Holiday traditions, family favorites, and a few good reasons to make room for seafood this season.

There are certain things that just belong on a holiday table. The family recipes that haven't changed in decades. The dishes everyone looks forward to. And, inevitably, that one relative who insists they aren't hungry but somehow manages to visit the appetizer tray six times before dinner.

Here in Virginia, seafood has always had a place among those traditions.

From oyster dressing and creamy crab dip to beautifully prepared crab cakes, the flavors of the Chesapeake Bay have been part of family gatherings for generations. And while turkey might get most of the Thanksgiving attention, we think there's plenty of room at the table for something from the water.

A Tradition Worth Sharing

At Graham & Rollins, we've been part of Hampton, Virginia's seafood story since 1942.

As a fourth-generation family-owned company, we've seen plenty of holiday seasons come and go. Through the years, recipes have changed, family tables have grown, and the ways people prepare their favorite seafood dishes have evolved.

But some things haven't changed.

We still believe good seafood starts with quality ingredients, careful preparation, and a little respect for the traditions that brought us here.

Our crab meat is carefully hand-picked, our signature crab cakes are handcrafted, and our kitchen continues to prepare the Chesapeake favorites generations of customers have come back for.

And now, we're proud to send those familiar flavors to homes across the country.

Seafood Doesn't Have to Be the Main Event to Steal the Show

One of the best things about incorporating seafood into holiday meals is how easily it fits into the celebration.

You don't have to replace the turkey or rethink the entire menu. Sometimes, a great appetizer or a special side dish is all it takes.

Start with something crabby.

Our Imperial Crab Dip makes an easy addition to the appetizer table. Serve it warm alongside toasted bread or crackers, and you've got something worth gathering around before dinner even begins.

Give the traditional dinner a Chesapeake twist.

Fresh Lump Crab Meat is a versatile ingredient for crab imperial, seafood stuffing, and other family favorites. If you're preparing something where presentation really matters, our premium Jumbo Lump Crab Meat offers those beautiful, delicate pieces that deserve a little extra attention.

Make an entrance with scallops.

Sweet, tender sea scallops are an excellent choice for holiday entertaining. Our Bacon Wrapped Scallops offer a savory, crowd-pleasing appetizer, while large and jumbo sea scallops make an impressive addition to a special dinner.

Don't forget the crab cakes.

Our handcrafted Chesapeake-style crab cakes offer something for just about every gathering. Serve them as an entrée, make them part of a seafood spread, or keep a few in the freezer for an easy meal when the holiday leftovers have finally lost their appeal.

The Best Holiday Hosting Tip? Plan Ahead.

Holiday gatherings have a way of sneaking up on us.

One minute you're putting out the fall decorations, and the next you're wondering how Thanksgiving got here already.

Fortunately, many of our seafood favorites can be ordered ahead and kept frozen until you're ready to prepare them. It's a convenient way to take a little pressure off holiday cooking without sacrificing the quality of what you're serving.

Because we ship perishable seafood nationwide, we recommend scheduling delivery a day or two before your gathering rather than the day of the event.

Important 2026 Holiday Ordering Deadlines

Thanksgiving Delivery: Order by November 19

Christmas Delivery: Order by December 15

Please remember that fresh hand-picked crab meat is seasonal, and availability for deliveries after December 1 cannot be guaranteed. Frozen and pasteurized crab meat options may be available for customers planning later December celebrations.

We encourage ordering early, especially when your holiday menu depends on a particular seafood favorite.

From Our Family to Yours

Whether seafood has been part of your family's holiday traditions for generations or you're introducing something new to the table this year, we're glad to be a small part of the celebration.

After all, holiday meals aren't just about what's being served. They're about the people gathered around the table, the recipes passed down, and the memories made along the way.

And if a little Chesapeake crab happens to steal some attention from the turkey?

Well, we certainly won't complain.

Set the table with the Bay this holiday season.

Explore Graham & Rollins' handcrafted crab cakes, premium crab meat, scallops, and Chesapeake seafood favorites, shipped nationwide from Hampton, Virginia.