The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Angie at Echoes of Laughter.
Hello Org Junkie readers! I am so happy to be visiting with you today! Can you believe that the BIG holiday is just weeks away? I want to share with you an organizing project that I worked on this week…and that is getting my kitchen organized for one of the biggest food holidays in all the land-Christmas! It is my firm belief that November is about organizing for Christmas and December is about enjoying Christmas. So I make an effort to tackle something Christmas-related every week of November so that by the end of the month, I have lots of Christmas tasks completed! This week’s goal was to go through my cupboards and pantry to take inventory of what was needed for this year’s Christmas baking projects, special treats and snacks, as well as getting out the dishes and other fun things. Here’s what I did this week:
The first thing I took stock of was baking items. I quickly made a list of the things that I make every year and then I checked to see what ingredients I had and what I needed to buy. I added things needed to my grocery list and threw away anything that looked old and past it’s due date. Next I went grocery shopping and purchased baking supplies, things for hot chocolate and special editions of products that we like as a little Christmas treat.
Here is a look at some of the items I purchased for my baking projects…mini-loaf pans, cupcake liners and flags, candy melts and sprinkles. I placed all the Christmas baking items together in one spot in the pantry for easy access including cookie cutters, sprinkles, frosting, and chocolate chips, etc.
Next I stocked up on things for Christmas drinks and got out our Christmas dishes, mugs, paper napkins, cloth napkins and serving dishes. I pulled out Christmas coloured paper straws and gathered up marshmallows and hot chocolate too. Now we are all ready for Christmas drinks!
And as part of my grocery shop, I picked up some special edition treats, including crackers and chocolate, before they are all sold out…and then like any good mother I hid everything by placing them in a rubber tote so they will actually be around come Christmas vacation! {This mom has learned a few things over the years because not only do we hide Halloween candy in this house, but we hide Christmas treats too!} And as Christmas gets closer, I will organize and grocery shop again for things like appetizers and Christmas dinner.
Now that I have taken the time to organize my kitchen for Christmas, I feel so much better knowing that when time allows and inspiration strikes, I will have whatever is needed to whip up a batch of something or other in the kitchen. And it’s also a Christmas task that I can cross off of my list. Now I can move on to things like getting Christmas cards ready and getting the shopping and wrapping completed. It is so much better to tackle things in small steps than to be all of a sudden overwhelmed with a huge to-do list.
I hope you take some time this week to organize something that is on your mind. Trust me, you will feel so much better if you do!
Thank you so much for being here with me today and I wish you much merry-making in the weeks to come!
Angie’s blog, Echoes of Laughter, is all about filling your home with love and laughter. She loves creative projects, organizing & decorating, cooking, baking, and all things domestic. Angie lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and two great kids.
Linking up:
Becky L says
Good ideas there, Angie. I really think I need a couple more Christmas mugs. I actually bought one at a craft/Christmas sale, that was second hand….cute trees and snowmen. My daughter and I are tea and hot cocoa (her) drinkers. But then where do I put them when it’s not Christmas? Sigh! A couple more would be fun tho and I really like yours. I’ve been married 36 years so sometimes I think I don’t need more stuff either. But Christmas is my fav holiday! I have got Ghiradelli chocolate chips (milk chocolate) that I use for making fudge, a must have!! Jumped at the chance and grabbed 2 of my fav Celestial Seasonings Nutcracker Sweet tea. One year I saw it once then never more that year and I had only one box. Take care! http://grandmabeckyl.blogspot.com
Angie@Echoes of Laughter says
Thank you so much Becky! You are so sweet! I agree that Ghiradelli chocolate is so yummy! Have a wonderful Christmas! Angie xo
Andrea says
WHERE did you get those awesome mugs!??
Adrienne says
I second this, where did you find those mugs Angie?? They’re gorgeous!
Laura says
Angie got them at Safeway here in Canada 🙂
Nicole says
What are the projects for the other weeks please?
Beverley says
This is such a great idea! I have to admit that I’m one of those who slack off and tend to get everything a few days before Christmas. Getting them on a weekly basis will definitely be less stressful.
Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids says
Great post! I need to do something like this soon. Lots of great ideas and tips. Thanks.