There’s no denying that the kitchen is the busiest part of the house this holiday season. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s just around the corner, these three major events will surely make the kitchen a bustling area at home, producing sumptuous meals, baking the best desserts, and the place where everyone hangs out the most. Guests and family members gather here to eat, have drinks, and catch up on the happenings over the past year.
That being said, it’s time to prepare your kitchen for a final stretch of battle this year. It’s good to keep your kitchen well equipped and festively decorated to feel the holiday vibes while you whip and fry your favorite signature dishes. You will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen so a little motivation can be of help. It’s the time of bringing out those cheery decors, in-the-theme mantel, best kitchenware, etc. in time for this year’s most festive season.
Don’t let the holiday stress get into you by keeping your kitchen holiday-ready. Organize everything from plates to appliances and make sure that the ingredients you will be regularly using have enough supplies. It is also important to keep it clean as sanitation and health are the top priorities in any household.
In the list below, we’ve gathered the ten most useful tips to help prepare your kitchen for the season. The list includes helpful cleaning advice, food preparation, decorating the kitchen, organizing cookware, and other practical kitchen know-how. Avoid rushing and panicking which may potentially dampen your holiday spirit. As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is the central place where you celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season- spending quality time with your loved ones.
Ten Tips to Prepare your Kitchen this Holiday
Follow the ten tips below to ensure a winning moment in the kitchen this holiday season.
Do some decluttering
Before you start loading items in the kitchen, take out first all the unnecessary food items. Check out the expiry date of goods that may have been sitting in your fridge for months now. Doing some decluttering will help create space for new things that are to come. Start with a clean state to avoid food contamination that commonly grows from molds from expired food in the fridge. Extend your inspection to the pantry where canned goods, boxes of food, etc. are stored. After sorting, take time to clean the area as well.
Add festive decors to your kitchen
After you’ve taken out all the junk from the kitchen, you can now start decorating to add that festive mood for the holidays. Jazz up this part of the house by choosing a theme that blends well with the other ornaments at home. Add some colors to your dishtowels and rugs by putting some plaids and prints. You can choose timeless designs that are suitable for any season of the year.
Another thing to try is by using your very own kitchen wares and adding some twists. Mason jars or long glass containers can be filled with colorful Christmas balls. It’s both simple and stylish while maximizing what you already have in the kitchen.
Don’t forget to add the classic holiday ornaments like a mistletoe, wreath, bows, or even a small Christmas tree to the cabinets and walls in the kitchen.
Make it sparkling with lights
Lights are a great way to boost your holiday spirit. Those sparkling lights add some glisten and shine that will surely attract guests to this side of the house. Kids also flock to the kitchen as they usually get cookies or even help out prepare some snacks. A beautifully lit kitchen will surely make their time here more worthwhile. Hang a string or two or maybe add some candles. Explore using an LED light that can add to the mood lighting perfect for gatherings in the kitchen.
Suggested Read: How to Achieve the Best Lighting For Your Condo
Get the liquor section ready
The holiday season is the perfect time for a get-together with family and friends. Although the pandemic has not allowed us to do this last year, a virtual celebration still calls for some wine and cheese. Ready your kitchen by checking the available drinks for your party. Wine racks or any storage would be a nice addition to your home’s minibar. This will get guests excited with the collection of wine and other liquor at home. Cheers!
Check the storage of your food
A common problem in the kitchen every holiday is that there is not enough space for your food and other leftovers. Extras could always be repurposed and should not be thrown out easily. Make space by placing unused items in temporary storage. That way, you can use the available space for more urgent things that need to be stored. Stack up also on food containers that can be easily pulled out when needed. You can share some food with guests and just quickly pack them for takeaway.
Organize your dinnerware, linen, and other kitchen needs
Staying organized is key to fast and effective movements in the kitchen. Pull out your dinnerware- plates, spoon and forks, glasses, knives, serving platters, etc. days in advance and give them a good bath to ensure their cleanliness. Once they are clean, put them aside in a corner that is easily accessible when you prepare the table. Bring out the linens and other table decors aligned with this year’s holiday theme.
Isn’t it convenient to have everything organized near you and you don’t have to keep searching while running a party? Not only does it save time, but it also helps you keep relaxed and stress-free. This gives you more time for bonding with your family and guests.
Suggested Read: Best Grocery Shopping Apps to Use this Pandemic
Clean your kitchen appliances
Clean the oven, dishwasher, and other kitchen appliances in time for the upcoming kitchen frenzy. This will remove the old smell that might come from burnt bits and growing dirt. Check the stability of your appliance and make sure they are in tip-top shape for all the cooking and baking. The fridge, microwave, oven, and stove are the most commonly used kitchen appliances over the holidays. You can use available materials at home like baking soda, ammonia, or vinegar to keep your kitchen tools squeaky clean.
Check the stack of your ingredients
Do you have all the ingredients ready to make that delicious pie? Check your spice rack and your oil containers because you don’t want to be running on a shortage while cooking or baking. Spices tend to be sold out in groceries so keeping your stock ready for the holidays would be ideal. Other commonly used food items are flour, baking powder, cream, spices, etc. The list depends on what you plan to prepare for your family and guests. The point is- ready the ingredients and kitchen tools that you will be needing to avoid that last-minute grocery run when everything is almost out of stock.
Suggested Read: Most Essential Spices and Herbs in the Kitchen
Child-proof the kitchen
Kids like to hang out in the kitchen. Whether they want to grab some cookies or maybe just looking for something to eat, if you’ve got young family members, make the call to keep the kitchen child-proof. Taking precautions is an important step in any household. Things like matches, lighters, anything sharp or pointed, cleaning solutions, etc. should be kept in a higher ground where they cannot be reached by children. Store them in the upper cabinets or use child-friendly latches. Check all the cords and unplug them when not in use.
Plan your menu ahead
We know you’ve got your signatures every holiday but it might be also worth exploring new and exciting dishes this year. Plan your menu to prepare them as early as possible. Start by buying the ingredients early. You can also do the chopping and cutting days in advance and put it in the fridge after. Make a schedule for your menu to avoid preparing them all at once.
Clean and disinfect trash bins
A bonus tip to all: clean and disinfect the trash bins. Dirt and bacteria may build up from food remnants that may cause a bad odor indoors. Take out the trash regularly and then clean and disinfect the container. The same goes with the other kitchen equipment, wash and wipe them after use to keep them in their prime.
The holiday season is fast approaching. The kitchen is where all the hustle and bustle happen to make the season filled with good food and good memories. Make sure to prepare your kitchen as early as possible to avoid the madness. The home is the best place to be this season together with your family members and loved ones. Keep your celebrations safe and small bearing in mind the safety and wellbeing of each attendee.
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Butuan is also known as the “First Kingdom in Mindanao” because of its rich history. Long before the coming of the Spaniards, Butuan was known as a trading post in Asia facilitating trade among our Asian neighbors like the Malays, Indonesians, Indians, and the Chinese. Archeologists have discovered that as early as the fourth century, there was already a civilization existing in this place based on the artifacts and bones that they have dug up. Aside from natural landmarks, many historical tourist destinations await visitors. This includes the Butuan National Museum, Balangay Boat Building Site, Bud Promontory, and Eco Park, Bonbon Shell Miden, and many more.
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Suggested Read: How to Make Your Condo Party-Ready for Christmas
