No other season is so centered around the kitchen as the winter holidays. From the time the first turkey slides into the oven until the last star-shaped cookie is cut, you and your guests are going to spend a lot of time in and out of the kitchen this season. Are you ready?

Rather than shuffling around last month’s remnants of boxed goods or shaking powdered sugar out of that casserole dish Aunt Mildred left in August, take some time to declutter your kitchen in time for the holidays so that you can spend your time creating goodies rather than creating space.

It's hard to work in chaos!

Clear out that pantry

Remember that thing you bought that one time for the recipe that…oh, where is that recipe, anyway? Yeah. It’s time for it to go. If you aren’t realistically going to use it, it’s time for it to find a new home. Consider donating unopened items or cans (provided that they aren’t expired, of course), and definitely consolidate packaging if you bought some more of an item without realizing there was still half a bag in there. Not that I’m speaking from experience. Seriously, don’t ignore your pantry.

Clean out the fridge AND freezer

It takes two, baby. The fridge is obvious for decluttering, but don’t overlook the freezer. In my house, things can hide in the back for…well, we’ll just say a long time. Look for freezer burn, expiration dates and Unidentified Frozen Objects. Again, consolidate packages, pull out things you need to use ASAP, stack and organize what you will (really, truly) use, and out goes the rest. Make way for all those yummy leftovers that will be coming in soon!

Only keep what you need!

Get rid of unusable Tupperware/storage

Stop holding out hope that you’ll find those lids. If you’ve got orphaned containers or lids, it’s time to repurpose or rehome or recycle them. There is no reason to keep stuffing them into the corner of the cabinet. Check for names and set aside anything someone else has left. Otherwise, it’s fair game in here. Show no mercy!

Sort through your pots, pans and baking dishes

Yep, you heard me. We are going all out in here. Do you still really think you need that super special pan that only cooks 2 things that you think you might make one day when the mood hits? Yeah, no. If you haven’t used it since last year, you probably don’t need it this year. If you doubt, find a place that’s out of the way and stack your questionable items there. If they are still there when you do this next year, I won’t say “I told you so.” For what you are keeping, consider labeling them in case you take a casserole or a pie to a holiday party or Aunt Mildred’s (take her pan back when you go!). Even cooler, you could etch glass pans with your family name. After you finish cleaning, of course…No, wait, come back! We are almost done!

Pare down drawers

Junk drawers, towel drawers, spice racks, measuring and eating utensils…This is the tedious work, but you are a veteran clutter-killer at this point. I have faith in you. If you can’t immediately tell what it’s for and recall a recent time using it, it’s probably time for it to find a new home. Stack the spices, toss the junk, sort the utensils. You’ve got this!

Recycle what you can, or check Pinterest or CraftGawker for creative ways to reuse things!

Clear the counter

Do you really want to roll cookies there? I didn’t think so. Clear off the counters as much as possible, even especially if you are short on space. You don’t need last month’s bills stacked up in the corner while you try to build a gingerbread house. Consider covering a plain box with festive paper and stuffing anything that doesn’t have a home in it. It’s nicer to look at a pretty box than a miscellaneous pile, and no one will know!

Phew. It’s a lot of work, but totally worth it. Turn on the Elf soundtrack, roll up your sequined sweater sleeves and knock this out so you can get to the real work of enjoying your holidays!

Which part of your kitchen needs decluttering most?

Photo Credits to Rubbermaid Products