As the holidays are rapidly approaching, your kitchen will quickly turn into the busiest area of your home, whether you like it or not. If you’re planning on entertaining guests during the holidays, it can be easy for the organization of your kitchen to become neglected in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.

Maintaining your kitchen’s organization is important throughout the year, but taking a little extra time to reorganize things now can help you stay prepared to entertain a number of guests during the upcoming holiday season.

When you bring guests into your home, it’s nice to know that everything you’ll need to keep your guests healthy and happy is exactly where it should be. In the interest of helping you prepare your kitchen to become the centre of entertainment during the holidays, here are a few organizational suggestions:

Clean Countertops 

It’s easy to let clutter accumulate on your countertops. It’s the easiest and most convenient place to set things down when you come into your house with your hands full. However, if you’re going to entertain guests, clean countertops are a must.

Take some time to clear any mail or bills lying around and file important papers away in their proper place. You don’t want any important documents lying around when your kitchen becomes a flurry of activity. Make sure to clean all surfaces, including backsplashes, counters, and floors. 

Maintain The Microwave 

This seems like a relatively simple step, but it’s also one of the easiest and most frequently overlooked areas of people’s kitchens. That being said, it can be pretty embarrassing to have a guest offer to help with food preparation and have them find a gross, food-splattered microwave. 

Organize The Oven 

The holiday season is baking time for many families. You should be careful to avoid running the self-clean cycle just before you are going to utilize your oven to cook for a large party. The self-clean cycle can be stressful on the oven and, in the worst case, cause it to fail right when you need it the most.

To avoid having your oven die right before you’re set to throw your turkey in, take some time to do a quick cleaning with a wet rag around the top burners of your over. Once you’ve done that, leave the rest for next year! 

Refresh The Refrigerator 

Your refrigerator is bound to get a bunch of use during the holidays. It will inevitably be opened and closed constantly, in addition to being asked to store heavy dishes to its’ maximum capacity. Take a few minutes to make sure all door handles and gaskets are tight, clean the cold air vents, and replace any burnt-out lights.

You should also think about removing refrigerator shelving and washing it in the sink with dish soap. Dry your shelves with a dish towel and make sure they are secure when you place them back into your refrigerator. 

As the holidays approach, a little preparation can go a long ways towards helping you successfully entertain company throughout the holiday season. We hope these suggestions will help you quickly and efficiently organize your kitchen for the influx of activity that’s bound to occur in over the next couple months.