Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party this year, or the big day is being held at your house, or you just need to create some order during this busy season, getting your kitchen organised will provide you with a real sense of calm.
I have popped together 5 simple steps that will help you prepare for Christmas so you can use your kitchen more efficiently and feel much more in control!
CLEAR THE COUNTER
There is nothing more frustrating than having clutter on your countertops, and having to constantly clear things out the way in order to prepare food or lay out dishes. One of the best ways to prepare for Christmas (and get your kitchen more organised) is to find a home for ‘all the things’ on your kitchen countertops.
If you have appliances such as bread makers and slow cookers out and you are not using often now is the time to get them out of the way, if you don’t have the cupboard space, considering storing in the garage or shed over the festive season.
The other most common items that clutter up these flat surfaces are everyday essentials such as wallets, keys, glasses, bags, pen, kids homework, paperwork and daily mail etc.
Find a temporary home elsewhere for these items – in a decorative basket, box, or in-tray – to provide yourself with more kitchen prep space. This will come in very handy when you’re preparing dishes, baking treats, wrapping presents, or writing cards.
PREPARE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLIES
During the festive season, you’re going to need quick access to your entertainment supplies, rather than having to search through cupboards and cabinets at the last minute! You’ll want to have platters, large bowls, crockery, cutlery, tablecloths, napkins and decorative table items within easy reach.
This is why having those clear kitchen surfaces can come in handy! If you’ve got the space, get these entertainment supplies out on your countertops before your guests arrive, so they’re ready on to go and you’re not rushing around looking for things in the middle of festivities.
I always like to set the table the night before, as this can be a time-consuming step, and it’s nice to be able to take your time with it and make it as pretty as you can.
ORGANISE YOUR FRIDGE
You’re going to need some clear space in your fridge to hold all the items for Christmas lunch or dinner, or all that party food. Whether you’re pre-preparing the dishes, or family members are bringing something that will need to be stored in the fridge, you’ll need some extra room.
In the lead-up to a party or Christmas Day, try and use up as many of the fridge supplies as possible to create extra storage space.
Remove what still remains, and give the shelves a good wipe-down, use warm soapy water with a splash of white vinegar for best results and create a space by transferring food items out of containers and putting them in zip-lock bags or stackable tubs.
ORGANISE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS
It’s likely there’s going to be leftover food from your party/lunch/dinner, so it pays to get your food storage containers organised now so they’re ready to be used. If you’re going to give guests leftovers to take home, stock up on some reusable take-way tubs or pop to the pound shop then you won’t need them back.
With your own storage container collection, do a big declutter and get rid of any containers that are missing their lids, chipped or cracked, misshapen, an inconvenient size or ones that you rarely use. Be as ruthless as you can with this decluttering, as food storage containers can often be taking up more space in your kitchen than you realise!
With the keepers, stack them by shape and/or size in a drawer or cabinet, and keep the lids separate in a labelled box or basket so you can easily find a matching set when you’re packing up leftovers.
MAKE CLEANING UP A BREEZE
There’s no doubt that celebrations of any kind create a mess, and here’s where having an organised kitchen can make clean-up quicker and less painful!
Have a stack of clean tea-towels ready to go, and stock up on your cleaning supplies – dishwasher tablets/powder, multipurpose spray, washing-up gloves, sponges and bin bags.
Make sure the dishwasher has been emptied before guests arrive. Clear those countertops so you can stack dirty dishes near the sink, and also lay down a tea-towel to hold extra dishes that you’ve hand-washed.
Playlist
Create the perfect mood by creating a fun Christmas playlist. Handpick a selection of your favourite festive tunes to bring joy and nostalgia to your day.
Go for classics like Jingle Bell Rock and add contemporary hits like All I want for Christmas is you.
Just a few simple adjustments in your kitchen can really make the whole day run more smoothly and minimise your stress so you can actually enjoy the celebrations!
