Organizing tips for pantries, baking supplies, and kitchen tools before hosting season

Thanksgiving has a way of sneaking up. One day you’re soaking up crisp fall mornings, the next you’re pulling out the roasting pan and wondering where the cinnamon disappeared to. A little prep now makes the big meal - and every cozy gathering around it - feel lighter.

1. Start with the Pantry

Clear and categorize. Take everything out. Group by type - baking, canned goods, spices.
Check dates. Compost or toss anything past its prime.
Create zones. Baking ingredients on one shelf, quick snacks on another. Add labeled baskets or clear stacking boxes if you like a visual reset.

2. Audit Baking Supplies

Essentials first. Flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, vanilla - restock what you’ll need before stores get crowded.
Test the tools. Hand mixers and stand mixers deserve a quick run to be sure they still work.
Measure twice. Make sure you’ve got enough measuring cups, mixing bowls, and cooling racks for the recipes you love.

3. Streamline Kitchen Tools

Edit duplicates. How many spatulas do you really need? Keep the favorites, donate the rest.
Spotlight the holiday gear. Roasting pan, carving knives, gravy separator - clean and set aside the pieces that only see action when you’re cooking a turkey.
Create a prep zone. A dedicated drawer or bin for serving utensils and table linens saves a frantic search on the day.

4. Keep It Simple on the Big Day

The point isn’t a showroom kitchen - it's a breathing room. A pared-back space makes it easier to cook, to welcome help, and to enjoy the people who gather there.

5. Prep What You Can in Advance

Things like pie, mashed potatoes, casseroles and dinner rolls can all be prepped in advance and frozen to take some of the pressure off on the actual day. For more tips on food prepping ahead of time, check out the blog post by The Kitchen - Food You Can Prep Now for Thanksgiving.

Need a hand getting it all done?

Simplifying Your Life offers custom organizing and move-management services, from doing your grocery shopping for you, to a one-time pantry overhaul to full-scale kitchen resets before the holidays. Need respite for a caregiver? I do that, too. Companion care is another service offered by Simplifying Your Life.

Reach out to book a session and step into Thanksgiving with a lighter to-do list.

Simplifying Your Kitchen Before Thanksgiving