More time around the table

I recently shared a few tips for Jennifer Bowers’ post, 9 Holiday Kitchen Organization Tips for Easier Cooking, along with some fellow organizers and pros. It’s full of practical ideas: clean out the fridge and pantry, set up zones for prep and drinks, and spread the cooking over several days. My advice? Before the guests arrive, give your kitchen room to breathe. Clear the counters of mail, gadgets, and small appliances, and pull those holiday dishes out of the hard-to-reach places now. Nobody wants to be hunting for the gravy boat at the last minute!

But here’s the part of my tip that matters most to me: a little prep ahead of time means more time around the table with the people you love. That’s really what organizing is about. It isn’t about a perfect pantry or a picture-ready kitchen. It’s about making space, in our homes and in our hearts, for the relationships we value most. When our spaces feel cluttered, it’s easy to slip into C.H.A.O.S. (“Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome”) and miss the very gatherings that fill us up.

So as the holidays approach, I have a question for you: What do you want this season to feel like? Maybe it’s a calmer Thanksgiving morning. Maybe it’s finally hosting the family dinner you’ve been putting off. Whatever it is, now is the time to begin, one drawer, one shelf, one cabinet at a time. And if you’d like a little help getting your kitchen (or any space) ready to welcome people in, I’d love to help.