Honey Baked Ham is a popular pre-cooked ham sold by HoneyBaked Ham stores and online. With its sweet glaze and moist, tender meat, Honey Baked Ham makes an easy and delicious centerpiece for holiday meals and gatherings. But how far in advance can you actually purchase one of these hams? Here is what you need to know about buying Honey Baked Hams ahead of time.
Up To 30 Days In Advance
The good news is that HoneyBaked Ham stores will let you order hams up to 30 days in advance of when you need them. This applies to hams that you buy directly in the store as well as ones you order online and pick up at your local HoneyBaked Ham location. So if you know you need a honey baked ham for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another occasion about a month out, you can go ahead and place your order and not have to worry about it being available when you need it.
Why 30 Days?
HoneyBaked Hams are pre-cooked and cured, meaning they are safe to eat cold without additional cooking. The curing and cooking process helps preserve the hams so they can last for weeks in the refrigerator without spoiling. According to the HoneyBaked Ham website, their hams have a shelf life of 120 days when properly refrigerated. So with a 30 day advance order window, the hams are still well within their prime when you go to pick them up or have them delivered.
Online vs In-Store Ordering
You can order hams for advance delivery through the HoneyBaked Ham website or mobile app up to 30 days ahead of time. Online orders are convenient, but you will pay a shipping charge unless you choose to pick up at a local store. Purchasing your ham in person at a HoneyBaked store lets you avoid shipping fees. But the 30 day rule applies either way.
Ordering for Holidays
Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter are extremely popular times to enjoy HoneyBaked Hams. As these holidays approach, stores often sell out of hams completely. That is why it is highly recommended to place your holiday HoneyBaked Ham order as far in advance as possible. The 30 day window gives you plenty of time to make sure you have a ham before supplies run out.
How Far in Advance for Other Occasions
While you can technically order a HoneyBaked Ham up to 30 days ahead for any occasion, most people reserve this for major holidays. If you are buying a ham for a more casual get-together like a birthday or anniversary, you probably only need to order 7-10 days in advance. This ensures it is reserved and ready for you without having to freeze it for too long before using.
Picking Up at the Right Time
Once you have placed your advance HoneyBaked Ham order, you will choose a specific date and time to pick it up from the store. Make sure you select a pick up date as close as possible to when you actually need it. The hams will only stay fresh for 5-7 days in your refrigerator, so you don’t want to take it home too far in advance. Store it properly, and it will stay delicious until you are ready to serve it.
Storing Your Ham
Freshly sliced HoneyBaked Ham will last about 7 days stored properly in the fridge. Leftover ham slices will keep for 3-4 days. An uncut half ham can be refrigerated for up to 10 days. Be sure to wrap your ham tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator where it is coldest. Once cooked, ham should not be left out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours.
Can You Freeze Honey Baked Ham?
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of HoneyBaked Ham if you won’t be using it right away. An uncooked ham can be frozen for 1-2 months without losing quality. To freeze, first wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap or freezer paper. Then place it inside a freezer bag or foil to create two layers of protection. Be sure to squeeze out excess air before sealing. Thaw in the fridge before reheating to serve.
Ordering Hams Shipped to Your Home
In addition to picking up hams at local HoneyBaked stores, you can choose to have your order shipped directly to your home. Shipping is available for orders placed on the HoneyBaked website or app. Your ham will arrive chilled, but not frozen, so you need to plan to use it within 7 days or freeze it yourself for longer storage. There is a shipping fee based on weight, starting at around $15.
Home Delivery Time Frame
HoneyBaked Hams that are shipped generally take 2-3 business days to arrive from the time you place the order. So be sure to factor in additional transit time if you need your ham by a certain date. For example, order at least 5 days ahead if you need the ham for a weekend gathering or holiday. During peak seasons like the holidays, give yourself even more leeway in case of shipping delays.
Catering Platters for Events
For large gatherings and special events, consider ordering a HoneyBaked Ham platter through the catering service. You can feed up to 30 people with the large deluxe ham platter. These platters come fully decorated with fresh garnishes and can be customized with salads, sides, and desserts from their catering menu.
Catering platters require 48 hours notice when ordering for delivery or pick up. So if you are planning a big event, make sure to get your order in at least 2 days in advance. You will need to specify the exact date and time for delivery, as well as provide directions for the location if needed.
HoneyBaked Ham Sizes
HoneyBaked offers hams in a variety of sizes to suit gatherings of all kinds. Their classic bone-in hams come in three sizes:
- Half Ham (serves 12-14)
- Whole Ham (serves 20-24)
- Double Ham (serves 40-50)
They also offer spiral sliced bone-in and boneless hams, petite boneless hams, ham steaks, quarters and slices. Take a look at the full range of available sizes online and choose the one that best fits your group.
Ham Glaze Flavors
HoneyBaked Hams are known for their signature glaze made with honey, brown sugar, and other natural flavors. In addition to the original glaze, you can also choose from these mouthwatering options:
- Applewood Smoked
- Brown Sugar
- Champagne
- Cherrywood Smoked
- Cinnamon
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Praline
- Spiral Sliced
- Sugar Free
- Sweet & Spicy
- Triple Smoke
The glaze flavors complement the naturally smoked ham flavor without overpowering it. Choose your favorite or get creative and order several mini hams in different glazes for a tasting!
Do Prices Increase Closer to Holidays?
HoneyBaked Ham strives to keep pricing consistent year round, regardless of holidays. However, as demand spikes leading up to major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, you may find some price fluctuations or the need to buy larger quantities.
Typically, the best way to lock in lower pricing is to order your holiday hams as early as possible. Waiting until the last minute means you may pay a premium or have trouble finding availability. Shop early and save your budget.
Ways to Order in Advance
There are several convenient ways to order your HoneyBaked Ham well in advance of needing it:
- In person at any HoneyBaked Ham store nationwide
- Online at www.honeybaked.com
- Through the HoneyBaked Ham smartphone app (iOS and Android)
- By phone – call 1-866-492-HAMS
No matter which method you choose, you can place your order up to 30 days prior to the date you need it. You’ll simply specify the date and time for store pickup or delivery during checkout.
Tips for Advance Ordering
Follow these tips for a smooth experience when ordering your HoneyBaked Ham well in advance:
- Check store availability online before going in person or calling
- Factor in extra transit time if needing delivery
- Select a pick up date close to when you need it
- Bring your order confirmation when picking up in store
- Notify the store if you need to change your pick up date
- Arrange refrigeration space ahead of time
- Freeze ham immediately if not using right away
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can I order a ham for Thanksgiving or Christmas?
You can place your holiday ham order up to 30 days in advance. It is recommended to order as early as possible to ensure availability.
Do I need to do anything special with my ham between purchasing and serving?
Store it properly refrigerated until ready to use. Discard after 7 days if not eating or freezing. Cook thawed frozen ham before eating.
What is the best way to store a ham I’m not using right away?
Tightly wrap ham in plastic wrap and foil and store in coldest part of refrigerator for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze ham for 1-2 months.
Can I still order a ham for a special event as a rush order?
You can try, but availability cannot be guaranteed within 1-2 days. Order at least a week in advance for best chances.
Do I have to order in person or can I buy online?
You can order online for in-store pickup or delivery to your home. Online ordering is quick and convenient.
The Bottom Line
When you’re planning an event featuring a delicious HoneyBaked Ham, you can order up to 30 days in advance to make sure you have it in time. While HoneyBaked stores can try to accommodate last minute orders, you’ll have the most availability, best pricing, and least stress by purchasing your ham early, particularly around popular holidays. Store properly until serving and enjoy!