Typically, most holiday parties are done in buffet style due to the large quantity of guests being served.  Being able to bake, cook and display buffet style also gives the host more time to actually spend enjoying her party and guests, and less time in the kitchen. 

To maximize the space on the dining or buffet table and also provide visual interest, use servers or caddies that are stacked vertically.  By using the vertical space, you will use less horizontal space, allowing you to get more food on the table, while eliminating a cluttered or cramped look.  You can find caddy serveware that hold sauces or dips, and plate caddies that elegantly display guest plates using wrought iron or metal holders. 

Getting everything organized for a holiday party, including decluttering surfaces and spaces, tidying, cleaning and decorating, can be stressful enough without the worries of how you’re going to get everything on the table.   Elegant iron serveware can make the simplest food appear fancy!

Plate caddy server

3 tray iron caddy

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007 and is presently the “Ask the Organizer” expert. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie also writes a column at the Baltimore Examiner, called Organized Families.  Contact Jacquie by clicking here. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips and learn more about her presentations at www.castawaytheclutter.com

Wishing for the look of a gourmet kitchen without the gourmet price tag? Well, by adding practical, but beautiful organizers on your countertop you can enhance the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank. Begin by putting away the small appliances you use only occasionally, purging the items you never use and displaying the items you use everyday.

Here are a few decorating tips that will keep your countertops attractive and organized:

- Display your fruit in a beautiful fruit chrome bowl.

- Store your coffee, sugar etc in beautiful canisters instead of plastic containers.

- Store your paper towel holder in a decorative paper towel stand

- Display your favorite coffee or tea mugs on an elegant mug tree.

- Display your paper napkins in an attractive napkin holder on your kitchen table.

If you prefer to keep your kitchen countertops completely clear, there are many inexpensive over-the-door organizers for your kitchen sponge and hand soap, recyclable plastic bags and kitchen towels.  There is even an over-the-door paper towel holder – no tools necessary!  Have some fun decluttering your countertops with innovative organizing tools!

President’s Day sale going on now at www.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 (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops.  Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com and register for her upcoming organizing workshops.