With Thanksgiving and Christmas merely weeks away, I thought talking about getting your kitchen ready would be a good way to help you get ready for the holidays!

The kitchen really is the hub of the whole house. It’s where we go when we visit a home and so we should make it welcoming, hospitable and organized.

Hopefully these tips will help you get your kitchen in shape:

Action Plan

1. Take time now to look through the whole kitchen and see if you should change the location of items. In fact, open all your cabinets to give you a clear look as to where everything is. Then, begin to get rid of (de-clutter) all items you don’t use anymore as multiple mugs or plastic containers. And survey your counter space, clearing away as much clutter as possible to prepare for holiday decorations and entertaining.

2. Dishes, glasses and silverware should be near the dishwasher for ease in putting away. Likewise, pots and pans should be near the stove. But also, during the holidays, plan where you will want to place any other items that you only use during this time. Hopefully, you will have the time to de-clutter your kitchen, your refrigerator, and your pantry to have the room for food items. And if you use holiday china, now is the time to find a place for it.

3. Then, visualize where you want to put any decorations, flowers, bar/drink items, buffet, etc. that you want to have for the holidays and any holiday entertaining. Make sure you have a place already determined for the trash can, ice bucket and drink area and cleaning supplies.

Last, your kitchen should make you feel warm and happy enough to cook. Getting it ready and clutter free and clean can really help you attain that goal. And then sit back and enjoy the holidays!

Emotional Check-Up

The holidays, while they should be happiest time of the year, can really put many people into depression. If you are stressed about the holidays coming up, now may also be the time to help yourself. Talk to a counselor, your doctor, your husband or a trusted friend who may help you learn better ways in how to cope. You may be having a hard time with the family member you will have to see or maybe your finances are affecting you. Whatever the reason is, our emotions can and do go with the circumstances in our life no matter how committed we are to the Lord.

And remember to pray and praise Him and then pray and praise Him some more. The Bible says that our God inhabits the praises of His people! And He asks us not to be anxious but to bring all our worries and concerns to Him.

God is always with you. He will never, ever leave you.

Manna from Heaven

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2