Ways to prepare your kitchen for Christmas lunch

We all love getting together with loved ones at Christmas time, but between present shopping, movie-watching, baking, and all-round festive fun, things can get a little stressful – especially if it’s your turn to host! So, to help keep things running smoothly on Christmas weekend, we’ve pulled together our top tips for preparing your kitchen for the big day. 

After months of gathering Christmas gifts, wrapping, and getting into the festive mood, it can all feel like a bit of a scramble when it comes to cooking the Christmas dinner. Whether it’s two or twenty-two you're cooking for this year, the pressure of it all being perfect doesn’t get any less. But, taking a little time beforehand to organise your kitchen with our tips below can go a long way to relieving some of the stress and freeing up more time for you to spend with loved ones. 

You’ll need plenty of space in your fridge and cupboards during the festive season, so if there’s only one tip you follow, let it be this one. Empty the fridge and cupboards and throw away anything that’s out of date, giving the fridge a deep clean, making way for the all-important turkey, cheeses, and leftovers. Make a note of the ingredients needed for your Christmas menu and ensure you have the space to stock up. Anything you’re keeping but isn’t needed can be stored elsewhere, you don’t want to be searching around on Christmas Day trying to find an essential ingredient and delaying proceedings. Having a sort of the fridge and cupboards also means you will know exactly what is where should you have any helping hands assisting you, making it all the smoother. 

We’re all guilty of placing things down on kitchen tables or worktops where they don’t belong, so in the days leading up to Christmas move any unnecessary items away into designated draws. You’ll need plenty of room for preparing and cooking Christmas lunch, especially if you’re feeding a crowd, so the more space the better. 

Avoid the Christmas Day panic and test your appliances a few days before, making sure blenders, food processors, and microwaves are all in working order. Maybe you’re using a new appliance this year to help cut down costs, such as an air fryer or pressure cooker? Don’t wait until Christmas Day to use them for the first time and leave it open for first-time disasters to strike, get to know the appliance beforehand. 

Make sure you have enough plates, cutlery, platters and cookware to go around your guests. Dinner sets are a great investment to ensure you have enough crockery to go around that all matches. We also recommend laying your table the day before, rather than rushing around on the day trying to squeeze it in between roasting the spuds and glazing the carrots. Looking for tablescaping inspiration? Take a look at our guide to styling a festive table. 

Finally, give your kitchen a refresh with a deep clean before adding some Christmas decorations to give a festive feel. Fairy lights placed along shelves and switching out your everyday oven glove and tea towels with festive-inspired ones will give a subtle Christmas feel to your space without adding unnecessary clutter. 

Now you know how to prepare your kitchen for Christmas lunch, you can be confident in knowing you’re one step ahead in delivering a stress-free Christmas. For more hosting tips, take a look at our guide to setting the perfect table.