Gather with Ease: Fresh Prep Holiday Meal Stories
Holiday meals have a way of slowing us down. They invite us to pause, savour something delicious, and spend time with the people who matter. At Fresh Prep, we believe holiday meals should feel comforting and effortless. Our chef-crafted offerings elevate the holidays, no matter how or where you celebrate.
We asked three Fresh Prep team members to share how they bring warmth, ease, and delicious food into their homes during the holidays. Their stories remind us that every gathering, big or small, deserves care.
Meet Shawna: Hosting made easy
“Being the holiday hostess is a role I hold near to my heart.” – Shawna (Experiential Marketing Manager)
Shawna has always been the friend who opens her door first. Her home fills with the smell of baking, friends dropping off gifts, and little conversations happening over steaming mugs in the kitchen. She loves the ritual of hosting, from choosing the menu to setting the table. What she does not love is the long grocery trips and the stress that sneaks in when she is juggling everything at once.
Fresh Prep has become her way of protecting the joy in hosting.
“It lets me save my energy for the moments that matter. I can tidy up, light a candle, and actually look forward to people arriving.”
Her favourite way to make hosting easier is to order the Holiday Turkey Bundle. It delivers everything she needs for a festive Christmas dinner, including a turkey roll with rich gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry and pistachio stuffing, sticky toffee pudding and more. Each dish offers a delightful twist on a holiday favourite, and with less prep, she has more time to welcome her guests with a full heart.
Meet Jackie: Preparing intimate meals at home
This year looks quieter for Jackie (Director of Business Development and Partnerships) and his wife. After a busy fall filled with work deadlines, social events, and family obligations, they realized they had no big travel plans and a much lighter holiday schedule than usual. At first, they wondered if the stillness would feel empty, but now they are grateful for the slower pace and the chance to focus on each other.
“I’m actually looking forward to a slower holiday where we can just enjoy being home together,” Jackie says.
To make the season feel special, they pick a new dish from the Fresh Prep Holiday Menu each week and turn it into a small celebration. Sometimes they sip their favourite bottle of wine, play festive music in the background, or simply enjoy the quiet together, letting the flavors of the food do the talking. As a novice cook, Jackie appreciates the step-by-step instructions, and pre-portioned ingredients that make it easy to create meals that feel gourmet.
For Christmas Eve, their shortlist is already forming. They are excited to try the Beef Tenderloin Roast, Roasted Root Vegetables, and the Sticky Toffee Pudding Kit. These meals have helped transform what could have been a quiet, ordinary season into a series of meaningful moments.
“Cooking together has been such a simple way to make the season feel special,” he says.
Rachel: The Potluck Charcuterie Master
Rachel is the kind of person who brings energy into every gathering. She works on our design team, has two kids under ten, and somehow still manages to show up to family events with something beautiful to share. But elaborate appetizers are a challenge when the little ones need snacks, toys, and attention all at the same time.
“Charcuterie has been a game changer for holiday potlucks.”
At first, she tried building her own boards, but between choosing ingredients and keeping kids entertained in the grocery store, it became overwhelming. Then she discovered the Shareable Holiday Charcuterie Kit. It arrives fresh and pre-portioned, and she can assemble it while her toddler rests on her hip.
“It takes minutes, and it looks like I spent so much more time on it. My family thinks I have become some kind of potluck hero.”
This year, she is also excited to bring the Pistachio Tiramisu Kit and Ready-To-Bake Mini Sausage Rolls to different gatherings. For her, Fresh Prep means less rushing and more time to enjoy the holiday magic with her kids.
Make Holiday Cooking Easy With Fresh Prep
From hosting a full Christmas dinner to planning a quiet night in or bringing something delicious to a potluck, Fresh Prep’s holiday meal kits help you slow down and savour the moments that matter.