Christmas, Holiday or Winter Entertaining

Best Ways to Organize Your Kitchen
for Holiday Entertaining

(ARA) - Shopping, wrapping, prepping, cooking and cleaning are time-consuming activities any time of year, but these tasks reach a new level of intensity as harbingers of the holiday season. The very thought of the hubbub that approaches with cooler weather and Halloween treats and ends with the remnants of New Year’s confetti is enough to put even the most prepared and placid among us on edge.

But, if you get a jumpstart now, devoting a day or two to preparing your home, you’ll ease into the celebratory cycle with a lot less stress than ever before and enjoy the festive mood that permeates the atmosphere October through January.

First thing first: Get started by creating specially designated activity and storage areas. If you set aside space in the kitchen, dining room or mudroom, you’ll be guaranteed easy access to your holiday wares. Consider the following zones:

Wrapping Zone

Stock with wrapping paper, cards, tape, scissors, ribbons, etc. so you’re ready to present gorgeous presents after a big trip to the mall. Also, consider stocking up on last-minute hostess gifts such as books, journals, stationery or gourmet goodies in case you receive and need to reciprocate an unexpected gift. You can store them, along with any used wrapping paper and ribbon from received gifts (for future use), in this area.

To Do Zone

Convert your regular desk/media area to seasonal record keeping and storage by updating with appropriate organizers, holiday stamps and lists. Keep a copy of your master shopping list of everyone you want to buy for, complete with interests, sizes and styles, in this zone. Record what you gave each person directly onto your master shopping list, including how much you spent, so you’ll have something to reference next year.

Place a copy of your final address list in a holiday cards file. If you receive cards this year from people not on your list, toss their return addresses into your file and blend them into your current list for next winter. Keep track of expenses by using one credit card for all purchases. Be sure to hold on to all receipts and confirmations of gifts purchased online.

Cooking and Baking Zone(s)

Once, you’ve stocked up on seasonal ingredients including dry baking goods, decorative sprinkles, candies, herbs, spices, nuts and more, get ready to play chef and pull rarely-used items such as roasting pans, gravy boats and serving platters from your dusty cupboards, wash them, and get them ready to go. Get your favorite recipes out and place the cookbook with the first recipe you plan to prepare on Diamond Cabinet’s Logix Cookbook Recipe Organizer.

Also, pull baking items such as cookie cutters, rolling pins, stand and hand mixers and other utensils and place them within easy reach. Next, stash flat items (like cookie sheets as well as trays and cutting boards) in Diamond Cabinet’s Logix Rollout Tray Divider to keep them standing at attention.

Easy Entertaining Zone

First, set the mood for festivities by displaying favorite holiday photos in cute frames on your breakfast bar or island. Next, set this space up as a gathering spot for friends and family and stock it with little bowls and trays of dried fruits, spiced nuts and candies. Keep everything fresh in airtight containers prior to parties, and display snacks right before company arrives.

As guests arrive, fill your home with an inviting scent by microwaving popcorn or even cooking a casserole in Amana’s newest convection microwave, which cooks foods evenly and quickly. It’s like having a second oven at your finger tips.

Finally, create a serving station set with plates, utensils, glasses and napkins. If you intend to serve more sophisticated nibbles, pull your special holiday china and feature it on the buffet. Last but not least, you may also want to make decorative vases, clippers, and other flower-arranging tools easily accessible in case you receive bouquets/seasonal plans from visitors, and display your seasonal vases and bouquets in this zone.

Clean Up Zone

Once the party’s over, make clean up a cinch by designating spaces for washing dishes and fabric. Stack dirty, delicate china and flatware in a handwashing area for special treatment. Place soiled holiday ware (ties, dresses, even festive linens including tablecloths and napkins) on or near Maytag’s Epic Z front-load washer and dryer pair for home laundering or to take to the drycleaner. The Maytag Laundry 123 system includes special work surfaces, drawers and places to hang items for ultimate organization.

Seasonal Storage Zone

At the end of the season, reflect on what a great time you had with family and friends, and start gearing up for next year. Put away all holiday goods, from decorations (spooky knick knacks, Advent calendars, menorahs, Christmas lights, etc.) to special cookware, cookbooks and more. Unexpected storage solutions, such as Diamond’s Logix Base Toekick Cabinet, provide a smart and unique way to store these little-used items and ensure you make the most out of every nook and cranny your home has to offer.

In the end, the point is to remember that keeping calm and remaining collected during the holidays is all about you. If you personalize your zones to fit your needs and taste with storage accessories that play to your preferences and personality, happy holidays are practically guaranteed. And, if you set aside another couple of days post-holidays in early January to organize, clean up and  take stock of your home, next season’s prep work will be a snap. Courtesy of ARAcontent

 SUPER BOWL

Quick, Easy and Nutritious Game-day Recipes the Whole Gang Will Enjoy

(ARA) - Looking for simple and nutritious ways to prepare traditional game-day fare? There are some easy and nutritious alternatives to usual choices that your family is sure to love.

With a full serving of veggies in every 1/2 cup of pasta sauce, Ragú pasta sauce has some effortless ideas for game-time foods without the guilt and hassle.

* Cut the grease. French fries and frozen appetizers may seem like the easy way out when faced with a crowd of hungry guests but there are more nutritious solutions when feeding a group. As an alternative that is just as easy, try cutting up veggies and pairing them with a dressing-based dip, or serving cubed turkey and cheese to dunk in warmed Ragú pasta sauce.

* You are not a waitress. Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to serve themselves, and clean up after themselves. Spread all food and drinks out on a table, buffet-style, and let guests take what they want when they want it. Use disposable plates, napkins and cutlery and have everyone deposit their used items into a prominently placed trash can. At the end of the night all you’ll have to do is say goodbye!

* Don’t try to be a gourmet chef. Pick simple recipes with very few ingredients.  You’ll please even the pickiest of eaters and still have time to enjoy the game yourself. Try the following recipes that easily feed a crowd:

Brown ground beef or turkey and add in a 26 oz. jar of Ragu pasta sauce for each pound of meat. Toss in some flavorful “add-ins,” heat through and serve.  And feel free to mix and match ingredients to please your game-day guests. Try adding the following to make:

Ragú Chili
Add in sautéed onions, chili powder and red kidney beans. Serve over rice and top with cheddar cheese.

Quick Burrito
Add in sautéed veggies such as bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini and onions, about 4 tsp. chili powder and some canned corn. Serve rolled in flour tortillas, which you can bake when anybody is ready to eat.

Sloppy Joe
Increase the ground beef to 2 lbs., then add in sautéed onions, about 1/2 cup of brown sugar and some sweet relish. Serve on whole-wheat hamburger buns.

Taco Salad
Add in sautéed veggies like bell peppers, corn or black beans. Serve over a bed of lettuce with tortilla chips.

For more game-day recipes, and even more recipes and tips, pick up a free copy of the Ragú Soccer Moms Shortcuts book, available at www.Ragu.com.  Courtesy of ARAcontent

Happy Celebrating! PartyMerchant.com

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