Happy October, everyone! I can’t believe it’s already holiday time! This year has just flown by. Now that we are into the holiday months, I started thinking about all the things I need to do to start preparing. I’ve always started early, and it’s been a lifesaver for me! I also have a holiday calendar I use every year, so I can visually see when to start on certain things.

The easiest way to make the holidays feel less hectic is to treat holiday prep as a small project rather than one giant to-do list. I like to think of it in a few simple categories: kitchen, pantry, entertaining pieces, and shopping.

Here are some of my helpful tips on how you can start getting organized and preparing for the holiday season.

1. Give the kitchen a quick reset

• • Clean out the pantry, fridge, and freezer and toss anything expired.
  • Take inventory of holiday staples so you don’t buy duplicates.
  • Check your roasting pan, thermometer, baking dishes, casserole dishes, cutting boards, etc.
  • Make sure you have plenty of serving spoons, tongs, ladles, pie servers, carving utensils, and other serving pieces.

2. Take a look at your table and entertaining pieces

Pull everything out and see what you actually have. Then, make a “replace/update” list for anything stained, worn out, missing, or just ready for a refresh. You may only need new napkins or placemats to make the table feel different.

• • Placemats and tablecloths
  • Cloth napkins and napkin rings
  • Name cards for the table
  • Dinnerware and flatware
  • Glassware
  • Serving platters and bowls
  • Trivets and candles

3. Start a holiday calendar

Put all the important dates in one place (e.g., holidays, parties, travel, houseguests, gift exchanges, holiday events, etc.)

Then add the prep dates, not just the event dates:

• • Grocery shopping
  • Ordering gifts
  • Cleaning
  • Table setting
  • Make-ahead cooking
  • Baking
  • Final grocery run

Set your calendar in a place where you will see it often, so you don’t miss anything. I place mine on my kitchen counter, so we see it daily.

4. Keep one master shopping list

Break it into categories:

• • Food: pantry, favorite holiday ingredients, baking, drinks
  • Household: paper products, cleaning supplies, foil, storage bags
  • Entertaining: linens, candles, flowers, serving pieces
  • Gifts: who, what, budget, purchased, wrapped
  • Décor: anything you need to replace or add

5. Make a holiday cheat sheet

Keep your menu in one place and note what can be made ahead, what serving dish it goes in, and what serving utensil you need. You can even put a little note in each serving dish ahead of time, so you know exactly what goes where.

6. Keep a “Next Year” list

After the holiday, jot down anything you wish you’d had or done differently, such as more napkins, another casserole dish, less dessert, a different serving piece, etc.

That way, next year you’re not starting from scratch. You already have your holiday game plan.

Preparing early has allowed me to enjoy the season and not stress about what’s next. Here’s to a season that is filled with good food, good company and great memories. Happy planning!

Tonia