The best hack for hosting during the holidays? Getting your kitchen and pantry organized before the guests get hungry. Luckily, we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves to help you get in control before the meal-time rush. From stackable bins for the pantry to silicone oven mats that make baking a breeze, here are your organizational must-haves for the holiday season.
Steel bins you can stack in your pantry…
Store your low-maintenance fruits and veggies (like apples, onions, and potatoes) or packaged goods and cans in these stackable baskets for easy access. They’re mesh, so you won’t have to rummage through each bin to find what you need, and are made from coated steel so they’ll last you a while. Get them in a small, medium, or large and consider your pantry hacked. ($13.99+, The Container Store)
A glass cloche for your showstopping dessert…
Or charcuterie spread. It’ll keep your food fresh, and the kids from sneaking bites before dinner. It has a marble base you can use separately as a cheese board, or snag this marble slab if you need a little more room. ($108, The Container Store)
Gold flatware you won’t have to wash…
Festive cutlery that doesn't equal more work for you? Sounds like a win. This set of disposable cutlery comes with 100 forks, spoons, and knives — all made from sturdy BPA-free plastic — and the gleaming gold coating makes them look real. You can dispose of them after the party to cut down on clean-up time, or hand-wash them if you’d prefer to reuse them for another time. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A kitchen set designed to up your microwaving game…
The Everyday Set comes with four bowls and matching airtight lids designed for pretty much anything, even cooking in the microwave. The plastic-free collection is also dishwasher-, oven-, and freezer-safe, making the pieces suitable for any cooking adventure. Whether you’re mixing a salad, whipping up pancake batter, or making a microwave cake, this versatile set will help you out. If you’re curious as to how well the bowls really work, check out our full review. And huge bonus: get 15% off with code SKIMM15. ($170, Anyday)
A water purifier that does more than your Brita…
So you and your guests can drink quality water at the next gathering. This system purifies, mineralizes, heats, and even adds flavor to your regular tap water. It can fill up to a 1.5-liter jar and has an easily replaceable filtration. Plus, it’s self-cleaning. ($374.90, Lang)
A coffee canister so everyone can pour themselves a cup…
And you can keep your beans and grounds in one spot. It’s made of stainless steel and has an airtight lid to keep your coffee smelling and tasting fresher, longer. Snag it in either small or medium and choose from 12 different colors. Add the coffee scooper to keep inside for easy measuring. ($18.60+, Planetary Design)
Produce savers that’ll prevent your food from molding too soon…
These containers regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide flow so your fruit and veggies will last longer. Plus, the built-in filter never needs to be replaced. Pro tip: Don’t wash produce before putting it into the containers. Just drop everything in and store them in your fridge. You can wash food before you eat it. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
Food containers that’ll organize your pantry…
This pack of 14 airtight containers will keep all your pantry goods fresh and organized. Pack your flour, cereals, pastas, and snacks away for easy access thanks to the see-through design, and label them with the included chalkboard stickers and marker for extra measure. Did we mention you can stack them to save space, too? Win, win, win. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
Recycled bamboo mixing bowls that’ll hold up…
This set of nested mixing bowls is sturdy and made of eco-friendly bamboo. They come in seven different sizes, so you can use them for all your baking, meal prep, and storage needs. Plus, they’re dishwasher-safe and come in a plethora of pastel and neutral hues. Get mixing. ($60/set of 7, Food52)
A pan organizer you can customize…
When you need to stack or dry your pots and pans, this organizer’s got you covered. It expands in size up to 22 inches, and has 10 adjustable dividers so you can fit all your cooking and baking essentials. And it doesn’t require any special tools to set up. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A pastry mat for when you need some help measuring…
It’s got dough diameters and conversions for ingredients and temperatures, and it can withstand heat up to 450 degrees so you can throw it right in the oven. Use it for pastries, pizzas, baked goods, and more to speed up your next kitchen masterpiece. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
A cute oven mitt so you can stay protected…
If you’re going to be spending a ton of time in the kitchen removing hot pans from the heat, make sure your hands are safe. This colorful one is padded and covered in tons of cute sardine tins. Buying one for all our friends. ($10.49, FromIberiaWithLove via Etsy)
A countertop ice maker to keep the drinks flowing…
Any good party host knows you can never have enough ice at the function. This self-cleaning, portable ice maker delivers nine bullet-shaped ice cubes every six minutes. Just keep an eye on the water line and use the included scooper for serving. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
Silicone ice cube molds for cocktail night…
These come in two different sizes and will keep your drinks from getting diluted too quickly. The pack of three are dishwasher-safe and can withstand both cold and heat (up to 450 degrees) so you can use them to bake, too. Plus, the cubes are easy to pop out of the mold. ($11.95/3-pack, Public Goods)
A tool that’ll save you all that time spent trying to dice an onion…
This thing can chop, slice, grate, and spiralize. It’s got six blades total, a peeler, cleaning brush, finger guard, and bin so your ingredients won’t be all over your kitchen countertop. Less time prepping = more time to eat. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
Reusable mats for all your baking needs…
These silicone mats will perfectly line your pan and are a great replacement for foil or parchment paper. They’re nonstick, dishwasher-safe, and also work as a prep board if you’re rolling dough and working with flour. ($14.99/2-pack, Amazon)
A cookware set that’ll cover all the kitchen bases…
This five-piece collection comes with two stainless steel frying pans, a saucepan with pour spout, and a large pot, plus a cast-iron Dutch oven (which comes in seven different color choices). The stainless steel options all have rose gold accents, and share lids and nest together to save storage space. It’s an investment, but with the right care, it’ll last you for years to come. ($495, Great Jones)
A kitchen essential that’s a classic for a reason…
Ah, the KitchenAid mixer. If you haven’t heard, this baby’s got power, tackling dough, icing, and cream like no other. And, of course, it’s a showstopper in the kitchen. It comes in 22 colors, and includes a coated flat beater, coated dough hook, six-wire whip, and one-piece pouring shield. It’s also got 15 optional attachments. The 10-speed slide adjuster lets you beat with precision. And did we mention it can hold up to 5 quarts of whatever it is you’re cooking up? Yum. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
Reusable silicone storage bags that’ll replace single-use bags…
Goodbye, plastic. It was (not that) nice knowing you. Great for food storage, these bags are airtight. Plus, you can put them in the freezer or microwave. Just pop leftovers inside, pinch them closed, and place in the fridge. If you hate stacking Tupperware, these are for you. You can also use them for carrying snacks while on the go. ($35.75/4-pack, Amazon)
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.