Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party this year, or the big day is being held at your house, or you just need to create some order during this busy season, getting your kitchen organised will provide you with that sense of calm. Today's post outlines 5 simple steps that will help you prepare for Christmas so you can use your kitchen more efficiently and feel more in control!

1 | CLEAR THE COUNTER-TOPS

There is nothing more frustrating than having clutter on your countertops, and having to constantly clear things out the way in order to prepare food or lay out dishes. One of the best ways to prepare for Christmas (and get your kitchen more organised) is to find a home for 'all the things' on your kitchen countertops.

The most common items that clutter up these flat surfaces are everyday essentials such as wallets, keys, glasses, bags etc; as well as paperwork and daily mail.

And the two best zones to create to combat this clutter are an organised entryway, and a command centre!

If time is limited (as it usually is during the busy season), find a temporary home elsewhere for these items - in a decorative basket, box, or in-tray - to provide yourself with more kitchen prep space. This will come in very handy when you’re preparing dishes, baking treats to give as presents, wrapping presents, or writing cards.

Check out the posts below to learn how to set up a family command centre and an organised entryway, and schedule into your calendar when you're going to make it happen in your own home! These organised zones save so much time and minimize stress on a daily basis - you'll definitely be appreciating all your hard work in the new year.

Related Posts: Organised entryway ideas for a calmer start to your day; A behind-the-scenes look at our sensational command centre

2 | PREPARE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLIES

During the festive season, you’re going to need quick access to your entertainment supplies, rather than having to search through cupboards and cabinets at the last minute! You'll want to have platters, large bowls, crockery, cutlery, tablecloths, napkins and decorative table items within easy reach.

Here’s where having those clear kitchen countertops can come in handy! If you’ve got the space, get these entertainment supplies out on your countertops before your guests arrive, so they're ready on to go and you’re not rushing around looking for things in the middle of festivities.

I always like to set the table the night before, as this can be a time-consuming step, and it's nice to be able to take your time with it.

Related Post: How to organise a storage cupboard

3 | RE-ORDER YOUR FRIDGE

You’re going to need some clear space in your fridge to hold all the items for Christmas lunch or dinner, or all that party food. Whether you’re pre-preparing the dishes, or family members are bringing something that will need to be stored in the fridge, you'll need some extra room.

In the lead-up to a party or Christmas Day, try and use up as many of the fridge supplies as possible to create extra storage space.

On the day, remove what still remains, and give the shelves a good wipe-down. Create space by transferring food items out of containers and putting them in zip-lock bags; storing them in the crisper; or placing all loose items in a plastic basket or tub that that can sit on the bottom shelf out of the way.

Related Post: 10 steps to getting your fridge organised

4 | ORGANISE YOUR FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS

It’s likely there’s going to be leftover food from your party/lunch/dinner, so it pays to get your food storage containers organised now so they're ready to be used. If you’re going to give guests leftovers to take home, stock up on some cheap containers from the dollar store that you won’t need back.

With your own container collection, do a big declutter and get rid of any containers that are missing their lids, chipped or cracked, misshapen, an inconvenient size or ones that you rarely use. Be as ruthless as you can with this decluttering, as food storage containers can often be taking up more space in your kitchen than you realise!

With the keepers, stack them by shape and/or size in a drawer or cabinet, and keep the lids separate in a labelled box or basket so you can easily find a matching set when you're packing up leftovers. 

Related Post: The step-by-step guide to organising your food storage containers

5 | MAKE CLEAN-UP A BREEZE

There’s no doubt that celebrations of any kind create a mess, and here's where having an organised kitchen can make clean-up quicker and less painful! 

Have a stack of clean tea-towels ready to go, and stock up on your cleaning supplies - dishwasher tablets/powder, washing-up gloves, dishwashing liquid, sponges and bin bags.

Make sure the dishwasher has been emptied before guests arrive. Clear those countertops so you can stack dirty dishes near the sink, and also lay down a tea-towel to hold extra dishes that you’ve hand-washed.

Related Post: The magic solution for a more organised kitchen

Just a few simple adjustments in your kitchen can really make the whole day run more smoothly and minimize your stress so you can actually enjoy the celebrations!

If you’re looking to get your kitchen more organised in order to save time and energy, not just at this busy time but all year round, then check out Clever Kitchens!

The detailed, step-by-step guide and video workshop will show you how to declutter and organise everything in your kitchen - from the cabinets, drawers, pantry, fridge, freezer and more.

I'll also show you behind-the-scenes of how I've set up my own kitchen, and the storage solutions I've used to create a calm and organised space where everything is easy to find and access. I'll show you how this can be possible in your own kitchen too! 

Having an organised kitchen really can be life-changing - not only in terms of how it can make you feel, but also the amount of stress, time, energy and money you can save yourself on a daily basis!