During the holidays, one of the most challenging tasks is deciding what gifts to purchase for our parents and grandparents. They seemingly own every kitchen gadget imaginable and don't need yet another candle or mug with a humorous saying. If you're in the same dilemma of what to buy for the parents with everything, why not offer them something nourishing that saves them time? After all, time is truly the one thing that can't be bought.

Give the Gift of Time with a Meal Delivery Service

Blue Apron Meal Delivery Service - A Convenient Choice

Food & Wine has recognized Blue Apron as the top meal delivery service for easy planning. With prices ranging from $8 to $12 per serving, it's significantly more affordable than ordering in or buying premade meals from the grocery store. In addition to its meal kit delivery service (which was tested), Blue Apron also offers premade frozen meals that only require reheating.You have the flexibility to customize the number of meals per week and the number of servings per meal. As a single cook, I chose the three-meal, two-serving plan to have leftovers for freezing. Not only did I avoid grocery shopping during the week of the kit delivery, but I also cooked fewer meals the following week. Moreover, I didn't have to worry about meal planning as I simply relied on Blue Apron's weekly menu.In my view, one of the greatest advantages of Blue Apron is that there's no overbuying of groceries or wastage of produce as the ingredients are pre-portioned. (Some ingredients do require prepping, such as grating cheese for the recipe.) The recipes are also relatively easy to follow. When the shipment arrives in the mail, you'll receive all the ingredients neatly packaged together along with a recipe card for each. Among the three Blue Apron meals I tried, the broccoli and cheddar quiche was my favorite.

Blue Apron's Vegetarian Options and Considerations

As a vegetarian, I wasn't overly impressed with the plant-based options. There is a "Veggies" plan available with completely meatless dishes, but the protein content isn't always sufficient. So, I sometimes had to supplement the meals on my own. Our vegetarian meal delivery service found that Hungryroot is the best plant-based option, so I might try that next. I've also had great experiences with Daily Harvest's frozen premade pasta in the past. Despite this, you can still choose from four other Blue Apron plans: Chef Favorites, Wellness (nutritionist-approved recipes), Family Friendly, and Fast & Easy.

Who Benefits from Blue Apron?

Blue Apron is ideal for anyone who wants a convenient meal on the table quickly and easily, including those tough-to-shop-for parents. It's also beneficial for those who work late and don't have time for complex weeknight dinners, those who don't live near a convenient grocery store, those looking to order takeout less frequently, and couples or roommates who want to explore more cooking. Meal kits are especially helpful during hectic times. Growing up, my mom, who always managed to get a homemade meal on the table every night, relied on a meal delivery service when my grandma was staying with us to recover from surgery. I can also see these being useful during the holidays when you need to serve a crowd quickly.Currently, you can get 50% off the first four weeks of a new Blue Apron subscription. My deal-loving parents are sure to be pleased.

Explore Other Meal Delivery Services and Kits

In addition to Blue Apron, there are other excellent meal delivery services and kits to consider. HelloFresh offers a great variety of meals. Hungryroot provides unique plant-based options. Home Chef is known for its delicious and diverse recipes. Daily Harvest offers convenient frozen premade pasta. Green Chef also has its own range of offerings. These services can all help you find the perfect meal solution for any occasion.