During the holiday season, I tend to go a bit bonkers. It’s completely self-induced craziness though, because I am a perfectionist. Whether it’s a Halloween party or an NYE soiree, I’m there, list-in-hand to make sure everything goes according to plan. The only problem? Plans can fall apart and often do so when you least expect them to — this is especially true for DIY hosts and hostesses who are on a budget.
5 Food Subscriptions That Take the Stress Out of Holiday Entertaining
Instead of racking your brain over what appetizer to serve or what signature cocktail this year’s party (or parties) should feature, take a breath and consider letting a subscription service do the planning for you. Below, I’ve listed five subscription services that’ll take care of the apps, drinks, dinner, and dessert. So all you have to do is sit back and relax.
1. Harry & David Fruit and Cheese Club
About the Subscription: Worried that your guests won’t have enough to gnaw on before dinner is ready? Check out Harry & David Fruit and Cheese Club. Each month, Harry & David prepares a basket of gourmet cheese and handpicked fruit combinations that’ll drive your guests’ palates wild (in a good way!). November’s spread features apples and aged white cheddar.
The Cost: Prices start at $129.99 for three months. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: $50 off $199 | $30 off $149 | $15 off $99
CODE: CLUB
Visit our Harry & David Fruit and Cheese Club page to learn more!
2. Sharecuterie
About the Subscription: Sharecuterie (a play on the word charcuterie) gives subscribers the option to choose between two “graze” boxes. The small box includes two types of meat, two kinds of cheese, gourmet jam, dip, pickles and olives, crackers, and fruit. It’s the perfect size for a party of two-to-three people. The larger box includes three types of meat, three kinds of cheese, gourmet jam, dip, pickles and olives, crackers, fruit and berries, and “something sweet.” There are also gluten-free, vegetarian, and keto options available.
The Cost: Prices start at $45 per month. Subscribe here!
Visit our Sharecuterie page to learn more!
3. Porter Road
About the Subscription: Porter Road takes pride in providing its customers with hormone-free, antibiotic-free, pasture-raised beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. Subscribers can choose between the Butcher’s Choice Box ($127), Weeknight Heroes Box (two sirloin filets, two pork chops, one pack of bone-in skin-on chicken breasts, two pounds of dry-aged ground beef, two pounds of beef taco blend, two pounds of sweet italian sausage, and two four-packs of dry-aged hot dogs for $100), Best of Porter Road Box (two dry-aged steaks, two pork chops, two pounds of dry-aged beef, one pound of bacon, one pound of country sausage, and one pound of chorizo sausage for $100), Beef Box (two premium steaks, two sear-and-serve butcher’s steaks, two pounds of dry-aged ground beef, two pounds of beef taco blend, one pound of beef bacon, and two four-packs of dry-aged hot dogs for $120), Grill Master Box (two dry-aged steaks, two pounds of dry-aged burger patties, and two pounds of bratwurst sausage links for $70), or the Beef and Pork Basics Box (two dry-aged sirloin filets, two pork chops, five pounds of dry-aged ground beef, and two pounds of ground pork for $100).
The Cost: Prices start at $70 every two weeks. Subscribe here!
Here’s what our reviewer thought:
“Porter Road truly has some delicious meat. It blew away anything I could ever get locally, and the pricing was honestly not that much more than what I find myself paying at our “fancy” grocery store. As someone who could easily go vegetarian if I wasn’t married to a caveman, I feel so much better knowing that this meat came from a company that holds itself to extremely high standards when it comes to the animal’s life spans from pasture to processing. You can always tell when a chef is enthusiastic about his food and excited to make it for you, and a similar effect is certainly apparent with the Porter Road team. If you are looking for a responsible and tasty source of meat for your kitchen, do yourself a favor and check out Porter Road.” - Megan K.
Interested in subscribing to Porter Road? Check out our reviews page to learn more!
4. Red Velvet NYC
About the subscription: Red Velvet NYC is every aspiring baker’s dream come true. Each box includes two detailed recipe cards and all of the pre-measured ingredients you’ll need to make each sweet. (November’s baking kit features pumpkin pie and oatmeal cookie bars!) Customers can also opt to buy one of Red Velvet’s non-subscription baking kits.
The Cost: Prices start at $49 per month. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Enjoy FREE shipping on orders over $75
CODE: SHIP75
Here’s what our reviewer thought:
“Cookies are snacks, right? I’m that guy who hurries up and bakes before sitting down to watch something if I can spare a few minutes. My pick is the Red Velvet NYC baking subscription!” - Christen
Visit our Red Velvet NYC page to learn more!
5. Winc
About the Subscription: Winc is an affordable (and super convenient) wine subscription service. Just fill out the palate quiz and the algorithm will pair your taste preferences with four bottles of wine. If you’re unhappy with the auto-generated wine selection, you can swap them out with bottles that you know you and your guests will love.
The Cost: Prices start at $29. Subscribe here!
Here’s what our reviewer thought:
“I’ve been a Winc subscriber for many years now, and I always look forward to picking out my wines each month. I’m thrilled I was able to fill up my September box with unusual whites, and tasting my way through the wines was an absolute delight. I got to try Arinto for the first time, I nabbed an excellent food wine in the Gewürztraminer, and walked down memory lane with the Prismus.” - Lindsey Morse
Interested in subscribing to Winc? Check out our reviews page to learn more!
Looking for more ways to hack the holidays? Check out these articles:
- These 5 Subscriptions Helped Me Through the Winter Last Year
- Stress Less: Be the Best Dressed at Your Holiday Party
- The 6 Best Holiday Subscription Boxes in 2021
Is there a special subscription service you turn to during the holidays? Let us know in the comment section below!
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