Survive the holidays by planning ahead and preparing your kitchen for the bashing it’s about to take! This doesn’t have to be painful, just follow along and start now!

 

Organize those spices, line up the labels and alphabetize if you must!   Just be sure you have a surplus of those often used holiday flavors  like cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

 

Stock the pantry with ingredients for your favorite cooking and baking recipes.  When you have a large walk-in pantry you’ll have plenty of room for precious resources!

Take inventory of your cookware and bakeware to be sure you can accommodate new specialty recipes. We like to use a tall deep pantry cabinet for easy visibility and accessibility.

The same applies to serving pieces.  Gather your large platters into one location now so they are within reach when you’re ready to plate.

 

Be sure you small appliances are in working order, the slow cooker, blender, and mixers are all about to earn their cabinet position.

Make space in your refrigerator and freezer so you will have space to freeze cookies and pre-made dishes.

Plan for clean-up before the party starts with soaps, dishwasher detergent, disinfectants and extra towels.  Now may be the time to treat yourself to that special dishwasher, like the new Cove from SubZero that will clean and sanitize every plate in silence while your entertaining!

Plan your menu in advance to accommodate signature dishes with the most flattering serving pieces.

 

Happy Holiday Wishes

from all of us

at Geneva Cabinet Company!

Explore all of our ideas for organized storage right here!

Then stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom

to be inspired for every room in your home!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

Featured Cabinetry is from Shiloh Cabinetry, Plato Woodwork, Inc & Medallion Cabinetry

Photography by Shanna Wolf/S.Photography and Styling

It’s time to enjoy the holiday party season . . . even when you’re the host! If your guests are like most, they will gather around your busy kitchen. Our advanced planning ideas will let you enjoy their company while you entertain stress-free for the holidays!

Our Top 10 Tips (and the estimated amount of time for planning)*

clear counter space Medallion Cabinetry Kitchen island#1 Clean clutter from countertops (1 hr to clean/1hr to decorate)

This is the most important step. Keep your countertops clutter-free in your beautiful holiday kitchen!  Pack away non-holiday decorative accessories. Keep your work surfaces free and ready for service at a moments notice. Baking, gift-wrapping, food preparation and food service all need this space. Keep countertop holiday décor minimal and use the vertical surfaces to hang wreaths, ornaments and other holiday sentiments from removable hooks.

 

holiday kitchen preparations clean out the refrigerator Plato cabinet refrigerator wood panel and drawers

#2 Refrigerator/Freezer purge (1hr)

What is lurking in the back of that refrigerator and freeze? Time to eat it or toss it. Make way for this seasons delectable treats. Holiday cookies can be prebaked and stored in your roomy freezer while prearranged serving trays will be wrapped and ready to go as soon as guests arrive.

 

holiday kitchen preparations clean the oven stove top and appliances Medallion cabinets

#3 Clean and shine cooking appliances! (2hrs)

Nothing feels as fresh as clean appliances! Run the oven cleaning cycle right now, don’t wait until its time to bake the rum cake. Do a deep cleaning for the dishwasher, microwave and even the toaster oven. While you’re at it, find the instruction manuals so you can master the defrost cycle and meat probe before you’re under pressure.

 

holiday kitchen preparations recipes cookware ready

#4 Find your favorite recipes and cookware (30 minutes or all night if you’re on Pinterest)

Pull out those family recipes and scan the Internet for new ideas. Print out, place bookmarks and make an extra copy for markup during cooking and shopping. Find all of the cookware you will use, sharpen the knives and find the turkey baster in advance. Devote a section of your clean countertop to the cooking essentials arranged by recipe so you can smoothly execute each move.

 

holiday kitchen preparations refresh spices and condiments Plato Woodworking cabinetry in white painted finish

#5 Inventory spices & condiments (15 minutes)

Now that you are recipes ready, maximize your cooking efforts with fresh ingredients. Spices do expire and so does that ketchup Uncle Marv wants to put on your prime rib roast . . . no judgment.

 

holiday kitchen preparations display cabinet serving dishes r

#6 Serving pieces front and center (15 minutes)

You know the fabulous platter you uncovered at an estate sale, where did that go? Find it now and place it, along with your other favorite serving pieces, within easy reach at the front of your cabinet. Wash, polish and ready for plating.

 

iday kitchen preparations serving trays ready glasses cleaned Black cabinetry with metallic door in gloss metal

#6 1/2 Serving trays

Ditto, we just want to show you this cool tray storage cabinet.

 

holiday kitchen preparations kitchen desk converts to snack coffee bar or desert area

#7 Double duty kitchen zone (15 minutes)

Dedicate a specialty area of your kitchen to a new purpose for party time. The kitchen-planning desk becomes a perfect location for a hot chocolate, coffee or desert bar.

 

holiday kitchen preparations beverage bar cabinetry WoodMode cabinetry bar cabinet and serving storage with mini under counter refrigerator

#8 Beverage Bar (30 minutes)

Visibility will encourage your guests to help themselves and free you up for other hosting duties. Wash and dry wine and cocktail glasses with a lint free towel. Gather and conveniently arrange all ingredients for your featured cocktails.

 

holiday kitchen preparations Scotman ice maker refrigerator drawer built in cabinetry bar

#9 Artisan Ice – It’s a thing (5 Minutes and then maybe another 5 + 5 + 5 + 5)

Hardness, density, melt-time . . .  your drink connoisseurs will notice!   At the very least, empty the old ice from your bin. Take it to the next level by preparing your own cubes with boiled-distilled water or invest in one of the new generation ice-makers that will do all of the work for you.

 

holiday kitchen preparations pull out trash bin Plato Woodwork cabinetry double recycle cabinet door front with insert of woven fiber

#10 Last but not least-trash talk (15 minutes)

It may not be glamorous, but it needs more than a stick up deodorizer. Wash and disinfect trash and recycle containers to prevent unwelcome odors from polluting your holiday buffet. Pick up an extra large bin to place out of sight for the easy disposal of bulky items when you are entertaining a big group.

So there you have it!  Devote a couple of hours for a few days or one good Saturday and you’re ready!

Now enjoy the entire holiday season with no last minute hassles!

 

*Disclaimer – all time estimates assume you have the ideal Geneva Cabinet Kitchen!

 

If you are thinking of gifting yourself a new kitchen for the holidays,

we can help from planning, to selection, to installation!

 

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC

(262) 245-9600

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