Photo by August de Richelieu: https://www.pexels.com/photo/family-preparing-food-in-the-kitchen-4262010/
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The holiday season is nearly upon us. And you know what that means? Guests will come to your place and there will be food and laughter.
You might have already started making your living room Christmas-ready. But what about your kitchen? Your guests may flock to the kitchen to lend a helping hand or for drinks and conversation. It will suddenly transform from a quiet personal space to party central, where memories and meals will be made.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner or a big holiday bash, your kitchen should be ready to handle the chaos.
Here, we’ll share a few tips that will help you make your kitchen ready for hosting festive get-togethers.
#1 Clear the Clutter
Getting rid of clutter from your worktop will instantly make your kitchen spacious and welcoming.
It’s easy to leave paperwork and bills on the counter, but they can quickly make your kitchen feel chaotic. Grab a basket or a decorative tray to temporarily corral mail, keys, and other odds and ends.
Tackle appliances or utensils, then. Too many standing appliances can make your kitchen cluttered and messy, says Homes & Gardens. That bulky toaster or stand mixer? Tuck them away to free up valuable counter space.
Anything else you don’t need? Put them into cabinets, drawers, or even another room for the time being. Your kitchen should feel open and functional, not like an obstacle course. If you’ve got a tiny kitchen, use wall hooks for utensils or move things to shelves.
Take a peek at your cabinets and drawers. Are they stuffed to the brim? Make room for extra plates, serving dishes, or snacks your guests will be grabbing.
#2 Stock Your Pantry
There’s nothing worse than realizing mid-party that you’re out of something important. That can ruin all the fun. So, before the big day, take a moment to do a quick inventory.
Check whether your pantry is stocked with all the basics—flour, sugar, spices, and even those sneaky little items like extra foil and parchment paper.
Stocking up also includes beverages, snacks, and backup ingredients for quick fixes. Make sure you have plenty of shelf-stable items like canned goods, pasta, and broths—they can save the day if plans change or surprise guests arrive.
Don’t forget essentials like cooking oil, salt, and baking powder; those are easy to overlook but important for many recipes.
As for holiday baking, Happily Homegrown advises stocking on all-purpose flour, bread flour and pastry flour, honey, maple syrup, molasses, and baking soda, baking powder and yeast.
#3 Check Your Appliances
Make sure all your appliances are in tip-top shape.
Is your oven heating evenly, or is it turning out food with questionable hot spots? Test it with a quick batch of cookies or a pizza to see if it’s working fine.
Is your dishwasher running smoothly, or has it been leaving behind residue? Give it a test run and clean the filter if needed.
And if you plan to cook creamy mashed potato, don’t forget to inspect your Instant Pot.
Reports of the Instant Pot explosion have been circulating for quite some time, raising safety concerns. Just this year, a Georgia woman, Courtney Nicole Foster, filed a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturers of Instant Pot after one of its pressure cookers exploded.
Her complaint stated that the cooker was defectively designed, which is why the lid opened before depressurization. She sustained serious and substantial burn injuries as a result.
Several other cases of Instant Pot explosion have been reported. While the exact number is not known, lawyers believe that there are thousands.
Instant Pot aside, companies against whom lawsuits have been filed are Bella, Crock-Pot, Costway, Ninja Foodi, and Phillipe Richards, informs TorHoerman Law.
To avoid any mishaps, ensure your pressure cooker is in proper working order and follow safety guidelines before the holiday rush.
#4 Set the Mood with Decor
Your kitchen doesn’t have to feel like a workspace. Add some festive touches to make it feel warm and inviting.
If you’ve got harsh overhead lights, soften the mood with string lights or candles. Even a small lamp on the counter can make a big difference.
Add a pop of holiday cheer. A mini wreath on a cabinet door, a bowl of ornaments, or a vase filled with greenery can instantly make your space feel festive.
If the counter space is tight, decorate vertically. Hang garlands along shelves or a festive banner across a window.
Don’t forget textiles. Swap out regular dish towels for holiday-themed ones or lay a simple runner on your kitchen island. Keep it minimal, so it doesn’t interfere with the functionality, but it’s just festive enough to set the mood.
Hosting is a lot of work, but don’t let it take the joy out of the season. Follow these tips and you’ll be ready to host the most memorable and stress-free get-together.
At the end of the day, your guests are there for you, not just your famous casserole or Pinterest-worthy table setup. So pour yourself a hot cocoa and soak in the festive vibes.