It’s getting that time again! The holidays are on their way. Anymore I keep things pretty simple, but there was a time when I would already be mapping out Thanksgiving dinner 2 months early.
The holidays often bring late nights, visitors, and family time spent around the fireplace. Keeping a well-stocked holiday pantry can keep you safe and comfortable indoors while the temperatures drop outdoors. Keep these items on hand to make the holidays go smoothly.
Baking Goods
Who doesn’t love a plate of Christmas bars, cookies, or candies? Have the items on hand that you need to whip up a batch of holiday treats. If you don’t usually keep baking goods around, start with these items:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Yeast
- Frosting tins
- Cake mix
- Cream of tartar
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate chips
You may also want to stock up on cupcake liners, disposable baking tins for gifts, aluminum foil, and parchment paper.
Also see, How I Save At Least 50% on My Meat Budget
Staples for Quick Meals
No matter how well you plan out your holiday shopping, you’ll likely still end up at home late a few nights after visiting friends, caroling, or Christmas shopping. Instead of spending money on fast food, keep items on hand for quick, budget-friendly meals. If you have these items in your pantry, you can come up with something tasty in no time:
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Stuffing mix
- Canned veggies
- Canned soup
- Rice
- Canned beans
Entertaining Staples
You never know when you’ll get last-minute visitors, and you want to have more to offer them than tap water and leftovers. Keep snack foods and drinks in your pantry to pull out whenever you have visitors. Not sure where to start? Try these popular items:
- Hot chocolate mix
- Tea bags
- Instant coffee
- Chips and crackers
- Dried fruit
- Cookies
- Chocolates
The holidays can be a stressful time if you don’t prepare for them. With a full pantry, you can handle whatever your crazy holiday schedule throws at you!
What is YOUR go to pantry item for the holidays?
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