festive meal kits

Some of the treats this season (Picture: Côte/allplants/The Habour Cafe)

The festive season is essentially an entire month of brilliant food and lashings of fizz.


And it’s a lot easier when most of the hard work has been done for you.


So there’s never been a better time to order food delivery boxes and meal kits – especially when lots of restaurants and delivery companies are laying on a plethora of festive treats. 


Whether you want to take the hassle out of the big day itself, or hosting during the festive season in general, there are all kinds of seasonal goodies to feast on.


We’ve rounded up some of the best:


Gousto




Turkey Christmas Dinner

Ready in less an an hour (Picture: Gousto)

The food delivery service has launched a Christmas dinner in a box for this year – which can be ready in less than an hour. 


The Gousto Christmas dinner box – which can be for two people, or for a family of up to five – is available to order now with first delivery on December 11 and the last on Christmas Eve.


Pick from a turkey dinner with all the trimmings or a pistachio nut roast with all the veggie extras. 


From £25.98 if you order a two-person box, gousto.co.uk


Côte




Côte at Home mushroom

Some of the plates (Picture: Côte)

Choose from either a traditional turkey or vegetarian feast with Côte at Home’s Christmas boxes – both come with all the trimmings, such as spiced red cabbage and garlic Brussels sprouts.


But perhaps the best part is the fact they can be ready in just 30 minutes – so you can spend more time with loved ones, instead of in the kitchen. 


Dessert is also covered with a layered meringue torte with praline cream, chocolate sauce and edible glitter.


£84.95 for turkey box and £49.95 for the vegetarian one, coteathome.co.uk


Aktar Islam




cured meats

An entire Christmas roast plus starters and desserts (Picture: Getty)

Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam’s Christmas feast kit is a great option for those wanting something other than turkey this year. 


It’s made up of a selection of cured meats, terrines and homemade bread – followed by a beef roast dinner and must-have accompaniments.


If that wasn’t decadent enough, fine cheeses, petit fours and homemade choux buns are also included in the meal kit.


From £275, aktarathome.co.uk


José Pizarro




Jose pizzaro box

Go Spanish instead (Picture: Jose Pizzaro)

Spanish chef José Pizarro is offering a hearty ox cheek and roasted pepper paella with tapas over the festive period. 


Smaller plates include patatas bravas, padrón peppers and chicken croquetas – and these can be enjoyed either before or alongside the main.


From £55, dishpatch.co.uk


allplants




allplants festive box

Go plant-based (Picture: allplants)

More and more people are incorporating plant-based food into their diets, whether it’s as a vegan or a climatarian


If this applies to you, meal delivery company allplants has given festive classics a plant-based twist with their Christmas menu – with a mushroom and ‘pancetta’ filo pie, glazed sprouts with ‘bacon’, truffle cauliflower cheese, and an indulgent chocolate peanut fondant.


All simply dropped on your doorstep, ready to be heated at home.


Also, for every box sold throughout December, allplants will make a donation to charity Choose Love.


From £40.50 for single portions, allplants.com


Thrive




thrive box

Tuck in (Picture: Thrive)

If turkey isn’t your thing, an indulgent steak box from Thrive could be just the ticket. 


There’s a roast rib of beef box with all the festive trimmings, including a Yorkshire pudding, Brussels sprouts and spiced cabbage – priced at £16.25 per person.


From £95 for four to six people, thriveboxes.myshopify.com


Wild Honey St James 




wild honey hamper

A seasonal hamper of goodies (Picture: Thomas Alexander)

Wild Honey St James is offering three different festive hampers throughout December – packed with everything you could possibly need for the holiday season. 


They feature a selection of culinary delights, including a bottle of Wild Honey’s signature negroni, homemade honey, charcuterie, cheese and more.


From £199, wildhoneystjames.co.uk


The Harbour Cafe 




festive feast box

A seafood platter (Picture: The Harbour Cafe)

The Harbour Café is doing things a little different this year, with a festive box that features seafood delights, rather than traditional goodies. 


Great British Menu’s Amy Elles has put together a pescatarian box for Christmas Day, which includes freshly caught and organic produce – with small plates including trout caviar blinis and mini crab cakes paired with a chili jam. 


The star of the show, however, has to be the Scottish langoustines with aioli and lemon. 


From £60, www.theharbourcafe.co.uk


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