Your Post-Thanksgiving Game Plan
Once you’ve recovered from the big day, take these steps to make welcoming the next round of holiday guests easier
Ah, Thanksgiving is over. Once the dishes are dry, the last overtime has ended and the guests are gone, what comes next? OK, I know, collapse in an exhausted heap. That’s good — go ahead and do that. Then it’s time to take on a few tasks that will make having the next big gathering at your house just a little easier.
2. Clean the Linens
Launder your tablecloths, napkins and other linens. During this busy time of the year, you deserve to drop them off at the dry cleaner if you wish — no guilt involved.
Shop for kitchen and dining products on Houzz
Launder your tablecloths, napkins and other linens. During this busy time of the year, you deserve to drop them off at the dry cleaner if you wish — no guilt involved.
Shop for kitchen and dining products on Houzz
3. Organize and Inventory Your Serveware
Keep a notepad and donation bin handy. As you’re putting away your platters, bowls, pitchers, vases and other pieces, take stock: Was anything missing? Make a note to get it.
While putting things away, pay special attention to everything. Are there pieces lurking on the bottom of the cabinet that you never use? If you didn’t use those items at your big Thanksgiving dinner, chances are you never will, so consider donating them.
How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers for Good
Keep a notepad and donation bin handy. As you’re putting away your platters, bowls, pitchers, vases and other pieces, take stock: Was anything missing? Make a note to get it.
While putting things away, pay special attention to everything. Are there pieces lurking on the bottom of the cabinet that you never use? If you didn’t use those items at your big Thanksgiving dinner, chances are you never will, so consider donating them.
How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers for Good
4. Stash Rarely Used Items Smartly
If you have Thanksgiving-specific equipment and decorations you use only at this time of year, find somewhere besides the kitchen to keep them together and organized. Valuable kitchen real estate is better put to use for everyday items.
Find a professional organizer near you
If you have Thanksgiving-specific equipment and decorations you use only at this time of year, find somewhere besides the kitchen to keep them together and organized. Valuable kitchen real estate is better put to use for everyday items.
Find a professional organizer near you
5. Clean Out the Pantry, Cupboards and Refrigerator
Once the guests and leftovers are gone, take this opportunity to clean out the refrigerator and pantry. If you find canned or boxed food that hasn’t expired and you know you won’t use, place it in the donation bin — it’s a great time of year to give.
10 Steps to an Organized and Functional Kitchen
Once the guests and leftovers are gone, take this opportunity to clean out the refrigerator and pantry. If you find canned or boxed food that hasn’t expired and you know you won’t use, place it in the donation bin — it’s a great time of year to give.
10 Steps to an Organized and Functional Kitchen
6. Restock
At the same time, take inventory with future holiday meals in mind. Use this chance to get your herbs, spices and staples organized for the rest of your holiday cooking, and make a list of things you need to replenish.
How to Whip Your Baking Center Into Shape
At the same time, take inventory with future holiday meals in mind. Use this chance to get your herbs, spices and staples organized for the rest of your holiday cooking, and make a list of things you need to replenish.
How to Whip Your Baking Center Into Shape
7. Refill Salt and Pepper Shakers
It seems like a small thing, but if you have to do it when all your burners are fired up for your next feast, it’s going to be one more detail stressing you out.
Make Your Checklist for Entertaining Season
It seems like a small thing, but if you have to do it when all your burners are fired up for your next feast, it’s going to be one more detail stressing you out.
Make Your Checklist for Entertaining Season
8. Prep for Your Next Overnight Guests
Clean up the guest room, wash the bedding and towels, and think about ways to make welcoming another round of overnight visitors easier. I like Alison Hodgson’s ideas for creating a guest room in a box.
10 Essentials for a Gracious Guest Room
Clean up the guest room, wash the bedding and towels, and think about ways to make welcoming another round of overnight visitors easier. I like Alison Hodgson’s ideas for creating a guest room in a box.
10 Essentials for a Gracious Guest Room
9. Put Up Your Feet
Congratulations! It wasn’t easy, but you’ve cut down the prep time for your next hosting gig. Your hard work means you’ll be organized and ready.
Tell us: Do you have any post-hosting rituals that make your life easier? Please share them in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about housekeeping
Find home professionals
Shop for home products
Congratulations! It wasn’t easy, but you’ve cut down the prep time for your next hosting gig. Your hard work means you’ll be organized and ready.
Tell us: Do you have any post-hosting rituals that make your life easier? Please share them in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about housekeeping
Find home professionals
Shop for home products
This is the toughest part. In addition to doing the dishes and scouring the pots and pans, you’ll want to give the surfaces of your kitchen and the inside of your appliances a good cleaning to get rid of the spattered grease, spilled flour and stuck-on food. Once you’re done, reward yourself with another rest.
Your Guide to a Sparkling Clean Kitchen