Try to remember back to last January (I know it’s especially hard to do that this year, but go with me here).
As you were cleaning up all of your Christmas things (such as the decorations, the party platters, the baking equipment), did you come across something tucked away in a back cupboard that you had wished you brought out? Maybe a serving dish, the good silverware, or some recipe that you had forgotten you saved?
Organise your kitchen so you’re ready for the silly season. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
This year, it can be different. With a little forethought and planning, your Christmas can be more special than ever. After all, this is the time of year that you use those very items that you’ve been holding onto for just this occasion, but you can only use them if you remember to bring them out!
So, as we concentrate on the kitchen, here are some thoughts to help you get that area even more organised and make your Christmastime more joyous.
Plan a Christmas go-to area
First, make some space in your kitchen for all of the things you’ll be using this Christmas. Clear out a shelf in a cupboard or find a work table that will be your go-to area for all of your holiday cooking and entertaining. If the items are out and in front of you, you’re far more likely to remember to use them.
Know what you’ll use and donate the thing you won’t
Next, go through all of your cupboards, storage areas, the area underneath the stairs or high up in the garage and pull out all of the serving trays that you’ve been saving for special occasions. This is the time of year to use them.
Give them a good clean and stack them in your special Christmas shelf. Have a good think about whether you’d like to use each of these pieces. Now, for the ones that you’ve decided you’ll probably not use this year, think about donating or giving them away. They are pieces that at one point in your life held more meaning for you than they do now.
Time spent decluttering and planning will help make this season extra special. Picture: Sander Dalhuisen/Unsplash
Christmastime is one of the best times to declutter as you’ll no doubt end up with more things in your home at this time of the year and you’ll need the freed-up space. Additionally, this is the time of giving. Think about people who may make better use of the things you no longer love or need.
Do the same for your tableware and any other kitchen items you reserve for special occasions or Christmas.
Plan recipes and menus
Now, with your supplies laid out neatly, go to your cookbooks and the magazine articles and recipes you’ve been saving and let inspiration take hold. Go through these with the idea that this year, you’re not going to forget to make those amazing gingerbread men that you’ve saved the recipe for! Gather these together and decide which ones are really practical and which ones might not be.
What parties are you having?
Make your lists and check them twice. What types of gatherings will you have? What types of food will be served? Start a list of dates and plans. Start a shopping list for grocery items you may need. Planning all of this in advance takes the headache out of the last minute Christmas frenzy.
Start planning for your dinner parties well in advance. Picture: Getty
Sugar and spice and everything nice
And, of course, this is the time to check which baking items are now past their expiry dates. Toss these now and restock them in advance of needing them. All of this planning in advance will pay off handily when you feel no stress at party time.
Make this season extra special
A little forethought and planning will make your Christmas kitchen work even better for you than it ever has before. You deserve that this year perhaps more than any other Christmas in the past.
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