The holiday season brings warmth, joy, and the delicious aroma of baking. It also brings a flurry of activity to the kitchen. From preparing festive feasts to baking batches of cookies, our workspaces can quickly become cluttered and chaotic.
This chaos can turn a joyful activity into a stressful one. Finding the right measuring spoon or clearing enough counter space to roll out dough becomes a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A few simple organization strategies can transform your kitchen into a streamlined hub for all your holiday creations.
These 40 hacks are designed to bring order and efficiency to your space. They are simple, practical, and many can be done with items you already own. Get ready to make this your most enjoyable and stress-free holiday season in the kitchen yet.
1. Color-Coded Cutting Board System
Holiday meal prep often involves handling different types of food at once, from raw meat to fresh vegetables. A color-coded cutting board system is a smart way to prevent cross-contamination.
Each color is designated for a specific food group—like red for meats, green for vegetables, and blue for fish. This simple visual cue helps keep your cooking process safe and organized. The set usually comes with a neat storage stand, which keeps your boards upright and dry, and your countertop clutter-free. This approach is a cornerstone of a well-managed kitchen.
DIY Instructions: Make Your Own Color-Coded System
Step 1: Gather Your Boards You will need several cutting boards. If you don’t have boards of different colors, you can use colored tape or food-safe markers to create your own system.
Step 2: Assign a Color to Each Food Group Decide which color will be for which type of food. A common system is:
- Red: Raw Meat
- Green: Fruits & Vegetables
- Blue: Seafood
- White: Dairy & Breads
Step 3: Mark Your Boards If your boards aren’t already colored, you can add a small piece of colored electrical tape to the corner of each one. Or, you can use a food-safe permanent marker to draw a small, colored square in the corner.
Step 4: Create a Storage Stand Find a simple dish drying rack or a file organizer. This will work as a stand to hold your cutting boards upright.
Step 5: Use Your System Every time you cook, be sure to use the correct board for each type of food. This will help keep your kitchen clean and your food safe.
2. Tiered Stand for Baked Goods
Counter space is precious, especially when you have an array of holiday treats to display. A tiered stand is a brilliant way to showcase your baked goods without taking up a large footprint.
This vertical server allows you to present cupcakes, cookies, and muffins in an attractive, organized manner. It draws the eye upward, creating a beautiful centerpiece for your dessert table. Using a tiered stand makes your treats easily accessible to guests and adds a touch of elegance to your holiday spread. It’s a simple solution for both serving and saving space.
DIY Instructions: Make a Rustic Tiered Tray
Step 1: Find Your Tiers You will need two or three round metal or wood trays of different sizes (small, medium, and large). You can often find these at a craft or home goods store.
Step 2: Create the Spacers You will need two sturdy candle holders or short wooden blocks to go between the layers. Make sure they are the same height.
Step 3: Build the First Layer Take your largest tray and place it on the table. Use a strong, clear glue (like E6000 or a hot glue gun) to attach one of the candle holders to the very center of the large tray.
Step 4: Add the Next Layer Put glue on the top rim of the candle holder. Carefully place the medium-sized tray on top, making sure it is centered. Press down gently.
Step 5: Finish the Top Tier Glue the second candle holder to the center of the medium tray. Then, glue the smallest tray on top of that. Let the whole thing dry completely before you use it.
3. Vertical Lid and Tin Storage
Holiday cookie tins and their matching lids can create a chaotic avalanche in your cabinets. Storing them vertically is a simple way to keep them organized and easy to access.
By using a simple wire rack, like a dish drainer or a file sorter, you can create individual slots for each lid and tin. This prevents you from having to unstack a wobbly tower just to find the one you need. Everything is visible and within reach, making your holiday baking and treat-giving much more streamlined.
DIY Instructions: Build a Simple Lid Organizer
Step 1: Get a Wire Rack You will need a basic wire dish rack or a metal file organizer from an office supply store.
Step 2: Clear a Shelf Find a spot in your pantry or cabinet for your new organizer. Make sure the shelf is tall enough to fit your largest tins standing up.
Step 3: Set it Up Place the wire rack on the shelf. That’s it! There is no building required.
Step 4: Organize Your Lids and Tins Take your cookie tin lids and slide them into the slots of the rack, just like you would with plates or folders.
Step 5: Stack the Tins Nearby You can now stack the bases of the cookie tins neatly next to the rack of lids. When you need a tin, you can easily grab a base and its matching lid without any fuss.
4. Festive Hot Cocoa Bar
A hot cocoa bar is a delightful addition to any holiday gathering, offering guests a warm and customizable treat. It’s a fun, interactive station that encourages mingling.
Set up a corner of your kitchen with all the essentials. Use clear jars to display marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint. A tiered tray can hold mugs and extra toppings. A small chalkboard sign adds a charming, personal touch. This organized and inviting setup makes it easy for guests to create their own cozy beverage.
DIY Instructions: Create Your Own Cocoa Station
Step 1: Choose Your Spot Find a small table or a clear section of your countertop for your hot cocoa bar.
Step 2: Gather Your Jars You will need several clear glass jars with lids. You can use mason jars or any other type of kitchen canister.
Step 3: Fill Your Jars with Toppings Fill each jar with a different topping. Some great ideas are:
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel bits
- Crushed peppermint candies
- Sprinkles
Step 4: Set Out the Essentials You will need hot cocoa mix (in another jar), a thermos of hot water or milk, mugs, and spoons. A tiered tray is a nice way to display the mugs.
Step 5: Add a Sign Get a small chalkboard and write “Hot Cocoa Bar” on it. This makes the station look inviting. You can also add small labels to your jars so guests know what everything is.
5. Cabinet Turntables for Oils and Vinegars
Cabinets filled with bottles of oils, vinegars, and extracts can quickly become disorganized. A lazy Susan, or turntable, is a simple yet effective tool to solve this problem.
By placing your bottles on a rotating tray, you eliminate the need to dig through the cabinet to find what’s hidden in the back. A quick spin brings everything into view. This not only saves you time but also helps you keep track of what you have, preventing you from buying duplicates. It’s a small change that makes a big impact on your cabinet’s functionality.
DIY Instructions: Set Up a Spinning Shelf
Step 1: Measure Your Cabinet Before you buy anything, measure the depth and width of your cabinet shelf. This will tell you what size turntable you can fit inside.
Step 2: Get a Lazy Susan Purchase a simple lazy Susan from a home goods store. A plastic or marble one is a good choice for a kitchen cabinet as they are easy to clean.
Step 3: Clean and Organize Take all the bottles out of your cabinet and give the shelf a good wipe. Check the expiration dates on your oils and vinegars and throw away any that are old.
Step 4: Place the Turntable Inside Put the lazy Susan in the center of the shelf.
Step 5: Arrange Your Bottles Place your bottles of oil, vinegar, and other cooking liquids on the turntable. Now, when you need something from the back, you can just give it a little spin!
6. Over-the-Sink Workstation
Counter space is always in high demand during holiday meal prep. An over-the-sink cutting board is a genius way to create an extra work surface right where you need it most.
This specialized board fits securely over your sink, providing a stable area for chopping vegetables or trimming meat. Many models include a built-in colander, making it easy to rinse produce as you chop. This streamlines the food prep process, keeps your main counters free, and makes cleanup much more efficient.
DIY Instructions: Make a Simple Sink Cover
Step 1: Measure Your Sink Use a tape measure to find the length and width of the opening of your sink. Write these numbers down.
Step 2: Get a Large Cutting Board Go to a home goods store and find a large, sturdy wooden or plastic cutting board. Using your measurements, make sure the board is wide enough and long enough to completely cover your sink opening with at least an inch of overlap on all sides.
Step 3: Add Grips for Safety To make sure your new board doesn’t slip, you can add some non-slip grips to the bottom. You can buy small, rubber adhesive dots (like cabinet bumpers) and stick four of them on the bottom of the board, one in each corner.
Step 4: Your New Workspace is Ready Place the cutting board over your sink. The rubber dots will help hold it in place. Now you have a new surface for chopping, and you can sweep any scraps directly into the sink or a compost bowl below.
7. Magnetic Freezer Inventory List
During the holidays, your freezer is likely packed with pre-made cookie dough, pie crusts, and leftovers. A freezer inventory list is a simple way to keep track of it all.
A magnetic dry-erase board on your freezer door allows you to jot down what you have and erase items as you use them. This helps you remember what’s inside without having to open the door and search. It reduces food waste and makes your holiday meal planning much more efficient.
DIY Instructions: Make a Freezer Whiteboard
Step 1: Get a Magnetic Sheet You can buy a thin, magnetic whiteboard or a sheet of magnetic vinyl from a craft store. Make sure it has a white, glossy surface that you can write on.
Step 2: Decorate it (Optional) If you want to make it festive, you can use colored permanent markers to draw a holiday border around the edges of your magnetic sheet. You could draw holly, snowflakes, or little Christmas trees.
Step 3: Add Categories Use a ruler and a permanent marker to create a simple chart. You could have columns for “Item,” “Date Made,” and “Quantity.”
Step 4: Stick it to the Fridge Place your new inventory list on the front of your freezer. The magnet will hold it in place.
Step 5: Keep it Updated Attach a dry-erase marker to the freezer with a small magnetic clip. Every time you put something in the freezer, write it down. When you take something out, erase it from the list.
8. DIY Dough Proofing Box
Baking bread for the holidays requires a warm, draft-free place for the dough to rise, which can be hard to find in a chilly kitchen. You can easily turn a cabinet into a temporary proofing box.
By placing a bowl of hot, steaming water on the shelf below your dough, you create a warm and humid environment. This gentle heat helps the yeast to activate, ensuring a good rise. A small, battery-operated light can add a little extra warmth. This simple hack provides the consistent temperature your dough needs to become light and airy.
DIY Instructions: Create a Warm Spot for Dough
Step 1: Choose a Cabinet Find a cabinet in your kitchen that is mostly empty and away from any cold drafts, like from a window or a door.
Step 2: Boil Some Water Heat up a few cups of water in a kettle or on the stove until it is steaming.
Step 3: Create a Humid Environment Pour the hot water into a heat-safe bowl. Place this bowl on the bottom shelf of your chosen cabinet.
Step 4: Place Your Dough Inside Put your bowl of dough, covered with a clean towel, on the shelf right above the bowl of hot water.
Step 5: Close the Door Close the cabinet door. The steam from the hot water will create a warm, moist space that is great for helping your dough rise. Check on it after about an hour to see how much it has grown.
9. Refrigerator Lazy Susan
Just like in a cabinet, a lazy Susan can be a revolutionary tool for organizing your refrigerator. Jars of pickles, olives, and jams can easily get lost in the back of the fridge.
A turntable makes everything easily accessible with a simple spin. This allows you to see everything you have at a glance, preventing forgotten leftovers and half-used jars from going to waste. It’s an inexpensive and highly effective way to keep your refrigerator shelves tidy and your ingredients within reach.
DIY Instructions: Organize Your Fridge with a Turntable
Step 1: Measure Your Fridge Shelf Before you do anything, measure the depth of your refrigerator shelf. This will tell you how big your lazy Susan can be.
Step 2: Get a Turntable Purchase a lazy Susan that is a bit smaller than your shelf depth. A clear plastic one is a good choice for the fridge because it’s easy to see through and simple to clean.
Step 3: Clean and Sort Take all the jars and condiments out of your fridge. Wipe down the shelf so it’s clean. Check the dates on everything and throw away any old items.
Step 4: Place and Load Put the lazy Susan on the clean shelf. Arrange your jars of pickles, jams, mustard, and other condiments on top of it.
Step 5: Spin to Find Now, instead of having to reach all the way to the back of the fridge, you can just turn the lazy Susan to find what you’re looking for.
10. Holiday Baking Drawer
Holiday baking requires a specific set of tools, from cookie scoops to festive spatulas. Dedicating one drawer to these seasonal items keeps them organized and easy to find.
Use adjustable drawer dividers to create custom compartments for your whisks, measuring spoons, and decorating tools. A festive drawer liner can add a touch of holiday cheer. This simple system prevents you from having to rummage through multiple drawers to find what you need, making your baking process much more efficient and enjoyable.
DIY Instructions: Make a Seasonal Baking Kit
Step 1: Choose a Drawer Pick a kitchen drawer that you can use just for your special holiday baking tools.
Step 2: Empty and Clean It Take everything out of the drawer and give it a good wipe.
Step 3: Add a Festive Liner Cut a piece of festive wrapping paper or shelf liner to fit the bottom of the drawer. This simple touch will make you smile every time you open it.
Step 4: Use Drawer Dividers You can buy inexpensive plastic or bamboo drawer dividers that expand to fit your drawer. Use them to create different sections for your tools.
Step 5: Organize Your Tools Put all your holiday baking supplies into their new home. You can have a section for cookie cutters, another for piping bags and tips, and another for special holiday-themed spatulas. Now everything is in one place, ready for your next baking project.
11. Vertical Bakeware Organizer
Stacks of baking sheets, muffin tins, and cutting boards can quickly become a leaning tower of kitchen chaos. Finding the one you need often means pulling the whole stack out. A vertical organizer is a simple solution to this common problem.
This tool works like a file folder for your bakeware, creating individual slots for each item. You can easily see and grab exactly what you need without causing an avalanche. It maximizes your cabinet space, turning a messy pile into a tidy and functional storage area. This makes starting your next baking project faster and much more enjoyable.
DIY Instructions: Build a Simple Bakeware Organizer
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies You will need several tension rods—the kind that twist to fit snugly between two surfaces. Make sure they are strong enough to support your bakeware.
Step 2: Measure Your Cabinet Measure the height of the cabinet where you want to store your baking sheets. Adjust your tension rods so they are just a little longer than this height.
Step 3: Install the Rods Place the first tension rod vertically inside the cabinet, a few inches from the side wall. Compress it slightly, position it, and let it expand to create a tight fit between the top and bottom of the cabinet.
Step 4: Create More Slots Install another tension rod a few inches away from the first one. Continue adding rods, leaving enough space between each one to slide a baking sheet, muffin tin, or cutting board.
Step 5: Organize Your Bakeware Slide your bakeware items into the slots you created. Now everything is stored upright, making it easy to grab what you need.
12. Holiday Dishware Display Cabinet
Your special holiday dishes are beautiful, so don’t hide them away. Turning a kitchen cabinet into a display case adds a festive touch to your decor and makes setting the table much easier.
By using simple plate stands and stacking bowls neatly, you can arrange your dinnerware like a work of art. This keeps your special occasion pieces safe and organized. It also frees up drawer and pantry space for other holiday essentials. Guests will admire the thoughtful presentation, and you’ll enjoy how simple it is to grab what you need for a festive meal.
DIY Instructions: Style Your Dish Cabinet
Step 1: Choose and Clean Your Cabinet Select a cabinet for your display, preferably one with glass doors. Empty it out and give the shelves and glass a good cleaning.
Step 2: Use Plate Stands for Large Items Place your large dinner plates and smaller salad plates on decorative plate stands. This allows them to stand up safely at the back of the cabinet, showing off their festive patterns.
Step 3: Stack Bowls and Mugs Neatly stack your soup bowls in a short, stable pile. If you have matching mugs, you can stack them in pairs or line them up in a row.
Step 4: Arrange Serving Pieces Place larger items like gravy boats, serving bowls, and platters artfully around the plates. A small cake stand can be used to add height and display a small decorative piece or a special bowl.
Step 5: Add a Festive Touch For a final touch, you can add a small sprig of faux pine or a few festive ornaments to an empty space on a shelf.
13. Restaurant-Style Dish Tub System
After a big holiday meal, the last thing anyone wants to face is a mountain of dirty dishes piled precariously in the sink. A restaurant-style dish tub system is a smart way to manage the cleanup process efficiently.
This method keeps your sink free for rinsing and washing. As guests finish eating, they can place their plates and silverware into a designated tub. This keeps the mess contained and makes it easier to transport dishes to the dishwasher. It’s a simple strategy that streamlines your cleanup, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the company of your guests.
DIY Instructions: Set Up a Dish Tub Station
Step 1: Get Two Wash Bins You will need two sturdy plastic tubs or bins. You can find these at most dollar stores or home goods stores. Label one “Soak” and the other “Rinse.”
Step 2: Prepare the Soaking Bin Fill the “Soak” bin with a few inches of warm, soapy water. Place it on the counter next to your sink. As dishes come from the table, you can scrape any leftover food into the trash or compost and then place the dishes in this tub.
Step 3: Use the Second Bin for Rinsing The second bin can be used for items that just need a quick rinse before going into the dishwasher. Or, you can use it to carry the clean, wet dishes to a drying rack.
Step 4: Keep the Sink Clear This system helps keep your sink from getting clogged with dirty dishes, so you always have a space to wash your hands or fill a pot with water.
Step 5: Easy Cleanup When the party is over, you can either load the pre-soaked dishes into the dishwasher or wash them by hand. The whole process feels much more organized.
14. Countertop Compost Bowl
Holiday cooking and baking generate a lot of food scraps, from vegetable peels to eggshells. Making constant trips to the trash can or compost bin can interrupt your workflow. A countertop compost bowl is a simple and effective solution.
By keeping a dedicated bowl right on your cutting board, you can easily collect all your organic waste in one place. This keeps your prep area tidy and saves you time. When the bowl is full, you can make one single trip to your main compost bin. It’s a small change that makes a big impact on your kitchen’s cleanliness and efficiency.
DIY Instructions: Create a Countertop Scrap Station
Step 1: Find a Bowl Choose a medium-sized bowl that is easy to wash. It doesn’t have to be fancy—any simple bowl from your kitchen will work.
Step 2: Place it on Your Workspace When you start chopping vegetables or prepping other ingredients, place this bowl on the corner of your cutting board or right next to it.
Step 3: Collect Your Scraps As you work, toss all your food scraps—like potato peels, onion skins, carrot tops, and eggshells—directly into the bowl. This keeps your cutting board clean and clear.
Step 4: Empty as Needed When the bowl is full, or when you are finished with your prep, carry it over to your trash can or outdoor compost bin and empty it.
Step 5: Rinse and Repeat Give the bowl a quick rinse and it’s ready to be used again for your next cooking task.
15. Smart Glassware Cabinet Organization
Holiday entertaining often requires a variety of glassware, from wine glasses to tumblers. A cluttered cabinet can make it difficult to find what you need. Smart organization ensures every glass is accessible and stored safely.
Using under-shelf racks for stemmed glasses is a great way to double your storage space. Pull-out trays or simple serving trays can be used to group other glasses, making it easy to grab a whole set at once. This system not only looks neat but also protects your delicate glassware from chipping.
DIY Instructions: Organize Your Glassware
Step 1: Empty and Clean the Cabinet Take out all of your glasses and wipe down the inside of the cabinet. This is a good time to decide if there are any glasses you no longer use.
Step 2: Install Stemware Racks Measure the underside of your cabinet shelves. Purchase stemware racks that will fit and screw them into the bottom of the shelves according to the package instructions. You can now slide your wine glasses and champagne flutes into these racks.
Step 3: Use Trays for Tumblers Group your everyday drinking glasses, rocks glasses, and other tumblers onto shallow trays. This allows you to pull a whole set out at once when you need them.
Step 4: Arrange Everything Neatly Place your trays of glasses onto the shelves. Arrange any remaining glasses in neat rows, with taller glasses at the back. Now your cabinet is organized and everything is easy to find.
16. Guest Welcome and Refreshment Station
When guests arrive for a holiday gathering, they often come with bags, coats, and gifts. A designated welcome station by the door is a thoughtful touch that makes everyone feel comfortable right away.
Set up a few hooks for coats and provide a basket or bag for guests to place their personal items. You can also include a small basket with tissues and hand sanitizer. This small, organized area prevents a pile-up at the doorway and shows your guests that you’ve thought of their comfort. It’s a simple gesture of hospitality that sets a warm tone for your event.
DIY Instructions: Create a Welcoming Entryway
Step 1: Designate a Space Choose a small area near your front door. It could be a small bench, a section of a wall, or a small table.
Step 2: Add Hooks If you don’t already have them, install a few hooks on the wall for guests to hang their coats and scarves.
Step 3: Prepare a Guest Basket Find a nice basket or a sturdy tote bag. In it, you can place a box of tissues, a bottle of hand sanitizer, and even some extra napkins. You could also include a small sign that says “Welcome! Please make yourself at home.”
Step 4: Think About Personal Items Place another empty basket or bag nearby where guests can store their smaller personal items, like hats or gloves, so they don’t get lost.
Step 5: Set the Tone This simple station keeps your entryway from getting cluttered and makes your guests feel cared for from the moment they walk in.
17. Festive Stemware Charms
During a lively holiday party, it’s easy for guests to misplace their drinks. Simple, festive glass charms are a fun and practical way to help everyone keep track of their wine glass.
Instead of buying expensive charms, you can easily make your own using materials you likely already have at home. A small ribbon tied around the stem adds a pop of color and personality. This small detail prevents drink mix-ups and reduces the number of glasses you’ll have to wash at the end of the night.
DIY Instructions: Make Your Own Drink Markers
Step 1: Gather Your Ribbon Find some thin, colorful ribbon in festive colors like red, green, gold, or silver. You will need about 6 inches of ribbon for each glass.
Step 2: Cut the Ribbon Cut the ribbon into 6-inch pieces. Make sure you have enough for each of your guests. It’s helpful to use a variety of different colors or patterns.
Step 3: Add a Small Bell or Bead (Optional) If you want to make them extra special, you can thread a tiny jingle bell or a colorful bead onto the middle of each piece of ribbon before you tie it.
Step 4: Tie Them On Take one piece of ribbon and tie it in a simple bow around the stem of each wine glass, just below the bowl.
Step 5: Let Guests Choose As guests arrive, they can choose a glass with their favorite colored ribbon. This helps everyone easily identify their drink all night long.
18. All-in-One Bar and Appetizer Caddy
When you’re hosting a party, you want to be able to mingle with your guests, not run back and forth to the kitchen. An all-in-one caddy for your bar cart or appetizer station keeps everything you need within arm’s reach.
Use a simple basket with dividers to hold napkins, straws, small appetizer forks, and any other essentials. This keeps your serving area looking tidy and ensures guests can easily help themselves. It’s a simple organizational tool that allows you to be a more relaxed and present host.
DIY Instructions: Assemble a Party Caddy
Step 1: Find a Caddy Look for a shallow basket, a wooden box, or a tray with built-in dividers. A silverware caddy or a desk organizer can work well for this.
Step 2: Gather Your Party Essentials Collect all the small items you’ll need for serving drinks and snacks. This includes:
- Paper or cloth napkins
- Fun straws
- Small forks or toothpicks
- A bottle opener and corkscrew
- Place cards for labeling food
Step 3: Organize the Caddy Arrange your items neatly in the different compartments of the caddy. Put the napkins in one section, the straws in another, and so on.
Step 4: Add Food Labels Use small, blank cards and pens or markers to create labels for your appetizers. This helps guests know what they are eating, which is especially important for those with allergies. You can store these in your caddy too.
Step 5: Place it on Your Bar or Table Set your completed caddy on your bar cart or buffet table. Now everything is organized and ready for your guests to use.
19. Magnetic Measuring Spoon Holder
Measuring spoons have a habit of getting lost in cluttered kitchen drawers. A magnetic hook is a brilliantly simple way to keep your set together and always within reach.
By sticking a small, strong magnetic hook to the side of your refrigerator or another magnetic surface, you can hang your entire set of measuring spoons where you can see them. This frees up valuable drawer space and saves you from searching for the right size when you’re in the middle of a recipe. It’s a tiny change that makes a big difference in kitchen efficiency.
DIY Instructions: Create a Magnetic Spoon Hanger
Step 1: Get a Magnetic Hook You will need a small hook with a strong magnet on the back. You can find these at hardware stores or office supply stores.
Step 2: Find a Magnetic Surface The side of your refrigerator is a great spot. You could also use the side of a metal filing cabinet or a magnetic message board if you have one in your kitchen.
Step 3: Make Sure Your Spoons are on a Ring Most sets of measuring spoons come on a ring that keeps them together. If yours are separate, you can buy a small binder ring to link them together.
Step 4: Hang Them Up Stick the magnetic hook to your chosen surface. Hang your ring of measuring spoons on the hook.
Step 5: Easy Access Now your spoons are neatly stored and easy to grab whenever you are baking.
20. In-Drawer Charging Station
Holiday gatherings mean more family members and more devices that need charging. Cords and gadgets spread across countertops can create a cluttered and messy look. An in-drawer charging station is a clever way to hide the mess.
By placing a power strip inside a deep drawer, you can create a hidden hub for charging phones and tablets. This keeps your counters clear for cooking and entertaining. Using simple drawer dividers helps keep the devices and their cords organized. It’s a clean, modern solution to a common tech problem.
DIY Instructions: Make Your Own Charging Drawer
Step 1: Choose a Drawer Find a drawer in your kitchen or living area that is deep enough to hold a power strip and your devices. Make sure it’s a drawer you don’t need for everyday essentials.
Step 2: Create an Opening for the Cord You will need to make a small hole in the back of the drawer for the power strip’s cord to pass through. Ask a grown-up for help with this step. They can use a drill with a wide bit to carefully make a hole about the size of a quarter in the back panel of the drawer.
Step 3: Secure the Power Strip Place the power strip inside the drawer. You can use removable adhesive strips to secure it to the bottom or back of the drawer so it doesn’t slide around.
Step 4: Thread the Cord Feed the plug of the power strip through the hole you created. Pull it all the way through and plug it into a nearby wall outlet.
Step 5: Add Dividers and Charge You can place small drawer dividers or small boxes inside the drawer to create separate spots for each phone. Now you can plug in your devices, close the drawer, and let them charge out of sight.
21. Cabinet Door Cookie Cutter Display
Holiday baking often involves a wonderful collection of cookie cutters in all shapes and sizes. Tossing them into a drawer or bin can lead to a tangled mess, making it hard to find the gingerbread man or snowflake you need.
Using the inside of a cabinet door is a smart way to reclaim unused space. A simple pegboard turns this hidden surface into an organized display. You can hang each cookie cutter on its own hook, making them easy to see and grab. This method also protects them from getting bent or damaged.
DIY Instructions: Create a Cabinet Door Organizer
Step 1: Get Your Supplies You will need a small pegboard that fits the inside of your cabinet door, a few screws, and some small pegboard hooks. You might also need some strong double-sided mounting tape.
Step 2: Measure Your Cabinet Door Measure the flat, inner panel of your cabinet door to see how big your pegboard can be. Make sure to leave about an inch of space around the edges so the door can close properly.
Step 3: Attach the Pegboard The easiest way to attach the pegboard is with strong, double-sided mounting tape. Apply strips of tape to all four edges on the back of the pegboard. Press it firmly onto the inside of the cabinet door. For a stronger hold, ask a grown-up to help you secure it with short screws.
Step 4: Add the Hooks Insert the small pegboard hooks into the holes on the board. You can arrange them however you like to fit your cookie cutters.
Step 5: Hang Your Cookie Cutters Hang your cookie cutters on the hooks. You can group them by theme, like all the Christmas shapes together. Now your collection is neat and tidy!
22. DIY Holiday Spice Kits
Certain holiday recipes call for special spice blends, like mulling spices for cider or a mix for gingerbread cookies. Creating small, pre-mixed spice kits saves you time during busy baking sessions.
These kits are also wonderful homemade gifts for friends and neighbors. You can portion out whole cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks into small tins or bags. Label them clearly so you know what each blend is for. This thoughtful preparation makes the baking process smoother and more enjoyable.
DIY Instructions: Make Your Own Spice Mix Tins
Step 1: Gather Your Spices and Containers You will need your favorite whole or ground spices, like cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and cardamom. You’ll also need small, clean tins with lids or small resealable plastic bags.
Step 2: Decide on Your Blends Think about the recipes you make most often. You could make a “Gingerbread Spice” mix (cinnamon, ginger, cloves) or a “Mulled Cider” kit (cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice berries).
Step 3: Portion the Spices Carefully measure and pour your spice blends into the tins or bags. If you are making a kit with whole spices, you can place them neatly inside. A small plastic divider can help keep different spices separate within one tin.
Step 4: Create Pretty Labels Use a sticker or a small piece of paper to make a label for each container. Write the name of the spice blend on it. You can even decorate the tins with a festive ribbon.
Step 5: Store or Gift Them Store your spice kits in a cool, dark place. They are now ready to use for your own baking or to give as thoughtful, handmade holiday gifts.
23. Heavy Appliance Sliding Shelf
Heavy kitchen appliances like stand mixers and coffee makers can be difficult to lift and move, especially when they are stored in a deep cabinet. A pull-out shelf is a fantastic solution that makes accessing them effortless.
This sliding platform brings the appliance directly to you, saving you from having to bend and reach into the back of the cabinet. It makes your kitchen more accessible and protects your back from heavy lifting. This is a very helpful upgrade for any kitchen, especially when you’re using these bulky tools frequently during the holidays.
DIY Instructions: Install a Simple Sliding Shelf
Step 1: Get a Sliding Shelf Kit You can buy a pre-made sliding shelf kit from a hardware store. These kits come with the shelf and the sliding tracks, along with all the screws you will need.
Step 2: Empty the Cabinet Take everything out of the cabinet where you want to install the shelf. Make sure the bottom surface is clean.
Step 3: Install the Sliding Tracks The kit will have two tracks. Ask a grown-up to help you with this part. They will need to place the tracks on the bottom of the cabinet, one on the left and one on the right, and use a drill to screw them into place. Make sure they are parallel, like train tracks.
Step 4: Attach the Shelf The shelf or basket that came with the kit will click or slide into the tracks. Follow the kit’s instructions to attach it securely.
Step 5: Test it Out Gently pull the shelf out and push it back in to make sure it slides smoothly. Now you can place your heavy mixer or coffee machine on it for easy access.
24. Gift Wrap Ribbon Dispenser
Wrapping holiday gifts can take over your kitchen. Spools of ribbon and twine can easily roll away and get tangled. A paper towel holder can be cleverly repurposed into a handy ribbon dispenser.
This simple tool keeps your spools of ribbon and baker’s twine neat and tidy. You can easily pull and cut the length you need without the spools rolling all over the counter. It’s a small trick that makes the gift-wrapping process much more efficient and less messy.
DIY Instructions: Make a Ribbon Holder
Step 1: Find a Paper Towel Holder You will need a standard, upright paper towel holder. The kind with a center post works best.
Step 2: Gather Your Ribbon Collect all your spools of holiday ribbon and baker’s twine.
Step 3: Stack the Spools Unscrew the top of the paper towel holder. Slide your spools of ribbon down onto the center post. You can stack several on top of each other.
Step 4: Secure the Spools Once all your spools are on the holder, screw the top piece back on. This will keep them from falling off.
Step 5: Ready to Wrap Place your new ribbon dispenser on your gift-wrapping station. Now you can pull the end of any ribbon to get the amount you need. The spools will spin in place without getting tangled.
25. First-In, First-Out Can Rack
Holiday recipes often call for canned goods like pumpkin puree, cranberry sauce, and broth. It’s important to use the older cans before you open the new ones. A gravity-fed can rack makes this easy.
This type of organizer ensures that you are always rotating your stock. You load new cans in from the top, and they roll to the front. You grab the can you need from the bottom, which is always the oldest one. This system helps reduce food waste and keeps your pantry neat and organized.
DIY Instructions: Set Up Your Can System
Step 1: Get a Can Organizer Purchase a can organizer rack from a home goods store. These are specially designed to let cans roll forward as you take one.
Step 2: Check Your Cans Gather all your canned goods. Look at the expiration dates on the bottom of each can. Place the cans that will expire soonest at the front of your group.
Step 3: Load the Rack Place your can rack on your pantry shelf. Start loading your cans into the top level of the rack. Put the cans with the furthest expiration dates in first. The cans that need to be used sooner should go in last.
Step 4: How it Works When you need a can of pumpkin, for example, you will take one from the bottom front of the rack. The other cans of pumpkin will then roll forward to take its place.
Step 5: Reloading When you buy new cans from the store, you will add them to the top back of the rack. This way, the older cans are always used first.
26. Festive DIY Drawer Dividers
Holiday entertaining means your silverware drawer gets a lot of use. You can add a simple, festive touch by creating your own custom drawer dividers.
Using sturdy cardboard and some cheerful holiday fabric or wrapping paper, you can make compartments that are sized for your specific utensils. This is an inexpensive way to bring a bit of holiday cheer to an often-overlooked space. It’s a fun craft project that also makes your drawer much more organized.
DIY Instructions: Make Fabric Drawer Dividers
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies You will need a few pieces of sturdy cardboard, some festive fabric or wrapping paper, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, and a hot glue gun.
Step 2: Measure and Cut Cardboard Measure the inside of your drawer (width, length, and height). Cut pieces of cardboard to create the walls for your dividers. You will need one long piece for the center and a few shorter pieces to go across.
Step 3: Cover the Dividers Cut your fabric or wrapping paper so it’s large enough to wrap around each piece of cardboard, like you are wrapping a present. Use a hot glue gun to secure the fabric neatly around the cardboard pieces.
Step 4: Assemble the Dividers Cut a small slit halfway through the bottom of your short divider pieces and halfway through the top of your long divider piece. This will allow them to lock together like puzzle pieces.
Step 5: Place in the Drawer Fit your new, decorated dividers into the drawer. They should fit snugly. Now you have custom-sized compartments for your forks, spoons, knives, and serving utensils.
27. Pre-Party Appetizer Staging
One of the biggest challenges of hosting is having all the food ready at the same time. You can reduce last-minute stress by preparing your appetizers ahead of time and staging them in the refrigerator.
Chop your vegetables, assemble your bruschetta, and arrange everything on baking sheets or platters. Cover them with plastic wrap and store them in the fridge. When your guests arrive, all you have to do is pull them out and serve. This “mise en place” approach keeps you from being stuck in the kitchen and allows you to enjoy your own party.
DIY Instructions: Prep Your Party Food
Step 1: Make a Plan A day or two before your party, write down a list of all the appetizers you plan to make. Note which steps can be done in advance. For example, you can chop onions, wash lettuce, or mix dips.
Step 2: Prep Your Ingredients The morning of your party, do all your chopping. Place chopped herbs and veggies into small bowls or containers. You can even assemble cold appetizers like stuffed mushrooms or bruschetta.
Step 3: Use Baking Sheets as Trays Line a few baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange your prepped appetizers on the sheets. This makes them easy to carry and store.
Step 4: Cover and Chill Cover each baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap. Carefully slide them onto the shelves in your refrigerator.
Step 5: Serve with Ease About 15 minutes before your guests are due to arrive, take your trays out of the fridge. Transfer the appetizers to your pretty serving platters. Your food is ready to go with no last-minute rush!
28. Fine China Protective Stacking
Your special holiday china is a treasured part of your celebrations, but improper storage can lead to scratches and chips. A simple and inexpensive item can provide the protection your dishes need.
Placing a soft divider between each plate is the key to safe stacking. You can use felt plate liners, but thick paper napkins or even standard coffee filters work wonderfully. This small cushion prevents the plates from grinding against each other. It’s an easy step that will keep your beautiful dishes safe for many holidays to come.
DIY Instructions: Protect Your Plates
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies You will need your clean and dry china plates and something soft to put between them. You can use felt liners, paper napkins, paper towels, or large, basket-style coffee filters.
Step 2: Start Your Stack Place your largest dinner plate on a flat, stable shelf in your cabinet.
Step 3: Add a Protective Layer Place one coffee filter, napkin, or felt liner directly in the center of the plate. Make sure it is flat.
Step 4: Stack the Next Plate Carefully place another plate of the same size on top of the protective layer. Repeat this process, adding a liner between each plate, until your stack is complete.
Step 5: Repeat for Other Sizes Do the same thing for your salad plates and your bowls. This simple trick will keep your special dishes from getting scratched.
29. Holiday Sprinkle Organizer
Baking holiday cookies is even more fun with a colorful assortment of sprinkles. But those little plastic containers can easily create clutter in your pantry. A craft organizer box is a great way to store them all in one place.
These boxes, which are often used for beads or fishing tackle, have lots of small compartments. You can pour a different type of sprinkle into each little section. This allows you to see all your options at once, making decorating much easier. It’s a colorful and tidy solution for any baker.
DIY Instructions: Create a Sprinkle Kit
Step 1: Get an Organizer Box Find a clear plastic organizer box with multiple small compartments. Craft stores and hardware stores have many different sizes. Make sure it has a secure lid.
Step 2: Gather Your Sprinkles Collect all of your various containers of sprinkles, sanding sugars, and other small cookie decorations.
Step 3: Fill the Compartments Carefully open your sprinkle containers and pour each type into its own individual compartment in the organizer box. A small funnel can help you do this without making a mess.
Step 4: Close and Label Close the lid of the organizer box, making sure it snaps shut securely. You can add a label to the top of the box that says “Holiday Sprinkles.”
Step 5: Easy Decorating Now, when you are ready to decorate cookies, you can just open one box to see all your colorful choices.
30. Labeled Pantry Staples
During the busy holiday baking season, you don’t want to mistake salt for sugar. Having clearly labeled containers for your essential pantry staples is a simple organizational step that prevents costly mistakes.
Transfer your flour, sugar, oats, and other dry goods from their messy bags into clear, airtight containers. Use bold, easy-to-read labels to identify the contents of each one. This system not only looks neat and tidy but also keeps your ingredients fresh. For an extra festive touch, you can tie a holiday ribbon around a few of the jars.
DIY Instructions: Label Your Baking Canisters
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies You will need clear, airtight containers for your ingredients. You will also need some labels. You can use sticker labels, chalkboard labels with a chalk marker, or a label maker.
Step 2: Fill Your Containers Carefully pour your flour, sugar, brown sugar, oats, and other dry goods into the clean, dry containers. Using a funnel can help prevent spills.
Step 3: Write Clear Labels On your labels, write the name of the ingredient in large, clear letters. If you are using chalkboard labels, make sure the chalk marker is completely dry before you touch it.
Step 4: Attach the Labels Peel the backing off your sticker labels and place them squarely on the front of each container. Make sure they are straight and easy to see.
Step 5: Arrange Your Pantry Place your newly labeled containers on your pantry shelf. You can arrange them by how often you use them, keeping the flour and sugar at the front. Your pantry is now beautifully organized and ready for baking!
31. Smart Freezer Labeling System
When your freezer is full of holiday leftovers and pre-made meals, it can be hard to remember what everything is. A clear and consistent labeling system is essential for avoiding mystery meals.
Using simple masking tape or dissolvable labels and a permanent marker, you can quickly identify the contents of each container. Be sure to include the name of the dish and the date it was frozen. This simple habit helps you keep your freezer organized, reduces food waste, and makes finding your desired meal quick and easy.
DIY Instructions: Set Up a Freezer Label Station
Step 1: Gather Your Labeling Supplies You will need a roll of masking tape or freezer-safe labels, and one or two permanent markers. Keep them all together in a small basket or box.
Step 2: Create a Labeling Hub Find a convenient spot to keep your labeling supplies, like in a small basket on top of the fridge or in a nearby drawer. Having everything in one place makes it easier to label items right away.
Step 3: Label Before You Freeze Make it a habit to label every container before it goes into the freezer. On the label, write what the food is and the date you are freezing it. For example: “Turkey Soup – Dec 26.”
Step 4: Be Consistent Always put the label on the lid or the side of the container where it is easiest to see.
Step 5: First In, First Out When you are looking for a meal, check the dates on the labels and use the oldest items first. This helps you rotate your food and ensures nothing stays in the freezer for too long.
32. Elevated Sink-Side Cleaning Station
Holiday cooking and baking can lead to a constant pile of dishes. Keeping your sink area tidy can make the cleanup process feel much less chaotic. An elevated cleaning station is a stylish and practical solution.
Using a small cake stand, you can lift your soap dispensers, sponges, and brushes off the counter. This prevents slimy water from pooling at the base of your bottles and keeps your sponges dry and clean. It’s a simple touch that adds a bit of elegance to a utility area, keeping your sink looking neat even during the busiest times.
DIY Instructions: Create a Tidy Sink Caddy
Step 1: Find a Small Pedestal You will need a small cake stand or a pedestal plate. A ceramic or marble one is great because it is waterproof and easy to clean.
Step 2: Gather Your Cleaning Tools Collect your hand soap, dish soap, scrub brushes, and sponges.
Step 3: Arrange Your Station Place the cake stand right next to your sink. Arrange your soap dispensers and a small cup for your brushes on top of the stand. Place a small soap dish next to it for your sponge or a bar of soap.
Step 4: Keep it Clean This setup makes it much easier to wipe down your countertop since you can lift everything at once.
Step 5: Add a Festive Touch For the holidays, you can use a small, festive plate for your bar soap or use soap dispensers in holiday colors to make your sink area feel more cheerful.
33. Mobile Baking and Prep Cart
If your kitchen lacks counter space, a rolling cart can become your best friend during the holidays. This mobile workstation can be loaded up with everything you need for a specific task, like baking cookies or mixing drinks.
A baking cart can hold your stand mixer, bowls, and jars of flour and sugar. When you’re ready to bake, you can roll it to the center of your kitchen. It provides extra storage and a valuable extra work surface right where you need it. After the holidays, it can be used for storage in your pantry or as a bar cart.
DIY Instructions: Set Up a Rolling Baking Station
Step 1: Get a Rolling Cart Find a sturdy kitchen cart with wheels. One with multiple shelves is useful for storage.
Step 2: Stock the Top Shelf The top surface is your workspace. Place your stand mixer or a large mixing bowl here. Keep your most-used utensils, like whisks and spatulas, in a crock or jar on top as well.
Step 3: Organize the Middle Shelf Use the middle shelf for your primary ingredients. Fill clear jars with flour, sugar, and brown sugar and label them clearly. This keeps them easy to see and access.
Step 4: Use the Bottom Shelf for Bulkier Items The bottom shelf is great for larger, heavier items. You can use a wire basket to hold extra baking supplies, mixing bowls, or even a bag of potatoes or onions.
Step 5: Roll it Where You Need It Wheel your cart to your main prep area when you’re ready to start baking. Everything you need is organized and within arm’s reach.
34. Pantry Door Wrap and Bag Organizer
Boxes of plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and storage bags can take up a lot of valuable drawer or shelf space. The back of your pantry door is a great, underutilized spot to store these items.
Simple, stick-on baskets or wire file holders can be mounted on the door to hold these long boxes. This keeps them organized and easy to grab when you need to wrap up leftovers or pack holiday treats. It’s a clever way to use every inch of your kitchen for storage.
DIY Instructions: Create a Pantry Door Storage Rack
Step 1: Get Your Supplies You will need one or two wire magazine holders or narrow baskets. You will also need strong, removable adhesive hooks or screws if you want a more permanent solution.
Step 2: Measure Your Door Measure the width of your pantry door to make sure the baskets will fit. Also, check that the door will be able to close properly with the baskets attached.
Step 3: Attach the Baskets Follow the instructions on the package to attach the adhesive hooks to the inside of your pantry door. Hang your baskets on the hooks. For a sturdier option, ask a grown-up to help you screw the baskets directly into the door.
Step 4: Organize Your Wraps Place your boxes of foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper into the baskets. You can stand them up vertically, like files in a filing cabinet.
Step 5: Easy Access Now your wraps and bags are off the shelves and neatly organized in a spot that is very easy to access.
35. Hanging Recipe Holder
When you’re cooking from a recipe, it can be frustrating when the card or your phone screen gets covered in flour or spills. A simple hanging recipe holder keeps your instructions at eye level and your counter space clear.
You can use a pants hanger with clips to hold a recipe card or use a wire mail sorter to prop up a cookbook or a phone. This keeps your recipe clean, dry, and easy to read while you cook. It’s a low-tech solution that solves a very common kitchen problem.
DIY Instructions: Make a No-Mess Recipe Stand
Step 1: Find a Hanger with Clips You will need a pants hanger—the kind that has two clips for holding trousers.
Step 2: Find a Place to Hang It Look for a cabinet knob or handle that is at a comfortable eye level in your kitchen.
Step 3: Clip and Hang Your Recipe Clip your printed recipe card into the two clips on the hanger. Hang the hanger on the cabinet knob.
Step 4: For Phones or Tablets If you are using a recipe from your phone, a small, hanging mail sorter works well. You can hang the sorter from a cabinet knob and rest your phone inside.
Step 5: Cook with a Clear View Your recipe is now safely off the counter, away from any potential spills, and in a perfect position for you to read as you cook.
36. Festive and Functional Spice Storage
Spices are the heart of holiday baking, and having them organized is key to a smooth process. A two-tiered lazy Susan is a great tool for storing all your spice jars in one accessible spot on the counter.
For a bit of holiday fun, you can also create a festive spice display. Using magnetic spice tins, you can arrange them on a cabinet door in the shape of a Christmas tree. This is a cheerful piece of kitchen decor that is also very practical.
DIY Instructions: Make a Magnetic Spice Tree
Step 1: Get Magnetic Tins You will need several small, round tins with clear lids and magnetic backs. You can find these online or at kitchen supply stores.
Step 2: Fill Your Tins Fill each tin with a different holiday spice, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. You can also fill some with colorful sprinkles.
Step 3: Create a Tree Shape Choose a magnetic surface, like the side of your fridge or a metal board on the inside of a cabinet door. Start arranging the tins in the shape of a Christmas tree. Use one tin for the top, then two in the row below it, then three, and so on.
Step 4: Add a Trunk and a Star You can use a small, rectangular magnet or a piece of wood for the trunk. A star-shaped magnet or a yellow-lidded tin can be the star on top.
Step 5: Functional Decor Your festive spice tree is now ready! It looks great and makes it easy to find your spices.
37. Cabinet Shelf Risers and Organizers
Kitchen cabinets often have a lot of wasted vertical space. Shelf risers and under-shelf baskets are a game-changer for maximizing storage.
These simple wire organizers essentially add a second level to your existing shelves. You can store plates below and stack mugs or bowls on top, effectively doubling your storage capacity. They are great for organizing holiday-themed dishes and keeping them separate from your everyday items. This makes finding your festive mugs or bowls quick and easy.
DIY Instructions: Double Your Cabinet Space
Step 1: Measure Your Cabinets Measure the height, width, and depth of your cabinets so you know what size organizers will fit.
Step 2: Get a Few Organizers Purchase a few wire shelf risers. These look like small, wide tables. You can also get under-shelf baskets, which slide onto the shelf and create a small hanging basket underneath.
Step 3: Organize with Risers Place a shelf riser inside your cabinet. You can now store a stack of plates underneath the riser and a stack of bowls or mugs on top of it.
Step 4: Use Under-Shelf Baskets Slide an under-shelf basket onto one of your shelves. This is a great spot for storing smaller items like napkins, small holiday plates, or extra coffee mugs.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Tidy Cabinet By using these simple tools, you can fit much more into your cabinets while keeping everything neat and easy to reach.
38. Make-Ahead Dough and Pie Crust Bins
The holidays are a marathon of baking, and preparing doughs ahead of time is a huge time-saver. Designating a specific bin in your refrigerator for “Baking Prep” keeps everything organized.
You can store logs of cookie dough, discs of pie crust, and even pre-made fillings in clear, stackable containers. Label the bins so you can see at a glance what you have. This system keeps your raw dough separate from other foods and makes it easy to grab what you need when you’re ready to bake.
DIY Instructions: Create a Baking Prep Zone in Your Fridge
Step 1: Get Clear Bins You will need one or two clear plastic refrigerator bins. Choose a size that will fit on your fridge shelves.
Step 2: Prepare Your Doughs Make your cookie dough and pie crusts. Wrap logs of cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Place pie crusts in resealable bags or plastic wrap.
Step 3: Organize the Bins Place your prepared doughs into the bins. You can stand logs of cookie dough up vertically, like files, so you can see all the different kinds. Lay pie crusts flat.
Step 4: Label the Bins Use a label maker or a piece of tape and a marker to create a label for the front of the bin. Write “Baking Prep” on it.
Step 5: Ready to Bake When it’s time to bake, you can pull out the entire bin and have all your doughs ready to go. This system is also great for thawing frozen doughs safely in the refrigerator.
39. Organized Holiday Linens
Festive table runners, cloth napkins, and dish towels can add a beautiful touch to your holiday decor, but storing them can be a challenge. A few simple tricks can keep your linens tidy and wrinkle-free.
Rolling your linens instead of folding them is a great way to prevent deep creases. You can store the rolls in a basket or in a shoe organizer. For napkin sets, using an empty paper towel tube is a great way to keep them all together. These methods keep your linens ready for the table.
DIY Instructions: Keep Your Linens Neat
Step 1: Roll, Don’t Fold Lay your clean tablecloths, runners, and napkins on a flat surface. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Carefully roll them up into a tight log. This helps prevent hard-to-iron creases.
Step 2: Use Baskets or Bins Place your rolled linens in a wicker basket or a storage bin. You can stand them up on their ends, which makes it easy to see all the different colors and patterns.
Step 3: Use Cardboard Tubes Save your empty paper towel or wrapping paper tubes. You can slide a rolled napkin inside a tube to protect it. For a full set of napkins, you can tie them together with a ribbon and then slide them into a larger tube.
Step 4: Store in a Dry Place Keep your basket of linens in a dry closet or on a shelf until you are ready to set your holiday table.
40. Custom-Fit Drawer Organizer
A well-organized utensil drawer makes any kitchen task easier. Instead of using a pre-made tray that might not fit your drawer or your tools, you can create a custom-fit solution.
Using adjustable drawer dividers allows you to create compartments that are the exact size you need for your specific tools. You can make a long, narrow spot for whisks and a small, square spot for measuring cups. Lining the drawer with a festive paper adds a fun, personal touch and makes the whole space feel more special.
DIY Instructions: Create a Custom Drawer Layout
Step 1: Get Adjustable Dividers You will need a set of spring-loaded or adjustable drawer dividers. These can be extended to fit the exact dimensions of your drawer.
Step 2: Empty and Line the Drawer Take everything out of your drawer and give it a good wipe. Cut a piece of pretty shelf liner or holiday wrapping paper to fit the bottom of the drawer and lay it inside.
Step 3: Plan Your Layout Place your utensils on top of the liner to decide where you want everything to go. Group similar items together.
Step 4: Install the Dividers Place the dividers in your drawer to create the compartments you planned. Adjust them so they fit snugly. The springs will hold them in place.
Step 5: Fill Your Drawer Put all your tools back into their new, custom-sized homes. Your drawer is now perfectly organized for your needs.
Embracing the holiday spirit should be about enjoying time with loved ones, not battling a messy kitchen. By using these organization hacks, you can create a space that works for you, not against you. Each small change adds up to a much smoother experience.
You don’t need a massive kitchen or expensive tools to feel organized. A repurposed paper towel holder or a simple magnetic hook can make a world of difference. The goal is to reduce stress and make your baking and entertaining more joyful. Now you can focus on what truly matters: creating wonderful memories and delicious food.
Key Takeaways
- Maximize Every Inch: Use vertical space with shelf risers, organize the inside of cabinet doors, and use rolling carts to create mobile workstations.
- Create Clear Systems: Label your pantry and freezer items, use color-coded cutting boards, and create dedicated stations for tasks like making hot cocoa or wrapping gifts.
- Prepare in Advance: Stage your appetizers in the fridge, use inventory lists to track supplies, and organize make-ahead doughs in clear bins to save time on party day.
- Simplify Your Workflow: Keep essential tools within reach, use countertop bowls for scraps, and set up efficient systems for post-party cleanup.