Day 23. Prepping in the Kitchen: Planning Ahead
Another short post but a good reminder. Make up what you can ahead of time. Get the prep work done early. Give your kids jobs (according to their ages and what they can handle). Make it a family affair, if you have a family.
-What can you make in advance and store in the refrigerator or bake ahead of time?
-Think about the water pitcher and adding lemons or oranges.
-Do you have enough ice?
-You can prepare your salad in advance and store in Ziploc bags, and then put it together and toss right before serving.
-Is your dessert made, or at least the details are worked out in your mind?
-How about setting out the dessert plates and the forks.
-Do you have butter, salt and pepper on the table?
-Have you thought about writing out your menu so you can quickly glance at it, to make sure you have not forgotten anything?
-Do you have a lighter handy so you can light the candles quickly?
-What is the plan for music in the background?
These are pretty common and simple reminders, and the list could go on and on, but prepping in the kitchen and planning ahead is for sure the secret to a successful evening.
You will be more relaxed as the hostess and happier when the doorbell rings when you are organized.
Are you a planner or do you do things last minute?
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Chatting at the Sky, Nesting Place, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, My First Kitchen, Life With My 3 Boybarians, Remodeling This Life, The Inspired Room
Having a list and prepping as much as I can ahead of time is the only way I get to enjoy the evening, too!
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Love this checklist. I usually store things in my head and drive myself crazy. I love doing as much as I can ahead, makes me feel so much more relaxed and prepared!
I do love making lists. I find they really help me alot. Menu list, grocery list, to do list….you name it, I make it.
Right now I’m in the midst of planning our upcoming vacation. We are inviting 3 different sets of people to join us at different times during the time we’re gone and so I’m working on making food lists and who will prepare what meals on what days..DELEGATION baby! I will probably have each “grouping” do at least one dinner and one breakfast since most are only staying 2 or 3 nights. I find this works a lot and also takes a bit of pressure off me for a few days.
I am always looking at my list…couldn’t live without the “lists”.
sandy toe
Sandy, thanks for the great tips. I try to do most of them and it really helps. Especially having the menu on a sticky note somewhere on my kitchen counter…good reminder when I start chatting with someone and forget what I am doing. What I think is funny with me at this stage of life I am in (Gramma!) is that when all the babies come to visit, my mind is out the window! I am busy playing with kids and crawling along on the floor with my 1 year old. So when they all come (as they did yesterday) carry out pizza works for me!!!! Smiles!
Great Tips Sandy!
I am a planner, with plenty of lists!
I loved the tip about making the salad ahead. It never occurred to me. Other than that, I do try to work ahead. It is just so much less stressful.
Putting the kids to work is great too. They learn how to be hospitable and that these things don’t just happen!
Becky K.
It’s AMAZING how those little details can add up to make a BIG difference. That is when I do them. LOL! Still working on that part.
Have a great day Sandy!