A holiday readiness plan can relieve this prep-stress, help you stay focused and ensure you've covered all the important items. As you progress through this list and resources, you'll be amazed at what you will accomplish and you'll actually have fun getting ready for those special days. This checklist is a good plan for hosting any event, any time of the year. Just ignore sections that don't apply to your particular event.
We have convenient appliances, kitchen tools and accessories that are not only time-savers but are fun to use. But in the rush to get things done, we often forget to even take them out and let them do the work for us. You may even learn a new way to use your appliances and kitchen tools. So, let's get started!
Gift Decisions & Wrapping
Holiday or Special Event Baking
Decide on what recipes you'll be making and remember to include a favorite for each member of your family. Focus on the minimum you need to provide an assortment of cookies, squares and treats. You can add more variety if time allows. Start with the baking that should be made ahead for optimum flavor such as fruit cakes or meat pies. Ensure you have all the bakeware and tools that will be required. Make use of bundt, flan or spring-form pans, shaped muffin tins and silicone bakeware. Here are a few helpful bakeware resources:
- Cake Decorating Supplies & Accessories
- Valentine Bakeware & Accessories
- Kitchenware & Accessories Resources
- Rosette Tools & How to Use Them
- Cookie Presses & Cutters
- Chocolatiere Chocolate Melting Pot
- Silicone Baking Tools
- Silicone Bakeware Basics
- Bundt Pans - Add Fun & Style to Your Baking
- Bundt Basics
- Kitchen Timers That Double Up
- Spring-Action Steel Scoops - Handier for More Than Ice Cream
- Kitchen Gadgets & Tools
- About cook's Holiday Baking Recipes Compare Prices of Bakeware
When your schedule is just too hectic, buying ready-to-serve desserts and breads can save a lot of time and reduce hosting stress. In some cases, it is no longer cheaper to make it yourself. Some recipes call for several ingredients and buying the cake or dessert already made, may be easier on your budget.
Compare Prices of Desserts
Compare Prices of Gift Baskets
Food Serving & Storage
- Prepare food storage areas by organizing your freezer and pantry
Clean, Store & Organize Your Home
Freezer Care & Mtce
- Wash and ready dessert platters, plates and pickle trays.
Compare Prices of Trays - Prepare a couple of ready-to-serve plates filled with an assortment of baking, cover and freeze.
- You'll need storage containers for baking, meal left-overs and guest take-home goodies.
Compare Prices of Food Storage Containers - Old tin boxes make good cookie storage containers.
- Check your supply of waxed paper, liner, foil, plastic wrap, napkins and trash bags
- Organize and clean the house once the baking is mostly done.
- Clean your range oven before you start cooking.
- Organize your kitchen. You can work more efficiently in a well organized kitchen area.
- Clean your refrigerator.
- Eliminate counter clutter and allow at least two work spaces; large meals always require more prep space.
- De-clutter dining area and plan for sufficient seating.
- Is there sufficient table space for buffet serving? If not consider adding a folding table.
- Overnight guests coming? Get the guest room ready.
- Some great Cleaning & Hosting Tips for any hosting event, from SC Johnson:
Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Cleaning & When the Holidays End... - Decorate Your Home for the Holiday - Deck the table as well as the hall:
Compare Prices of Holiday Decorations
Compare Prices of Holiday Dinnerware
Compare Prices of Holiday Drinkware
Compare Prices of Thanksgiving Items
Compare Prices of Easter Items
Compare Prices of Hannukah Items
Compare Prices of Halloween Items
Compare Prices of Wedding Items
- Steps to an Organized Kitchen:
- Plastic Wrap Dispensers
- Folding Tables - Practical Solutions From Entertaining to Games
- Storage & Organization
- Before You Buy a Vacuum
- Robotic Vacuums
- Roasters, roasting ovens, lasagna pans
- Poultry lifters, baster or basting brush
- Cooking thermometer
- Sufficient cookware for your planned meals
- Servingware for vegetables and side dishes
- Fill salt and pepper shakers
- Maximize cooking stations by using electric skillets, crock-pots, roaster ovens, rice cookers, hot plates
- Buffet Servingware - Convenient Food Servers
- Tips on Using a Foil Roasting Pan
- Turkey Tools You'll Need
- Party Appliances
- Housewares for Large Gatherings
- Crockpot Scentsations - Wonderful Fragrances From Your Slowcooker
- Kitchenware & Accessories
- Cookware
- Top Picks of Stockpots
- Pressure Cookers - Real Time Savers
- 10 Ways to Ruin a Nonstick Pan
- Small Appliances
- Before You Buy a Roaster or Roasting Appliance
- Selecting a Lasagna Pan
- Top Picks of Lasagna Pans
- Poultry Lifters - Must Have Turkey Cooking Tools
- Gadgets You Never Knew You Always Wanted
- More Gadgets You Never Knew You Always Wanted
- Food Prep Tools
- Last Minute Tips for a Stress-Free Dinner
- Hosting Tips
