Reset Your Pantry Before the Holiday Rush Begins

With the holiday season comes with a whirlwind of hosting, cooking, baking, and last-minute grocery runs. One of the easiest ways to set yourself up for a calmer, more enjoyable season is to start in a place most people overlook: your pantry. A simple reset now can save you time, stress, and duplicate shopping later, especially once the holiday chaos begins.

At Holman Hope Home Organizing, I always tell clients that an organized pantry doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to work well for your everyday life. Here’s a practical, doable way to reset your pantry before the holiday rush arrives...

1. Start with a Simple Declutter

Take a few minutes to look through every shelf and remove what you no longer use. Check for:

• Expired items

  
  

• Duplicates you didn’t realize you had

  
  

• Items you bought for a recipe you never made that you know you won't use

  
  

• Snacks your family no longer eats

  
  

This quick edit instantly frees up space for holiday ingredients like baking supplies, spices, canned goods, and entertaining staples.

2. Group Similar Foods Together

Next, sort items into simple, functional categories. Some easy pantry zones include:

• Baking goods (flour, sugar, chocolate chips, extracts)

• Weeknight meals (pasta, rice, sauces, canned goods)

  
  

• Snacks (kids’ favorites, grab-and-go options)

  
  

• Breakfast items (cereal, oatmeal, granola, pancake mix)

  
  

• Entertaining (chips, crackers, nuts, mixers)

  
  

These zones help everyone in your home find what they need—and put things back where they belong.

3. Wipe Down Shelves and Refresh Containers

Before placing anything back, give the shelves a quick wipe. This tiny step makes the whole space feel lighter and more inviting.

If you use clear bins, baskets, or containers, now is the perfect time to clean them out and make sure they’re still working for your family’s needs. Simple, consistent labels keep everything even more user-friendly.

4. Restock Your Go-To Ingredients

Think about what you reach for most often—especially during the holidays. Common staples include:

• Baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla)

  
  

• Broth and soup bases

  
  

• Pasta, rice, and grains

  
  

• Oils and vinegars

  
  

• Holiday baking items

  
  

• Quick snacks for kids home on break

  
  

Refilling these ahead of time keeps you from scrambling during a busy week or making unnecessary grocery trips.

5. Make Space for Seasonal Items

Holiday hosting means extra groceries. Create a designated spot now for incoming items like:

• Cookie supplies

  
  

• Party snacks

  
  

• Beverages

  
  

• Gift-wrapping treats (hot cocoa, candy canes)

  
  

• Meal-prep ingredients for guests

  
  

Even a small empty bin or open shelf can make a big difference once holiday shopping begins.

A Tidy Pantry = A Smoother Holiday Season

A pantry reset doesn’t have to take hours—even 20–30 minutes can completely change how your kitchen feels. By decluttering, regrouping, wiping down shelves, and restocking essentials, you’re setting your home up for calmer cooking, easier hosting, and a more peaceful holiday season.

If you’d like help creating a beautifully organized, easy-to-maintain pantry, Holman Hope Home Organizing would love to support you, especially before the holiday rush begins.