Preparing Your Kitchen for the Holiday Season

The holidays will be here before we know it, so prepping your kitchen space for family gatherings is of top priority. The holiday marathon between Thanksgiving and New Years means preparing meals for more people than usual, baking fresh apple pies, and entertaining family and friends. Is your kitchen holiday-ready?

You deserve to enjoy the holidays just as much as when you’re the host, so it is important to be prepared so you can entertain and enjoy the festivities stress-free! If you’re in need of a bit of prep work and tips to ensure it is smooth sailing for the holidays in your kitchen, follow these tips and tricks from the Appliance Educator. 

De-clutter

This is one of the most important steps because you will need all of the extra counter space you can get for entertaining and displaying your delicious Thanksgiving courses. Lots of gift wrapping, food prepping, and baking are going to arise, and counter space is going to be necessary. You don’t want a mess of paperwork and trinkets lying around while your kitchen is a flurry of activity. Consider boxing up the non-holiday decor and save it for when the season is over. You’ll want to make room to decorate and get in the holiday spirit!

Redecorate

While we focus a lot of our attention on other seasonal spots such as the doorway or entrance, it is easy to forget to spice up the space where we end up spending the most time in—the kitchen. Keep holiday countertop decor minimal, while still showcasing your favorite festive adornments. Your other surfaces--such as walls, doors, cabinets, chairs, and shelves—are the perfect surfaces to hang your holiday sentiments. 

Wreaths make for great decor and can work for virtually any season. Hang them along the backside of your dining room table’s chairs, or have a single one as a centerpiece on your vent hood. Placing a wreath on a range hood has been a popular kitchen design trend, especially for farmhouse-inspired homes.

If you have a kitchen island or a dining room table, you will also want to consider a beautiful festive centerpiece. A holiday flower arrangement or plant with a scented candle could add a festive touch and the perfect amount of warmth. A symbol of the holiday your celebrating, such as a Christmas Tree or a Menorah, could elevate the holiday aesthetics. 

Prep Your Favorite Recipes

What’s more festive than some hot cocoa, a slice of warm pie, or some Hanukkah Gelt? You’ll want to prep your fridges and pantries with everything needed to make your favorite meals and treats this season. A nice grocery store haul is probably in-store, so stock up and be merry! You’ll also want to be sure to purge your cabinets and fridge of old foods in order to make room for the season’s delectable treats. 

Kick back and relax a little more this holiday season by getting you and your kitchen prepared. Don’t let the gatherings around the kitchen intimidate you during a time you should be enjoying yourself and your company. The tips above are sure to keep your guests’ bellies full and your kitchen merry and bright!