Holiday Pantry Tips From a Professional Organizer

The holidays are an exciting time of year for creating warm, happy memories with friends, family, and loved ones. However, all that holiday merriment can come with some added chaos, making keeping your pantry organized more challenging.

Our professional organizers share some helpful tips for organizing your pantry this holiday, allowing you to take control and keep your season merry and bright!

1. Make a List & Check It Twice

Preparing for the holidays often means cooking or baking delicious dishes, but staying organized is important to ensure you don’t have unnecessary repeats. Stocking up on items you already have can waste valuable storage space during the holiday season.

Before you head out to the grocery store, take stock of what you have, creating a comprehensive list of all the items in your pantry. Compare this list to the ingredients you need to create your signature holiday dish to avoid purchasing items you already have in stock. This system won’t just save you precious pantry space; it will also help you save money on unnecessary purchases.

2. Group Like Items Together

When placing items in your pantry, create a system that groups like items. Creating a category system can help you retrieve things more easily, especially as you cook, resulting in a more efficient, organized workspace. Here are a few suggestions for how to group your items:

• Baking items: Keep sugar, flour, corn syrup, and sweet spices all in one place for an easier baking experience.
• Savory items: Cooking oils, savory spices, breadcrumbs, and other non-perishable savory ingredients should all stick together.
• Breakfast items: Save enough space for easy access to cereals, pancake mixes, cereal bars, and other breakfast essentials.
• Kitchen appliances: Designate an area of your pantry for kitchen appliances, such as stand mixers, toaster ovens, blenders, and more.

3. Use Clear Storage Containers

Shuffling things around in your pantry to find out what you have and are missing can be a hassle. Avoid the frustration altogether by opting for clear storage containers. These containers make it easier to see exactly what you have and how much, and they can help keep your ingredients fresher for longer.

Some examples of clear storage containers that work well in pantries include:

• Glass Tupperware containers
• Mason jars
• Plastic containers
• Clear Ziplock bags

4. Make Sure Everything Is Labeled

If you decide to use storage containers in your pantry, it’s important to ensure everything is clearly labeled. You don’t want to reach for the salt when your recipe calls for 3 cups of sugar. Write out the name of all ingredients clearly, either with a marker or using a label maker, to ensure all household members can see what’s what.

5. Utilize All Available Storage Space

It might seem like strange advice to encourage homeowners to store items in dark, hard-to-reach areas of their pantries, but the holiday season often calls for excess, requiring families to get crafty with their storage space. The back of your pantry is a great place to install a lazy Susan, making retrieving spices, non-perishable goods, or even kitchen appliances easier.

6. Take Advantage of Pantry Organizers

From custom shelving and Lazy Susans to roll-out divided trays and baskets, plenty of innovative pantry organizers are available to help keep your space more efficient and accessible this holiday season. Explore your options and consider adding.

Get Help From Potomac Concierge This Holiday Season!

What to get organized for the holiday season but unsure where to start? Potomac Concierge is here to help. Our team of professional organizers has years of experience helping families throughout the mid-Atlantic region create order and structure in their homes for reduced stress and improved efficiency.

Let us help you create a more organized living space by calling (240) 200-4824 to learn how a 10-minute conversation can change your life!