Whether you’re looking to splurge on a loved one or need something small but thoughtful for that friend or coworker who always throws the best parties. Here are some crowd-pleasing ideas for the avid entertainer.

Wooden Board

A generously sized wooden board can hold cheese, fruit, charcuterie and appetizers of all sorts. The fact that cutting boards are easy to stack and store and always come in handy makes this a welcome gift for just about anyone who loves to entertain.

Wireless Speakers

Help your favorite party people bring the music wherever they go with a pair of wireless Bluetooth speakers. Even if someone already has a good sound system, portable speakers can come in handy for outdoor gatherings and can easily get tossed in a suitcase for traveling.

Bar Accessories

Think about what sort of drinks the entertainer on your list loves to serve: wine, beer, fancy cocktails or mocktails or cozy drinks like hot cocoa? Narrowing down the field to a specific type of beverage will help you choose just the right gift. If you’re feeling unsure, consider coasters or carafes, which work for all sorts of drinks.

Candlesticks

New candlesticks, large or small, can change the look and feel of a tabletop. Pair them with a set of quality taper candles and a pretty box of matches so the giftee will have everything needed to enjoy a candlelit dinner.

Elevated Basics

Most folks already have a pepper grinder and cheese grater, but holiday gifting doesn’t have to be about pure practicality. Look for a fun set of salt and pepper shakers or a grater pretty enough to use at the table.

Oven-to-Table Cookware

If you’re shopping for someone who loves to cook as much as entertain, consider giving a Dutch oven or pretty casserole dish that can transition from oven to table with ease. Add a trivet or serving utensils to make a set.

Table Linens

Colorful cloth napkins, a runner or a new tablecloth makes a thoughtful gift for a host of frequent dinner parties. Try to find out the dimensions of your gift recipient’s table before shopping. If you’re not sure, consider napkins or placemats as a safe bet.

Dessert Dishes

Help gatherings end on a sweet note by giving a set of ice cream bowls or a dessert stand. Bonus points if you pair this gift with a homemade or tasty store-bought treat.

Coffee Station Upgrade

Whether you choose a simple pour-over setup for coffee purists, a fast-boiling electric kettle for tea lovers or a quick and easy pod-style coffee maker, outfitting your favorite host with the best gear is always a good idea. Just be sure to do a little reconnaissance to find out what the person’s current coffee setup is before you shop.

Game-Night Game

For the people who love to host game nights, consider a gussied-up version of a favorite game like backgammon, poker or Scrabble — or a new game that has potential to be a favorite. To take this gift to the next level, bundle it with an assortment of yummy party snacks, like popcorn, roasted nuts, gourmet dips, salsas and chocolates.

Hot chocolate, blankets, twinkle lights. Are you’re ready to indulge in the best goodies and experiences the winter holiday season has to offer?

Pull Out Your Favorite Board Games on a Cold Night

Ditching Netflix for a round of Scrabble or Harry Potter Clue can make even an ordinary Tuesday feel like something special. Clear the coffee table or dining room table, grab a stack of your favorite board games, pour some hot drinks and get playing.

Make Hot Chocolate

Speaking of hot drinks, a warming mug of hot chocolate is right for any winter’s day. Keep it classic or add a splash of something stronger and top with whipped cream or marshmallows. Enjoy your treat indoors, or fill a thermos and bundle up to enjoy your cocoa on a winter walk or sitting around the backyard fire pit.

Read More Good Books

When the weather outside is frightful, console yourself by finally tackling some of the good books you’ve been meaning to read. Or curl up with an old favorite that feels just right around the holidays. If you have little ones at home, pile up seasonal books in a basket and pick one each night to read together.

Bundle Up in a Throw

A soft throw brings instant holiday cheer wherever it lands. Put one on your favorite armchair, drape it across the foot of your bed or curl up in it and carry it with you from room to room.

Hang a Fresh Wreath

The front door is the obvious choice for a wreath but why not adorn the inside of your home with green beauties too? Hung with ribbon over the front of bookcases or a mirror, wreaths are a wonderful way to make your home feel festive for the holidays and beyond.

Make Your House Smell Amazing With a Simmer Pot

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a lazy Saturday at home, adding a delicious scent to the air can help set a festive mood. Simmer berries, oranges and cinnamon in a heavy pot with water to release their scent, or set out a tray of potpourri.

Set Out a Bowl of Nuts in the Shell

Having an interactive appetizer is fun, and whole nuts in the shell are especially welcome this time of year. Set out a pretty bowl filled with whole almonds, walnuts or pecans, along with a nutcracker and an empty bowl or dish to collect shells.

Light Wintry Candles

Adding the scent of a forest or softly falling snow in the form of a candle can be a lovely way to add ambiance to your home around the holidays. Just remember, a little goes a long way when it comes to scented candles — and unscented is always best at the dinner table.

Hold a Family Movie Night

If you have old family movies hidden away in storage, consider pulling them out for a screening. If you’re planning to have a family movie night showing of classic holiday movies anyway, consider playing a few old family videos before the main event. Pop some popcorn, turn down the lights and snuggle in to share memories and make some new ones.

Savor Afternoon Teatime

Sitting down with a friend to share a pot of tea and a tray of treats is a lovely way to slow down during what can be a stressful time of year. Your tea can be as fancy, or as unfussy, as you want it to be. For a simple tea break, set out an assortment of store-bought cookies and brew up individual mugs of tea. If you want to make it more of an occasion, bake some scones and serve them warm with good jam and a pot of the tea of your choice.

Display Festively Wrapped Gifts

One benefit of getting your gift wrapping done early? Those pretty presents can double as holiday decor. Get your gift-wrapping supplies organized and make the experience a festive event in itself by playing holiday music and sipping a warm drink while you cut, tape and tie bows.

Add a Special Touch to the Dinner Table

Having something a little different at the table can create a magical mood, even if it’s for a simple family dinner. Place a sprig of greenery on each plate, use a wood slice as a charger or set out new cloth napkins.

Savor a Simmered Dish in the Kitchen

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy slow-cooked stews, braises and chili. Let your choice simmer all afternoon, then gather in the kitchen for a casual dinner. If you can’t stick around to keep an eye on the pot, pull out your slow cooker or multicooker and let it do the work for you.

Exchange and Display Holiday Cards

In the digital age, giving or receiving an actual paper card in the mail is something to treasure. Put your cards on display by clipping them to a length of twine or pinning them to a bulletin board.

Deck the Halls With Greenery

Garlands of greenery can give banisters, mantels and dining tables a festive flair. For extra oomph, entwine your garland with a strand of twinkle lights.

Decorate Holiday Cookies

Whether you’re baking up enough to bring to a cookie exchange or you simply want to have a tray of your favorite kind, holiday cookie decorating is a tradition for many. If you’re hosting a group or if little ones will be involved, consider baking the cookies in advance so the group can get right to the fun part: decorating—and eating!

Force Some Bulbs

When the flowers have long faded from the garden and spring blooms are still months away, forcing bulbs can bring welcome color and cheer. Bulbs like hyacinths and paperwhites can be forced in winter by planting in glass jars or vases. Forced bulbs look lovely lining windowsills or atop shelves and counters. And if you have a few extras on hand, you can use them as host gifts.

Make Up a Cozy Bed

Getting into a toasty bed on a cold winter’s night is one of life’s little pleasures. Make your bed up to the task with flannel sheets and plenty of warm blankets. To keep that warm, fuzzy feeling when you get up in the morning, consider treating yourself to a new pair of fluffy slippers and a soft robe.

Soak in a Bath

Add a few drops of a relaxing essential oil, like lavender, to your tub for a soothing experience. Love to linger in the tub? Consider adding a tub caddy to hold your book and tea while you soak.

Boost Ambiance With Hurricane Lanterns

Fill big hurricane lanterns with chunky candles to light the path to your front door on the eve of a holiday party — or anytime you want extra ambiance. If you’re concerned about leaving flames unattended, look for flameless candles with a realistic flicker.

Cozy Up Your Porch With Blankets

A plush faux-fur throw on the porch can make this frosty spot look more welcoming. And if any party guests brave the great outdoors, they can use it to warm their laps.

Look at Holiday Lights in Your Neighbourhood

Checking out the holiday lights will increase your holiday cheer. If the weather is mild enough, bundle up and do your tour on foot. If it’s too frosty for walking, hop in the car. Either way, take along a thermos of hot cocoa or cider to keep you warm.

Sit by the Twinkle Lights

One of my favorite holiday tradition is simply sitting in the living room by the light of the Christmas tree with candles lit. 

Watching the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo just might inspire you to add more playtime to your own routine. While achieving Olympic-level skills maybe beyond the reach of most of us, adding a place for sports in your backyard may be possible — and might encourage you to get outside more.

Simple first steps might include setting up a permanent spot for table tennis, adding some games to your pool or buying a trampoline. More permanent installations can range from setting aside a spot for bocce ball, horseshoes or a putting green to installing sports courts for everything from badminton and tennis to basketball and hockey.

Focus on Family Fun

Taking the time to haul out the bocce set, move the pingpong table outside or string up a badminton or volleyball net is easy enough to do for an occasional activity. But if your family really loves a specific game, why not make it a permanent part of your landscape?

Table Tennis 

A standard table will work but you will need a table that is designed for outdoor use and a smooth, flat space to put it on. If you remove the net it can be used as an outdoor dining table or serving counter. 

Lawns are fine, although you’ll may need to contend with a sprinkler system. A cement or stable paver patio or a spot with crushed stone or firmly packed decomposed granite will also work.

Regulation size for a pingpong table is 5 feet wide and 9 feet long. Extra clearance is needed on each side, with a recommended total space that’s 11 feet wide and 19 to 20 feet long.

Beach Volleyball

Practice your spikes, dives and bumps with a dedicated sand court for beach volleyball. The court could sits along the back of the yard, tucked out of the main outdoor living space but close enough for spectators to cheer on the players.

A popular size for the actual backyard beach volleyball court is around 26 feet by 53 feet. With additional clearance, you’ll need 49 feet by 70 feet feet total. You can go a bit smaller, though, if your space is limited. Just be sure you have enough room to make some plays.

Badminton

Badminton lovers can turn a formerly grassy spot into a permanent badminton court. But if a landscape overhaul isn’t in the works, grass is still a fine badminton surface. Keep it trimmed so you can move easily across it. Other options include a smooth, soft surface of crushed stone or concrete, although the latter can be hot.

A regulation badminton court is 20 feet by 44 feet. You should also plan for enough room to take at least 5 steps backward at each end and two to three steps to each side.

Shuttlecocks are very lightweight and can easily travel in directions you don’t want them to, especially if it’s windy. Situating the court away from your neighbors’ yards can save you trips to retrieve them.

Bocce Ball

Bocce, once known mainly for its popularity in Italian communities, has become a game for all. If you’ve become intrigued, adding a bocce ball court may be easier than you think.

While an official bocce ball court should be 13 feet wide and 91 feet long, you can have just as much fun with one tailored to fit your yard. You can find courts that are as small as 6 feet wide and 22 feet long, although most backyard courts are about two-thirds the size of regulation play.

The key to a good court is a flat, level surface, whether it’s made of concrete, crushed stone, sand or oyster shells. You don’t want anything to interfere with the trajectory of the balls. Adding a short, solid barrier of wood or concrete around the sides will keep things in check. Hang a tape measure nearby for checking the distance between balls so you can settle disputes.

Horseshoes

A game of horseshoes feels leisurely and forgiving, as opponents take turns tossing a horseshoe, or the modern equivalent, and get points for coming close. It’s also a game of precision, both when tossing the horseshoe and following the rules of scoring. 

If that sounds like a great mix of relaxation and skill, then adding a spot for a game may be just what you need. While a place for two stakes set 40 feet apart on a grass, gravel, sand or decomposed granite surface is technically all you need, adding a permanent sand pit, generally 36 inches by 48 inches, ensures you always have a spot for a quick game.

For safety’s sake, spectators and others, especially children, should stay well away from the players and not distract them while they’re pitching, the official term for playing. The players should also pay attention to their surroundings before pitching.

Sports Pool

Minimize the endless repetition of Marco Polo with water versions of dry-land games. Include a net for pool volleyball and a basket at one end for shooting hoops.

Other options? Set a water polo net at each end of the pool, divide into teams and see who can score the most points. Or add a twist to a popular lawn game with inflatable cornhole bowls so you can test your tossing skills while you’re treading water.

As with any swimming-related activity, safety comes first. Keep an eye on swimmers, especially if there are solid objects in the pool.

Workout Setup

A no-longer-used basketball court is a prime spot for working out without having to head over to the gym. 

An outdoor gym is ideal for mild-weather climates, but if your weather is more finicky, you can always add an overhead structure. No matter where you are, you’ll want a level and soft surface, such as mulch or mats, underfoot.

Kid-Centered Gymnastics Training

Let your kids channel their inner Simone Biles with a play area that goes beyond the standard jungle gym. Try a climbing wall, swings, bars and a rope structure. Synthetic turf provides a soft landing spot, although rubber mulch and play sand will also work.

Trampoline

Trampolines are fun. They’re also a sneaky way to improve your coordination and balance and strengthen your core muscles.

It’s easy to add a trampoline to your yard. You just need the room (some are very small) and a flat surface, ideally with some cushioning. Good choices include rubber mulch, wood chips and artificial turf. You can even install a trampoline that’s level with the ground. They are far less obtrusive, but you’ll need to include the same safety features as with an above-ground trampoline.

Wherever your trampoline goes, a net is an important safety feature. You can bounce higher than you think, and the net protects you from flying off and hitting a hard surface, even if you’re at ground level. Anchor the trampoline to the ground whenever possible.

Climbing Wall

A backyard climbing wall can challenge and entertain kids and adults alike. As a bonus, it can serve as a decorative addition to a fence or wall of your home or act as a landscape focal point.

The finished width and height depends on your space and how elaborate you want to make it. A shorter wall is great for kids to get started; a larger wall can give adults more options. Whatever you choose, consult with a professional to be sure the wall is solid, sturdy and safe for everyone.

Another safety concern is what you will land on, because the odds are good that at some point you’ll fall. Rubber mulch at least 3 inches thick is a good choice, as are sufficiently thick rubber mats. Again, consult with a professional before making a final decision.

Putting Green

Let your lawn do double duty as an at-home putting green for practicing tricky lies and chip shots. While home putting greens were once a rarity, they’ve grown rapidly in popularity in the past few years.

Even a relatively small yard can be big enough to add a single hole; many home greens are around 500 square feet. You can adjust the design to fit the shape of your yard and how you plan to use it.

If you want a golf course feel, closely trimmed grasses such as Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua) fit the bill. A more maintenance-free choice would be artificial turf. Add a hole or two, and you’re ready to play.

Hockey

You could add a full-size hockey rink to your backyard if you have the room and the requisite freezing temperatures. But if you just want a simple spot to practice your shooting skills, then think of a miniature ice surface built into the deck. Its walls are tall enough to keep the puck inside without ruining the view. While the purists may decry the feel of synthetic ice, a very high-quality choice can come close enough for a small home installation while also easing the logistics of making and resurfacing natural ice.

Basketball

Tired of your driveway basketball games, where you have to be careful not to trample the nearby landscape or let the ball go into the street? Dedicating part of your yard to a made-for-basketball court will make heading out to shoot a few hoops a lot more fun.

Depending on your backyard size and your basketball devotion, you can go with either a half court or a full court. In either case, you’ll need 50 feet for the width. The length can vary; while an NBA court is 94 feet long, many homeowners opt for 90 feet for a full court and 47 to 50 feet for a half court. Concrete is the best surface choice, although you can find outdoor tiles that will work. Personalize the look by adding your favorite team’s logo in the center.

Tennis

A home tennis court may sound like the landscape of a great estate, but it may be more feasible than you think.

Finding enough room is the first step. Plan for a total space that’s 60 feet wide and 120 feet long for the court and required space on all sides. The width of a court designed for singles play only will be about 9 inches less, but you’ll still need the length. There are a number of surface possibilities, including grass and clay, but concrete is a durable choice for home courts, and asphalt is a good choice as well.

Take a look at the how the sun moves through your yard before you decide on a final location and orientation. You don’t want to have direct sunlight in either player’s eyes. You might also want to add a backboard so you can practice even when a partner isn’t available.

Pickleball

Pickleball came into being in 1965 when an unused badminton court, a supply of pingpong paddles and a Wiffle ball were cobbled into a game to relieve an extreme case of family boredom. It’s now a fast-growing sport, with official equipment, rules for playing and tournaments — but it remains a low-key game for all ages with the same laid-back vibe.

The pickleball court itself is 20 feet by 44 feet — not surprisingly, given the game’s origins, the same size as a badminton court. You’ll want some room on all sides, so plan on 30 feet wide by 60 feet long. As with most courts, concrete is a preferred surface, followed by asphalt.

You can even play on grass, although the bounce of the ball will change. And if the court itself is slightly smaller in size, most people won’t care. The idea is to have fun.

Multiuse Play Area

A backyard court can do triple duty as a spot for basketball and roller hockey, with a tennis backboard thrown in for good measure. Outdoor lighting means the court can be enjoyed even when the sun goes down.

Basketball courts are a logical starting point for a multipurpose surface. It’s easy to add the nets and the markings for tennis, pickleball and badminton. Adding weatherproof boards around the court and flooding it with water can turn the summer fun space into a hockey or skating rink in the winter in cold-weather climes.

Side-by-Side Setup

Careful planning and a willingness to try something new can let you squeeze more than one sport into your yard, while still having a space that looks great.

Here’s what to consider about material, style, fuel type, location, cost and safety when adding an outdoor fire pit.

So many options awaits you when it comes to buying a fire pit, whether you purchase a ready-made model or work with a craftsman to make one custom for your space. Either way, it can be tough to know where to begin. Here’s some tips to help guide your decision process.

Local Regulations

Before you jump into buying a fire pit, check with your city building codes and local authorities for regulations about outdoor fire pit placement or restrictions for burning wood. If you live in a condo or apartment complex, also check with your building or homeowners association to see if there are any regulations regarding outdoor fire pits. If you’re renting, run it past your landlord.

There are often regulations regarding fire pit placement for safety, such as siting a fire pit at least 10 feet away from buildings and fences. Some areas may require a site inspection by local fire officials to check that your proposed location is fire-safe. If your area regulates fuel type for environmental reasons, skip wood-burning models and opt for smoke-free ones that run on propane or natural gas.

Style

Fire pits come in a range of shapes, sizes and designs that can fit with any backyard style and homeowner needs. The challenge is narrowing your options and finding the right one for you. A good place to start is to identify a fire pit that coordinates with your existing backyard design in style, color, shape or material.

In addition to selecting a fire pit that fits in with the overall landscape style, choose a model that suits how you intend to use it. 

Size

Fire pit sizes range from small portable models to larger built-in styles. Choose a size and style that fits with your budget and location. Store-bought fire pit models commonly range from 24 to 30 inches in diameter. Built-in units can range from 36 to 58 inches across.

Height can range between low-to-the-ground fire bowls to taller models. If you’d like to be able to rest your feet on the lip of a fire pit, choose a model that’s either even with or slightly lower than standard seat height (typically 18 inches). Fire pit height compared to seat height also affects reflected warmth.

Pro tip: 

If you’d like the fire to warm you from your seat, aim for a lower fire pit. Keeping [a fire pit] a little lower, at 18 to 20 inches, provides more heat to the body.

Keep in mind how much space you’ll need for seating and circulation when determining the fire pit size. As a rule of thumb, budget on about 5 to 7 feet around all edges of a fire pit for chairs and movement through the area. Make sure you design around the fire pit, leaving room for big, comfy chairs and ample mobility.

If you’re planning to add built-in seating, keep the distance between the back wall of the seating area and the fire between 40 and 48 inches.

Permanent or Portable

Another consideration when buying a fire pit is whether you want the flexibility of a portable model or want to invest in a fire pit that will stay put as a permanent feature in your backyard. Lightweight portable fire pits can be a great option for renters; you can move them around and light them up in different areas of the backyard.

Material

Fire pits come in a variety of materials, including stone, metal, concrete or a mixture of multiple materials. Choose a material that suits your taste, coordinates with the design of your backyard and holds up well to stains and frequent use.

There are ups and downs from each material. Concrete is durable but can stain from soot. Powder-coated metal is durable but can get hot. Natural stone is great but can stain and occasionally will crack from heat if not built correctly.

If you are using a natural gas or propane-burning model, you may also be able to select the fire media, material in the flame area that covers the burner. Options range from decorative balls to lava rock and fire glass in many colors, sizes and shapes.

Cost

Fire pits have a wide range of costs. With a fire pit made using stacked stones in a ring or a basic model (typically made of metal and set up for wood burning only), you can keep the price under $100. Freestanding fire pits made from materials such as stone, concrete or powder-coated metal can run from $300 to $2,000 or more, depending on design. For custom and built-in models, budget $1,000 to $5,000 or more.

Fuel Type

Choose among three fuel options: wood, propane or natural gas. Wood-burning fire pits offer the classic crackling fire sound but are increasingly regulated due to environmental concerns about air-polluting smoke. 

Propane and natural gas offer the advantages of being smoke-free, easier to clean up and quicker to turn on and off. Both choices come with pros and cons: If you choose natural gas, prepare to potentially pay more for installation. You’ll also need to obtain a permit in order to extend a gas line. Propane saves on [the] cost of not having a gas line extended or permitted, but you’ll need to figure out where to hide the propane tank, ideally in a spot where it’s out of sight but still easy to refill.

Permitting

In general, you do not need a permit to install a standard-size backyard fire pit. If you choose a fire pit that runs on natural gas, you may need a permit to extend your gas line. Some areas may require a site inspection by local fire officials to check that your proposed location is fire-safe. Fire pits that are considered extra-large, over 4 feet in diameter, may require a permit or have other safety or installation requirements. Check your city building codes and local authorities before getting started.

Location

Building regulations will dictate where your fire pit can and cannot be in your yard, so check those first. Other things to consider when choosing a location for a fire pit include space constraints, fuel type and how you’d like to use the fire pit.

If a fire pit is part of a larger design-build project, one has to consider how it flows with the rest of the design. This includes site lines from the house and how the materials work together. 

Keep in mind that the main use of the fire pit will be in the cooler months. From what direction are the prevailing cold winds? It’s best to situate the fire pit in a space where it will be protected from these winds.

Safety and Other Considerations

Consider fire-safety measures when operating an outdoor fire pit and take measures to reduce risk. Make sure everyone in the house knows how to turn off or put out the fire feature, and never leave young children unattended around the flames.

Both location and choosing a fire-safe flooring material around the fire pit can make a big difference in increasing safety. Fire pits should be positioned at least 10 feet away from buildings and fences, on level ground and in an open area without overhanging trees. Fire-safe outdoor flooring materials to consider include: decomposed granite, crushed gravel, concrete, flagstone pavers or bare earth raked free of all flammable debris.

For wood-burning fire pits, it’s a good idea to have a spark arrester, a screen to catch sparks.

Whatever style or size of fire pit you choose, there’s a good chance it will become a favorite evening hangout spot that will inspire new traditions.

Whether you’re in a rush to get a lunch made or dinner on the table, an overstuffed fridge can really slow you down. A well-organized fridge, on the other hand, can help food stay fresh longer, reduce waste and make meal prep easier. Here are some simple strategies to get your fridge in order.

Give Your Fridge a Fresh Start

Before you go on your next trip to the store, take the time to give your fridge a thorough cleaning out. Check all those condiment bottles, the bottom of the crisper drawer and the back of the fridge, and pull out anything that is no longer fresh. Once you’ve done this, wiped down the shelves, drawers and door, it’s time to get organized.

Use Bins and Trays to Keep Your Fridge Cleaner

Removable, washable plastic trays and bins make it easy to clean up when a container springs a leak — just remove the whole tray and toss it in the sink or dishwasher. Bins are great for corralling groups of items that you would like to store together.

Make it Easier to Keep Track of Leftovers

Keep a roll of masking tape and a felt-tip marker near the fridge for marking leftovers with the date, and you can tell at a glance whether something needs to be used up soon or tossed.

Organize by Temperature to Keep Food Fresh Longer

The door and top shelf are the warmest parts of the fridge. The middle shelves maintain the most consistent temperature, and the bottom back stays the coldest. The drawers usually give you some additional control for humidity, which can affect how long fruits and vegetables stay fresh.

What to Keep Where

◦  Upper shelves: Leftovers, snack foods and drinks

◦  Middle shelves: Eggs, dairy and deli meats

◦  Bottom shelf: Raw meat and fish

◦  Higher humidity drawer: Fresh vegetables

◦  Lower humidity drawer: Fresh fruit

◦  Door: Butter, soft cheeses, condiments, pasteurized juice and fresh herbs

How to Prep Produce

Washing produce when you get home from the market can be a great time-saver when it comes to making dinner on busy weeknights. However, since water can make fresh produce go bad more quickly, be sure to thoroughly dry all fruit and vegetables before putting them in the fridge.

◦  Whole, washed peppers, carrots and celery can be returned to the drawer after being thoroughly dried.

◦  Freshly washed lettuce should be dried as much as possible in a salad spinner and then gently wrapped in paper towels inside a large zip-top plastic bag or food storage container.

◦  If you plan to chop veggies or fruit in advance, store the cut pieces in airtight food storage containers and plan to use them within a few days.

How to Store Fresh Herbs

Ideally, we would all have pots of fresh herbs within arm’s reach of our kitchen. If you do have an herb garden, aim to snip only as much as you need at one time. If you don’t grow your own herbs, try these methods for keeping those bundles of store-bought herbs fresh for as long as possible.

◦  Fresh basil and cilantro can be treated like a bouquet of fresh flowers: Snip the ends, place in a glass of water and store on your counter. This works well with most other soft, long-stemmed herbs as well (such as parsley).

◦  Smaller bundles of herbs can be gently tucked inside a plastic bag, along with a layer of dry paper towels. Keep the whole bundle in the fridge door, where it’s warmest.

What Not to Store in the Fridge

If your fridge is overstuffed, it could be that you’ve been storing some items that would be better off on the counter or in a cool, dark pantry.

◦  Bananas, avocados and any fruit that still needs ripening should be left on the counter.

◦  Tomatoes, melon and delicate, farm-fresh berries taste best when left at room temperature and eaten within a day or two of bringing them home. But if you need them to last longer, stash them in the fridge.

◦  Keep oils, coffee, bread, potatoes, onions and whole heads of garlic in a cool, dark place.

Make Mini Clear-Outs Part of Your Weekly Routine

While planning what to have for dinner in the week ahead, it’s natural to check for ingredients in the fridge. Use this time to straighten up the shelves and do a quick clearing out of old leftovers and items that are past their prime.