Holiday Meal Delivery: Your Stress-Free Guide

The holidays are a time for celebration, but the hustle and bustle of preparing a big family meal can often feel overwhelming. That’s where holiday meal delivery services come to the rescue. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a large feast, these services offer a stress-free way to enjoy a delicious holiday dinner without the hassle of shopping, cooking or cleaning up.

With options ranging from traditional turkey dinners to gourmet holiday spreads, meal delivery services take the pressure off, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the season with loved ones. Plus, many companies allow you to customize meals to suit dietary preferences, ensuring everyone at the table is satisfied. Learn how to order holiday dinners through Instacart, tips for hosting a successful holiday meal, commonly ordered products and more.

How to order holiday dinners through Instacart

In just a few simple steps, you can have a fully prepared holiday dinner delivered right to your door. From American Christmas food to Swedish Christmas food, Instacart has it all!

1. Create or log in to your Instacart account: To get started, create a new Instacart account or log in to your existing one. You’ll need to provide basic details, such as your name, email, phone number, password and location. Once logged in, you can save your home address and even create shopping lists for future use, making the ordering process even quicker.
2. Search for prepared holiday dinner meals or products and add them to the cart: Use the search bar to find holiday meals by entering terms like “holiday dinner,” “Christmas dinner” or “Thanksgiving meal.” You can filter results by prepared meals, specific ingredients or dietary needs to find the perfect options for your gathering. Add your selected items to the cart once you’ve found what you need.
3. Choose a delivery option: After you’ve added your items, choose the delivery option that works best for you. Instacart enables same-day delivery for some products or scheduling for a future date. You can also select a convenient time slot to ensure your meal arrives fresh and ready when you need it.
4. Check out and pay: At checkout, you can review your order and choose a payment method. Instacart accepts credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and more.
5. Track your order: Once your order is placed, you can easily track it using the Instacart app or website. You’ll receive real-time updates, including when your shopper begins picking up your items and an estimated delivery time.

Keep an eye out for promotional codes or weekly flyers that can help reduce the cost of your holiday meal. Also, enable notifications to receive updates about your order, including any substitutions or delivery changes.

Commonly ordered holiday dinner products

When it comes to creating the perfect holiday meal, many turn to Instacart for easy access to festive favorites. From classic proteins to seasonal sides and desserts, find everything you need to complete your holiday table. 

Whether you’re looking for Spanish Christmas food or cozy winter cocktails, here’s a list of popular items you can order for your holiday feast.

Holiday dinner protein:

• Turkey
• Ham
• Prime rib
• Roast chicken
• Salmon
• Duck
• Lamb
• Pork tenderloin

Holiday dinner side dishes:

• Stuffing
• Mashed potatoes
• Green bean casserole
• Cranberry sauce
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Sweet potato casserole
• Gravy
• Mac and cheese
• Glazed carrots
• Cornbread 

Holiday desserts:

• Pumpkin pie
• Pecan pie
• Yule log cake
• Holiday cookies 
• Fruitcake
• Apple pie
• Cheesecake
• Chocolate truffles
• Bread pudding

Highlight seasonal and specialty items:

Holiday beverages:

• Wine (red, white, sparkling)
• Beer 
• Eggnog
• Hot chocolate
• Apple cider
• Sparkling water
• Holiday-themed sodas (cranberry, ginger ale)
• Winter cocktails (mulled wine, hot toddy kits)

• Gingerbread houses
• Candy canes
• Advent calendars
• Charcuterie board essentials (cheese, cured meats)
• Holiday-themed napkins, plates and tableware
• Festive decorations like wreaths, candles and centerpieces

Grab it now on Instacart:

Pearson's Mint Patties

Swiss Premium Egg Nog Rich & Creamy

Safeway Cookie Tray, Sugar Tree

Create a Treat Gingerbread House Kit

Smart Living Holiday 300 Clear Mini Lights String

Brach's Peppermint Candy

Lofthouse Sugar Cookies, Mini Tree

Betty Crocker Cookie Icing, White

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, Jellied

SIGNATURE SELECTS Plush Stocking, Red Velvet, 20 Inch

These are just a few of the many holiday products you can order on Instacart to make your celebrations easier and more festive.

Benefits of using holiday meal delivery services

Holiday meal delivery services take the hassle out of planning, shopping and cooking, offering a convenient solution for a stress-free celebration. By opting for delivery, you can enjoy more quality time with loved ones while still serving up a delicious, festive meal. 

Here are some key benefits of Christmas dinner delivery to consider:

• Convenient and time-saving: Skip the crowded grocery stores and long checkout lines. With holiday meal delivery, you can focus on spending time with family and friends.
• Variety of options: Choose from a diverse selection of holiday meal kits, pre-prepared dishes or even individual ingredients to create the perfect menu.
• Quality and freshness: Receive fresh, high-quality holiday meals straight to your door.
• Customizable options: Personalize your holiday meal by tailoring it to dietary preferences or special family traditions.

Tips for hosting a successful holiday meal

Hosting a holiday meal can feel like a big task, but with a little planning and preparation, it can be stress-free and enjoyable. 

Whether you’re using a prepared holiday meal delivery service or cooking up traditional Christmas food yourself, these tips will help you create a memorable and festive gathering for your guests:

• Plan ahead: Finalize your guest list and menu early, leaving enough time to order prepared holiday meals or gather ingredients for traditional dishes.
• Create a festive atmosphere: Use seasonal decorations, candles and a beautiful table setting to set the mood. Think about adding personal touches, like holiday-themed place cards or a centerpiece.
• Balance your menu: Mix pre-prepared dishes with homemade sides or desserts to keep things easy while still offering a variety of flavors.
• Serve efficiently: Set up a buffet-style meal to make serving easier, or if you’re going for a sit-down dinner, prepare serving stations so everything flows smoothly.
• Table settings: Use coordinating linens, plates and glassware to enhance the festive vibe, and don’t forget to leave room for the food!

Holiday dinner recipe ideas

Looking for inspiration to elevate your holiday feast? We have some recommendations. From traditional Christmas food to creative new flavors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the table.

• Honey baked ham
• French green bean casserole
• Cranberry brie bites
• Ground beef potato casserole
• Pumpkin cheesecake
• Homestyle lasagna
• Spiced mulled wine
• Cornish hen
• Creamy lemon butter chicken

Cheers to holiday meal delivery services

Whether you’re craving traditional dishes or something new, Instacart makes it easy to have a festive feast delivered right to your door. From turkey and ham to decadent desserts and even winter cocktails, you can create the perfect holiday spread without ever stepping foot in a grocery store.

Ready to make this holiday season truly enjoyable? Skip the lines, avoid stress and order online through Instacart to have your meal delivered fresh and ready. It’s time to relax, enjoy your company and let the experts handle the rest.

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.