Start Fresh: Clear the Clutter Before the Cooking Begins

Week 1: Start Fresh – Clear the Clutter Before the Cooking Begins 🦃

Before the turkey hits the oven and the casseroles start rolling in, now’s the perfect time to give your kitchen and dining areas a fresh start. A little decluttering goes a long way in keeping your space calm, organized, and functional when the holiday hustle begins. Whether you’re hosting family in Mandeville, Covington, or Hammond, a tidy kitchen makes all the difference.

Clear Off Countertops and Dining Surfaces

Countertops are the heart of any Louisiana kitchen. When they’re cluttered cooking, prepping, and even cleaning become stressful. Start by clearing everything off your countertops and dining surfaces. Keep only daily essentials like a cutting board, knife block, and the small appliances you use most. Store, donate, or relocate everything else. You’ll be amazed at how much calmer your kitchen feels when surfaces are open and ready for holiday meal prep.

Tidy Up the Pantry and Remove Expired Items

Next, tackle your pantry. Holidays are a time for baking, roasting, and snacking, so it’s important to know what’s on hand. Remove expired items, wipe down shelves, and group similar items together; think canned goods, baking supplies, snacks, and spices. Keep frequently used ingredients at eye level for easy access. This simple step makes holiday cooking smoother and more enjoyable.

Organize Serving Pieces and Cookware

Nothing slows down meal prep faster than hunting for the right casserole dish or cookie tray. Organize your serving pieces and cookware so everything is easy to find. Stack like items together, use shelf organizers if needed, and make holiday-specific pieces easily accessible. Knowing where everything is saves time, reduces stress, and lets you focus on the fun part: plating your delicious Louisiana-style sides beautifully.

Declutter the Kitchen “Drop Zone”

Many kitchens have a corner for mail, keys, school papers, and random odds and ends, a “drop zone.” Before the holidays, declutter this area so it’s functional for planning, prep, and last-minute holiday tasks. Clear away papers, old coupons, and anything that doesn’t belong. Baskets, trays, or file folders keep what remains organized and accessible. A clean drop zone keeps your mind clear and your kitchen organized, even when the holiday season is at its busiest.

Your Goal: Calm, Functional Spaces

The holiday season is busy enough, your kitchen and dining areas shouldn’t add to the chaos. By clearing countertops, tidying the pantry, organizing cookware, and decluttering your drop zone now, you’ll create calm, functional spaces that make cooking, prepping, and hosting a joy instead of a stress.

Think of this first week as hitting the “reset” button for your kitchen. Once you’ve tackled these areas, you’ll feel ready to take on all the holiday meals, desserts, and gatherings with ease.

Louisiana Holiday Kitchen Reset Checklist

Countertops & Dining Surfaces:

• Clear off all items

• Keep only daily essentials

• Store, donate, or relocate extras

Pantry:

• Remove expired items

• Wipe down shelves

• Group similar items together

• Keep frequently used items at eye level

Cookware & Serving Pieces:

• Organize by type

• Make holiday-specific pieces easily accessible

• Stack or use shelf organizers as needed

Kitchen Drop Zone:

• Remove old papers, coupons, and clutter

• Use baskets, trays, or folders for organization

• Keep the space clear for planning and prep

Goal:

• Create calm, functional spaces ready for holiday cooking and entertaining in Louisiana