6 Secrets to a Holiday-Ready Pantry

Holiday season is here and with it comes our favorite family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Whether you have Grandma’s spice cookies on your mind or want to create something entirely new to enjoy this year, you will need a pantry that is up to the challenge. Our designers have the best tips to get you – and your cooking space – ready for the holiday season in no time.

Set the Scene

Your pantry is not functional if you can’t see anything. Proper pantry organization is key to a legendary Sioux Falls holiday season. Take advantage of the time you have before company arrives and rearrange your pantry into “zones” for easy entertaining. Some of the most common zones we see include:

  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers
  • Entertaining
  • Snacks
  • Baking Supplies
  • Canned Goods
  • Food Storage
  • Utensils

Remember to throw out expired food, donate what you don’t plan to use, and make sure everything left on the shelves is visible. You want to know at-a-glance what is in the pantry and what needs to be added to your holiday shopping list.

Take Inventory

Once you’ve organized your pantry into zones that are easy to use, take a quick look and evaluate what you already have. Compare your current inventory against all your favorite family recipes. Make a shopping list and restock all at once so you don’t have to rush out while company is over.

Season Staples

The good news is that there are usually lots of sales on baking products during the holiday season. Staples like butter, flour and sugar all last a long time if they are stored properly, so these can be purchased well in advance.

The most common baking essentials of the holiday include:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Vanilla extract

Also consider whether your family recipes call for special holiday spices. Sweet flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg are common alongside savory combinations like rosemary, thyme, basil, or cilantro. Our slide-out spice racks keep these small bottles organized and easy to see at all times so you’ll know what’s already in the pantry and what needs to be purchased. Don’t forget the parchment paper for easy clean-up!

Accessibility

Organize all of your bulky equipment so that it is easy to reach and use during the holiday season. Give your mixer its own corner in the pantry and place other bulky items like cake rings, blenders and coffee makers in the same area.

The key is to keep everything accessible. If children will be around for the holidays, feel free to place a jar of sweets on a low shelf to help make the holiday a little more magical.

Hungry Houseguests

There are a lot of ways to handle meal plans when you have a houseful. Keep breakfast essentials like cereal and coffee at the front of your pantry and plan meals in advance so everyone starts the day happy (you included)! Healthy snacks like mixed nuts should be accessible at all times to help satiate guests between meals. Get a whiteboard and write the day’s menu down each morning so there is no question about the tasty treats to come.

Give Back

If you find that your holiday preparations have left you with too much (or not enough) food, consider visiting one of the local food banks in the Great Plains area. Donations of nonperishable goods are always welcome, and volunteers are always appreciated – especially during the holiday season when the need for nutritious meals is so important.

Emergency Food Pantry
1101 4th Ave N 58102
Fargo, ND 58102
(701)237-9337
Website: emergencyfoodpantry.com
Email: [email protected]

Great Plains Food Bank
1720 3rd Ave N
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 232-6219
Website: greatplainsfoodbank.org
Email: [email protected]

Dorothy Day House of Hospitality, Inc.
1308 Main Ave
Moorehead, MN 56560
(218) 284-8895
Website: fmddh.org/food-pantry
Email: [email protected]

The holidays are a time to share delicious treats with loved ones and celebrate all the things that bring us together. Prepare your home for the best holiday season ever with custom pantry organization from our Sioux Falls organizers at Smart Spaces. Call today for a completely free in-home consultation!