Between shopping, prepping, doing the dishes, and trying to meet each person’s needs, your to-do list can quickly get overwhelming. The better prepared you are mentally and physically, the greater the chances are that things will go smoothly. Here are some strategies for whipping your kitchen into shape and transforming it into a functional space for everyone to enjoy.
Make space
Before you can do anything else, you need to clear out the clutter. Temporarily move any small appliances you don’t need for the holidays to the basement or a cabinet to free up counter space. Then tackle the piles of mail and assorted junk sitting on the counter that have been haunting you for weeks. If you don’t have time to go through them, put them in a box and remove it from the kitchen so you can focus on the tasks at hand. Lastly, throw away any expired food hiding on the shelves of your pantry and fridge, and keep your grocery shopping light until the holidays. Instead of leaving foods in cardboard boxes, consider upgrading to clear, labeled containers. Also, focus on using up what you have to keep the spaces clear.
Deep-clean
Now that you can see more of your kitchen, it’s time to do a thorough scrub of the counters, stovetop, and floors along with the appliances that may be tackled less often. For instance, clean the walls of your sink with an industrial-strength cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend for stainless steel. Next, pour some baking soda in the drains to deodorize them, letting it sit for ten minutes before following up with some hot water. Be sure not to forget to wipe down your cabinets!
This is also your opportunity to do a deep clean of your fridge. Take everything out, and wipe down the shelves. If you have drawers, remove and wash them using warm, soapy water and a sponge. And to prepare your oven for its upcoming marathon, make sure it’s free of spills and baked-on food by running its self-cleaning cycle or using an abrasive scouring pad on stubborn stains. For more inspiring cleaning tips check out @gocleanco on IG.
Curate recipes
I am not the greatest cook, but I can follow a recipe. It’s become a handy skill since going gluten free. For instance, I was able to make a flourless chocolate cake that anyone could enjoy at Thanksgiving. I also purchased a couple of crowd pleasers as backup at the grocery store. Decide for yourself what worked and what didn’t about previous visits and holidays, using that as a guide for what to make or purchase this year. Be sure to factor in the food preferences and allergies of your guests to formulate an offering that everyone can enjoy. If you know certain family members or friends have a nostalgic attachment to specific recipes or foods, try to incorporate those when possible. I’ve found great success with the recipes from Joanna Gaines Magnolia Table.
Stock the pantry
After everything is clean and decluttered and you’ve made your cooking game plan, it’s time to stock the pantry. Make sure your staples, including your grains, flour, and spices, are filled up, and get a head start on anything on your shopping list that is shelf-stable, like canned and jarred goods, baking ingredients, and snacks.
Stock the fridge
Some of what you need for the fridge, like fresh produce, will have to be purchased a day or two before your guests arrive or before the big meal. But other items like meat, seafood, and poultry can be bought sooner and stored in the freezer. Think about what you’re planning to offer for breakfasts and lunches. If you don’t want to be cooking for all three meals, consider filling your fridge with cold cuts and sandwich fixings along with yogurt, fruit, and other quick-grab snacks so guests can help themselves.
Create zones
Sectioning off parts of the kitchen or pantry will help you stay organized, enabling you to quickly find what you need during meal prep. It will also make it easier for guests to know where to find items like cereal, bowls, and silverware. If you have time, label the areas to better ensure everyone can be as self-sufficient as possible.
Assess your tools
You might get by with only one sauce pan in your daily cooking, but you’ll need more than that to prepare large meals for many people. Either buy more pots and pans or borrow from a friend or family member, and make sure you have enough mixing bowls, chef’s knives, and cutting boards for those sous chefs wanting to help. If there are any gadgets, like a food processor, that would be useful for the recipes you are planning, consider buying or borrowing those as well.
Set up a coffee station
Coffee is a luxury that anyone can afford. Be sure to stock up on coffee grounds or pods, and have different creamers in the fridge for various tastes and preferences. Also, make sure to set out mugs and spoons so people can help themselves. If you or your guests are coffee enthusiasts, you may want to add this espresso machine to your Christmas list. For the noncoffee drinkers, provide an assortment of tea bags and an electric kettle if you have one. And if you want to be extra fancy, fill up a glass jar with some delicious biscotti.
A clean and well-organized kitchen is a great way to prepare for hosting guests. Knowing where everything is and what you have in the pantry and fridge will make it easy to feel prepped and organized, allowing you to shift your energy from being stressed about your task list to feeling excited to embrace the ones you love.
Take stock of dinnerware
Check that you have a sufficient number of bowls, plates, and utensils for the number of people you are hosting. I have found over the years that my utensils have slowly disappeared. Either they’ve grown legs or people (read: children) have thrown them away by accident. To prepare for the holidays this year, I’ve ordered this stylish set of cutlery. You can also visit a thrift store or borrow some extra sets from a friend to fill the gaps. You could also consider having disposable plates and utensils on hand for quick lunches like sandwiches…or this great disposable set that you might want to use at the kids table. Certainly, you’ll want to use regular dinnerware for main meals, but this will give you a nice breather from having to wash plates multiple times a day.
