Christmas Kitchen Secrets of the Organized
By Lea Schneider, Professional Organizer

©2009 Professional Organizer Lea Schneider is the author of Growing Up Organized, A Mom-to-Mom Guide available at amazon.com. She provides one-on-one organizing advice via phone and email through Organize Online division at her company website, www.organizerightnow.com.

Her advice is featured here at What's Cooking America in a monthly column. You may have read her expert organizing ideas in Woman’s Day, Natural Health, College News, and Better Homes and Gardens Kids’ Rooms magazines and newspapers from across the country. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and the Association of Food Journalists.

Christmas Kitchen Secrets of the Organized

Check out all of Lea Schneider's helpful home and kitchen columns at Organizing Kitchens, Pantries, Menus and Meals.

"Gosh, she made it look so easy!" - That’s what we all wish our guests would think when they visit.

Entertaining, on top of working, holiday shopping and company, is never easy but it can be made simpler. Here are a couple suggestions to help you make it look so easy.

1. Clear and clean countertops. You will need lots of room to work this month. Put some of your usual kitchen counter décor into your Christmas decoration boxes and store it away.
    

2. Grab a beautiful basket. Fill it with festive Christmas paper plates, napkins and cups. Add a bow and some holly. It will look pretty on your counter and cut down on dish washing.
    

3. Make ahead. After you make your menu, star the items that can be made ahead. Spread the make-ahead items out on your calendar.
    

4. Think about how you will serve the food at your party or buffet. With the menu in mind, lay out the serving pieces and label each with a sticky note. Anyone helping can then fill platters or bowls without asking you what dish you want to use and where to find it.
    

5. Plan for the unexpected. It happens. Create an extra couple tins of cookies or loaves of banana bread as gifts for the sudden guest. Also plan ahead for a couple of extra appetizers. Either you will need to offer a snack you didn’t plan on or you will suddenly need something to carry to a party.
    

6. Organize for next year now. As you gather recipes together for the holiday, keep them together in a binder or folder for next year. Add your menus, shopping and gifts lists and you are off to a good start for next year.
    

7. Think easy. A simple well made meal is a delight. A supper of a salad, yummy casserole or soup and warm bread is always welcome.