As I was buying pumpkins last week, I realized that Thanksgiving is in exactly 41 days! This year has really flown by! I’m generally the one to host Thanksgiving so I love doing a big pantry edit prior to the main event. But where does one begin? This is the the number one question I receive from clients. So let me support you in this ever so important AND nourishing endeavor.

1. Start with an intention

Yes, this again. An intention is like a road map or a business plan for your project. Without one you might do a great job, however, with one you might do an even better job. Sit quietly with your feet firmly planted on the ground, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Imagine how you’d like your pantry to look and feel. What do you envision being easier post organization?

Your intention can be something very simple such as,  “I am able to see and locate everything easily” or something deeper such as, “I am cooking with ease and grace and everything in my pantry supports me.”

Trust me, having an intention is key for this process to be successful.

2. Evaluate what you have

Do you have tons of expired foods or are you missing pantry staples such as salt, olive oil and cinnamon. Make a list of what you typically use during the holiday season and make sure you

have that on hand. Eliminate any expired foods and things that no longer resonate with your lifestyle.

I really enjoy decanting dry goods into glass jars so that you can store things in more uniform way AND keep better tabs on inventory. When you can see you, you will use it!

3. Sort, Group, Contain and Label

Once you have discarded everything that isn’t fitting for your lifestyle and this holiday season, group content in similar categories. Ideally, you crackers and chips or snacks are together, nuts and dried fruit, breakfast items, canned goods. When I do groupings for clients I like to pair things together that typically get used at the same time.

I may place nut butters with smoothie supplies and so on. Contain each group in a basket and label accordingly. You know I’m obsessed with bin label clips and a woven basket.  It’s a timeless polish look when paired with glass jars.

4. Serving pieces and water bottles

Some of us store platters, salad bowls and disposables in our pantries in addition to food stuffs. Give your serving pieces a once over ensuring that everything is in working order. If you’ve been putting off purchasing a new cheese board, now may be the time so that you aren’t panicking the week of your holiday gathering. Remember the whole point of this is to do the work NOW so that you can actually ENJOY the holidays.                                                                                                                                                    I’ve also been really keen on getting glass jars, vases and any kind of vessel that you tend to accumulate over time contained in a basket. What I’ve found by doing this for clients, is that they buy less when they see the abundance on-hand.

You have plenty of time between now and Thanksgiving to get prepared for the holidays. I’d suggest giving yourself until Halloween to get your pantry in order. If you have any questions or are looking to work together virtually or in-person, let’s connect. You can use the comment section below or reach out via email at [email protected]. Let’s go!