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6 Tips to Help you Prepare your Kitchen and Pantry for the Holidays
November is the official start of the winter holiday season! While it may still look like autumn outside, many of us begin to feel the cheery pull of the winter holidays and the need for warm, comforting foods. This year, more than ever, many of us need a little extra holiday spirit. You may have already set up your tree, pulled out your Menorah, or begun to hang lights and decorations, and while these tasks certainly make our homes feel more festive–let’s not forget about the workhorse of the holidays: the kitchen.
Our kitchens take a lot of abuse. From average weekly cooking to parties, cookie exchanges, and big holiday meals…we spend A LOT of time in there. So, let’s show your kitchen some love and reduce your holiday stress. Follow these 6 tips to reorganize, declutter, and get ready for the holiday season!
#1 | Take EVERYTHING Out of Your Pantry
Have you ever gone to the store and purchased an item only to find 2 more of them in your pantry? Yeah, me too. Pantries tend to be black holes…ingredients get shoved behind taller boxes and easily lost or forgotten. The best remedy is to take everything (yes, everything) out of the pantry and reorganize. Group like items and dedicate sections to make things easier to find and shop for later.
#2 | Throw Out Expired or Unwanted Items
While you’re at it with the pantry, now is the perfect time to toss expired ingredients or foods you and your family just don’t enjoy. Did you get sucked into the raw food fad? Yeah, I’m not a fan of raw almonds either….out they go for the birds and squirrels. Help make someone’s holiday a little merrier and consider donating unexpired duplicate items to your local food pantry or canned food drive!
#3 | Declutter your Utensils
If you don’t already use a utensil drawer organizer, now is the time to get one! Not only do they keep your drawers tidy, but when guests are helping to wash and put away dishes, there will be no questions where things belong. For cooking utensils, consider grouping similar items, such as knives, in one section and spoons and spatulas in another section. Cooking will feel less stressful if you can easily see all of your tools without needing to dig around in a messy drawer.
#4 | Prepare Special Dishes and Linens Ahead of Time
Maybe you use a special set of dishes or china during the holidays. Don’t wait until the meal is half-cooked to remember to gather and wash these dishes; do it ahead of time. Pull out the special linens, serving platters, and stemware. Clean and arrange everything on your table a few days before a big holiday meal or party so that all you need to do is fill them with food and enjoy time with your guests; no hunting in the crawl space or attic for Grandma’s tureen.
#5 | Clean Your Refrigerator
Much like the pantry, the fridge often becomes stuffed during the holidays, making it really easy to lose items. That bag of salad can quickly become a science experiment when buried beneath items in the crisper drawer. Avoid the stink and clutter now while you don’t have to make room for a giant turkey or tubs of leftovers. Use this time to clean and tidy your fridge, and if you’re up for a challenge…check out that freezer too!
#6 |Plan Your Menu
Menu planning seems like a no-brainer during the holidays, but take it a step further by placing the menu and ingredient list for each dish in a central location in your kitchen. This is so helpful when you’re already feeling frazzled or the kids want to help; one quick look at the menu list and you’ll know exactly what you need! Plus, by listing everything, you can easily take stock of what you already have in your pantry and what you need to purchase.
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of a home; treat it so! Show your kitchen some love now and I promise you won’t regret it. Prepare and plan now so that you can alleviate stress, spend more time with family and friends, and actually have some fun this holiday season. Tackle that pantry, reclaim your fridge, and GET and STAY ORGANIZED!
Contributed by S. Walter
