How to Prep Your Kitchen for a Stress-Free Holiday

By Virtual Assistant | December 10, 2025

🧼 Start with a Clean Slate

Before the holiday cooking kicks off, it’s time to prep your kitchen for the holidays by doing a top-to-bottom clean. Wipe down all counters, appliances, cabinet fronts, and especially the inside of your fridge and oven. Clearing out expired items and sticky shelves now will save you a major headache later.

🗃️ Clear Counter Clutter

The less on your counters, the more space you’ll have to work, and breathe! Stash non-essentials like toasters or blenders you won’t use for holiday meals. Set up easy-access zones for things you’ll need a lot (foil, paper towels, oven mitts), and your holiday flow will feel way smoother.

🍲 Create a Prep Station

Designate one section of your kitchen (like a clear stretch of counter or kitchen island) as your official prep zone. Stock it with a cutting board, knives, mixing bowls, measuring cups, and towels. Prep your kitchen for the holidays by having a central hub that keeps the mess contained and the workflow calm.

🧊 Make Room in the Fridge & Freezer

Holiday meals mean more groceries, more leftovers, and more dessert trays from Aunt Mary. Do yourself a favor and clear out space now. Toss forgotten freezer-burned items and organize your fridge so nothing gets lost behind a turkey. Use bins or Lazy Susans to keep sauces, snacks, and produce accessible and tidy.

🧼 Stock Up on Cleaning Essentials

There’s nothing worse than realizing you’re out of dish soap when your sink is full. Take inventory of your cleaning supplies before the holiday hustle begins. Keep extra sponges, trash bags, surface spray, and dish towels on hand so you’re ready to clean as you go.

🎄 Think Ahead for the Cleanup

Want to feel truly stress-free after the feast? Set up your kitchen with the end in mind. Line your baking sheets with foil for faster cleanup. Use slow cooker liners. Assign guests potluck items with disposable pans. The more you can toss, the less you have to wash, and the quicker you can get back to the fun.