You’re planning a party shortly and have created a menu. Next, you will have to figure out what ingredients you need, how much you need and when to buy.  However, one of the most challenging aspects of entertaining is preparing all the recipes to be ready at the same time!  This requires time, a lot of preparation and occasionally a little help.  Don’t feel compelled to do it all.  Help can come in a couple of different ways:

§ Already prepared meals from your local store

§ A family member or friend helping you in the kitchen, or

§ A guest bringing a dish to share. 

Whichever combination works for you is great, but all still require some planning. If you will be preparing most of the food yourself, many recipes can be prepared the day before, a week before or even sometimes weeks before, and stored in the freezer. Check your recipes to see which ones can be prepared in advance. Then be sure you have some good quality plastic containers to store your meals in the refrigerator or freezer.  Try storage containers like the ones here from Freshvac. They come with an air tight seal that also lets air out and prevents freezer burn.   

Click here to learn more about these wonderful containers. By using the right containers, you will save time, money and stress!

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, she teaches homeowners and businesses how to reclaim their time and space. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to never break a sweat when planning a party?  If you would love to host more parties, but find the whole process to be overwhelming; realize that with proper preparation and systems, it doesn’t have to be that way.  You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to host a great party!

The holidays are just around the corner, so if you begin planning now you can eliminate the stress of holiday entertaining. Begin by reviewing all of your recipes.  Try to be open to new possibilities by looking at a variety of recipes and even trying something new.  It doesn’t have to be a “holiday recipe” to be served at a holiday party.  Here are some tips to organizing your favorite recipes as you prepare for the upcoming holiday season:

- Begin by reviewing the recipes you already have.  If you don’t have a vast cookbook selection with classic recipes, try searching on the web to find recipes that you can print at no charge.

- Purchase a 3-hole ring binder and divide your recipes by category, e.g. chicken, vegetarian, desserts etc.

- After entertaining, determine the recipes that the guests loved and transfer them to a special recipe collection book or album, like the ones pictured here.  These albums are perfect for storing special recipes, especially those that have been passed down from generations.  They also make great gifts!   

Find these and other memory related books here at HomeStorageWarehouse.com  
 

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, she teaches homeowners and businesses how to reclaim their time and space. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com.