The Bennett family loved the holidays, but their kitchen often looked like a wrapping paper factory had exploded inside a flour mill. In 2026, with Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching faster than a sleigh on ice, they decided to bite the bullet and get organized. They turned to two experts: Michelle Parravani, professional organizer and co-founder of Designing With Less LLC, and Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly Company. Their advice was simple: start early, keep it minimal, and tidy as you go.
Clear the Decks Before You Decorate
Parravani told the Bennetts that minimalism is always on trend in the kitchen because it is the easiest way to stay organized. That means creating a space for everything, leaving no small appliances out on the counters, moving pots and pans to cupboards or hooks, and building a foolproof pantry storage system. 'The best part is you'll feel so much calmer and more in control in the kitchen this holiday season,' she said.
Before organizing anything, Parravani suggested decluttering and removing items the family did not use. These could be things that had always been in the kitchen even if they served no purpose there, or items they kept thinking they would use but never actually did. 'If it doesn't need to be there, get it out of your kitchen,' Parravani said. The Bennetts filled three donation boxes and suddenly had room to breathe. It was a classic case of less is more.
Clean Seasonal Dishes Early
Marla Mock told the Bennetts that before adding anything new to the kitchen, such as themed holiday decor, they should assess what they already had in storage. 'Get out your holiday dishes ahead of time and give them a good clean,' she said. Once that was done, they could see if they needed anything else for 2026 or if they were already all set.
Mock also recommended ordering supplies before the holiday rush. 'Keep your space stocked with garbage bags, paper towels, and cleaning supplies to tackle a mess head-on, during the holidays and beyond,' she said. The Bennetts created a small cleaning station in a caddy under the sink, so spills and crumbs never stood a chance. Getting in the habit now, Mock noted, would last well past the holiday season.
Go Digital and Ditch Duplicates
While cookbooks and recipe boxes can be charming, Parravani explained that they can also take up an unnecessary amount of space. She suggested going completely digital. Along with saving space, digital recipes often save time, too. 'Rather than searching through multiple books, digital recipes are easier to organize and find quickly,' she said.
The pantry was another battleground. Parravani told the Bennetts to toss or donate anything they did not need: duplicates, expired goods, or ingredients bought for one recipe and never used again. 'You could donate shelf-stable foods you don't think you will eat, or you could go ahead and cook those items that haven't fit into previous meals,' she said. As a bonus, this saved money ahead of the holidays. 'Your goal here is to curate a minimalist pantry focused on exceptional ingredients,' Parravani said.
Keep Meals and Decor Simple
Parravani also liked to create a meal plan that matched the minimalist space. For her, that meant serving family-style meals on real dishes with metal utensils. 'Minimalism means cutting out what's wasteful or unnecessary in our lives, and this extends to single-use items like plastic cups or paper plates,' she said. The Bennetts swapped paper plates for their everyday ceramic plates and never looked back.
As much as everyone loves a beautiful holiday tablescape, Parravani suggested keeping it simple or using only pieces that could be reused for future meals. Simpler decorating made holiday prep more seamless and less time-consuming. It also helped the Bennetts feel more relaxed, because the entire process felt streamlined instead of chaotic.
A Countdown That Works
If you are trying to create an orderly kitchen before a specific event, Mock said now is the perfect time to make notes on your calendar. Here is the schedule she shared with the Bennetts:
| Time Before Event | Task |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ 3–4 weeks | Sweep the pantry and food cabinets, clear off shelves, and reorganize as needed. |
| 🧼 1 week | Purge the fridge, scan for expired items, and wipe down all surfaces and spaces guests will see. |
| 🧹 A few days | Clear countertops once more of any accumulated and unnecessary clutter. |
| 🍽️ During the event | Do a quick round of dishes periodically. Set things to soak or pop everything into the dishwasher as you clear. |
| 🎁 After the event | Find a permanent home for hosting gifts as soon as possible, since they are some of the biggest culprits of post-party clutter. |
Tidy as You Go
Mock emphasized that tidying as you go is the secret sauce. The Bennetts set a timer for ten minutes after each meal, and the kitchen never reached critical mass. They kept their cleaning station stocked, their counters clear, and their pantry curated. By the time their 2026 holiday guests arrived, the kitchen felt calm, not chaotic. There was a place for everything, and everything was in its place.
Parravani's words echoed through the house: 'Minimalism means cutting out what's wasteful or unnecessary in our lives.' For the Bennetts, that was the best gift of all. They had learned that a peaceful holiday season does not come from doing more. It comes from doing less, but doing it well. And with a clear counter, a simple menu, and a well-stocked cleaning caddy, they were ready to host, relax, and actually enjoy the mistletoe rather than trip over it.