatoes, chop fresh herbs or whip cream to top off a pumpkin pie you don’t need to invest in a ton of space-cluttering, pricey kitchen gadgets. The good people at Cuisinart have designed an efficient small appliance that blends, chops and whips and takes up only a few inches in your cupboard. The Cuisinart SmartStick Hand Blender comes with three attachments and packs a punch with its powerful 200-watt motor. $50 crateandbarrel.com