Decorated sugar cookies, homemade gingerbread, mince pies, stollen…food preparation for holiday celebrations is a delightful way to celebrate the season. However, if you are traveling with your treats, you must be able to transport your food so that it remains as beautiful, safe and delicious as when you made it at home. When traveling, foods can move around, making them look less appealing when you arrive. You also don't want the food to spill all over your vehicle or in your carry on. Holiday travel is stressful enough to add this messy and frustrating situation to the mix.
Don’t fret! There are options to make sharing holiday treats easier. Firstly, there are some fantastic containers available that make transporting foods easier. On the market are insulated containers that keep foods warm or cold. Many of them include a cover that zips up around them like a suitcase complete with handles. If traveling by car, consider putting these items in a box to further limit their movement.
When transporting food for the holidays, exercise extreme caution about food temperature. You certainly do not want to make Aunt Beatrice or Cousin Fred sick as a result of food poisoning. If your travels will be hot or you are traveling a long distance, avoid foods that spoil quickly, such as mayonnaise-based potato salad or shrimp cocktail. Be prepared for inevitable holiday travel delays as this can result in the food remaining in your car or plane for hours longer than you had anticipated.
A second option is to ask the host of the holiday gathering if you can prepare the foods when you arrive. Bring all of the ingredients and prepare them without having to worry about them shifting or spoiling. If your dish requires refrigerated items, you can ask the host pick them up for you and pay for them later. This is much easier than attempting to fight your way into a crowded grocery store during the holidays or discovering that they are closed.
Another option is to bring foods that are not as temperature-sensitive and are a little sturdier. Some options include stollen, fruit cake, breads, and popcorn. And finally, you could also have a local baker to deliver or even an international company to ship holiday foods to your final destination. While not homemade, these items still bring joy and delight to any holiday celebration. Chocolates, baked goods, and sweets are just a few ideas of what you could have sent.