As the temperature drops and the leaves begin to fall, we’re reminded that winter—and the holiday season— are just around the corner. While the holidays can be an exciting and celebratory time, they can also be a challenging one! From finding the perfect gifts to juggling events (all while trying to maintain your daily routine), the to-do list can quickly become overwhelming.
Of course, one of the best ways to avoid future stress is to prepare ahead of time, and when it comes to preparing for the holidays, the best place to get a head start is in your kitchen, With family gatherings and feasts ahead, your kitchen will most likely become the heart of the holiday action, so having a clutter-free, well-prepped kitchen is a key ingredient to cooking up holiday joy and not festivity frustration.
Here's how you can declutter and reclaim your kitchen before the holiday rush, with a little help from Organize With Lisa.
Step 1: Clear Out the Pantry
When it comes to holiday cooking, you not only want to ensure you have all the ingredients you need - you also want to make sure they’re easy to find! Over time, it’s easy for food products to accumulate and be forgotten in the back of shelves - often past their expiration dates – which is why the first step in decluttering your kitchen is tackling the pantry! Here’s how:
Check Expiration Dates: Toss out expired spices, sauces, and canned goods. If you have any items that are not expired, but you don’t plan to use, get in the spirit of giving back by donating them to your local food pantry. It’s a win-win!
Group Similar Items: Sort through your remaining items and organize them by category— for example: grains, canned goods, snacks, and spices.
Use Clear Bins and Labels: Clear, labelled containers are one of our favorite tools for keeping pantries organized. Clear bins make it easier to see what you have, while labelling helps ensure everything has a designated place.
Lisa’s Pro Tip: When reorganizing your pantry, place the items you use the most at eye level for easy access.
Step 2: Organize Your Cooking Space
Having a tidy, clutter-free space for cooking can make a huge difference in your holiday cooking experience. Countertops are often the first areas to become cluttered, which can lead to both visual and mental overwhelm, so let’s get them ready ahead of time!
Limit Countertop Items: Only keep the essentials on your counters —things like your coffee maker or the appliances you use daily. Everything else should have a home in a drawer or cabinet. Once you’ve decluttered, aim to keep your surfaces as clear as possible. It will make your kitchen feel more spacious and inviting, just in time for guests to arrive!
Maximize Cabinet Space with Organizers: Use shelf risers or pull-out trays to make your cabinet space more efficient. These tools help you easily access pots, pans, and dishes, without having to dig through a pile of cookware.
Create a Cooking Station: Designate an area near your stove for cooking essentials like olive oil, frequently used spices, and utensils. Having a dedicated space makes meal prep more efficient and keeps your kitchen looking tidy.
Prep for Holiday Storage: Make sure you leave room in your fridge and freezer for prepped holiday meals and leftovers. Stock up on reusable food containers now, so you’re ready for all that extra holiday storage.
Lisa’s Pro Tip: Reserve a cabinet or shelf for holiday-specific dishes or gadgets, like that turkey roaster or pie dishes. Keep them stored away until they’re needed to free up valuable kitchen real estate.
Step 3: Holiday-Ready Kitchen Checklist
Once you’ve decluttered and organized your ingredients and cooking area, you’re already well ahead of the game! Here are a few extra steps you can take to prepare your kitchen and save you stress for the holiday season:
Stock Up on Holiday Essentials: Take care of your holiday grocery shopping before the rush and restock non-perishable ingredients you’ll need for holiday cooking—spices, flour, sugar, and more.
Deep Clean Appliances: Give your oven, stovetop, and microwave a deep clean. This way, they’ll be ready to handle all the extra holiday cooking.
Create a Cooking Schedule: For holiday meals where you’re using the oven to cook multiple dishes, create a cooking schedule ahead of time to avoid the mental gymnastic of time calculations on the day!
Prepare Your Serving Ware: Go through your serving dishes and utensils to ensure you have enough for your holiday guests. If anything is chipped or broken, now’s the time to replace it.
Lisa’s Pro Tip: Add labels to your serving dishes before cooking to designate which food item goes where.
Decluttering your kitchen now sets the stage for a stress-free holiday season, allowing you to focus on enjoying time with family and friends, and creating delicious meals without the hassle of searching through cluttered cabinets or overstuffed pantries!
At Organize With Lisa, we understand the importance of a functional, tidy kitchen, especially during the holidays. If the thought of tackling your kitchen feels overwhelming, we’re here to help! From pantry makeovers to cabinet organization, we can transform your kitchen into an efficient space where you’ll enjoy cooking all season long.
Ready to Declutter? Book a session with Organize With Lisa today and get your kitchen holiday-ready with ease. Based right here in Bergen County, NJ, we're your go-to professional organizing service for a stress-free holiday season!
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