Get your kitchen ready for holiday hosting

Clear the counters first

Counters are your workspace when you host. Give the everyday things that live there, like mail, chargers and appliances you rarely use, a temporary home in a cabinet or a basket, so you have room to prep, plate and serve.

Gather a hosting zone

Collect everything you use only when guests come and keep it together on one shelf or in one cabinet. Setting the table then means visiting one place instead of five.

• Serving platters, bowls and utensils
• Napkins, placemats and table linens
• Candles, a lighter and any table decorations
• Extra glasses and a pitcher

Set up a baking shelf

Put flour, sugar, baking powder, spices, sprinkles, parchment and cookie cutters together on one pantry shelf or in one bin. You will see what you have before you shop, and baking day starts without a search.

Reset the fridge before the big shop

A week before, use up what you can and wipe down the shelves. Clear one shelf for make-ahead dishes and label it, so nobody snacks on the party platter.

Make room for guests' things

A few empty hooks or a basket near the entry gives coats, bags and shoes a place to land, so they do not end up on the kitchen chairs.

Plan the cleanup

Empty the dishwasher before guests arrive, keep a stack of matched containers and lids ready for sending leftovers home, and set out a clear spot for recycling. The evening ends calmer when the reset is already planned.