Part of the enjoyment of a holiday meal for me (besides eating it!) is preparing it. I don’t usually get so involved in my cooking, favoring quick, simple recipes that go better with my busy schedule. Thanksgiving gives me a great opportunity to putter around in the kitchen and feel domestic. What I don’t enjoy is the cleanup!

Here are some tips I use to cut after-dinner cleanup down as much as possible so I can spend more time with family and friends:

1. Prep ahead. Preparing foods a day or two before the holiday meal takes place saves time and counter space on the holiday itself. Desserts are easy to do ahead of time, but some side dishes can also be made in advance (check out this recipe for Make-Ahead Holiday Mashed Potatoes from my sister). Even dishes that should be assembled shortly before being cooked create less mess when you clean, peel and chop some of the ingredients beforehand.
2. Clean as you go. As soon as you’ve finished using that pot, pan or mixing bowl, wash it, dry it, and put it away. This will leave you more space to work with on your counters and give you less to do when dinner is over.
3. Let it soak. Before sitting down to dinner, fill the sink with hot, soapy water. Add used pots and pans so they’ll be easier to clean later. The water will also be ready to receive used dishes when everyone is done eating.
4. Hand wash. It’s not likely everything will fit in the dishwasher after a complicated Thanksgiving dinner, no matter how small your gathering! Load the dishwasher with non-delicate dinnerware and glasses, reserving fine china, crystal and larger items like pots, pans and serving dishes to hand wash. Remember: many hands make light work, so call in reinforcements to help!
5. Clean while giving dinner a chance to settle. Here’s a trick I learned from my mother: instead of jumping right into dessert once the meal is over, clear the table, put away the leftovers, load the dishwasher and start soaking the pots and pans. Hand wash delicate items and let them air dry in a rack. By the time you’re done, the coffee will be ready and people will feel more up to tackling dessert after that rich meal. We completely clear and wipe down the table so we can enjoy dessert in the family room; that leaves only the dessert plates and coffee cups to contend with when we’re finished.
6. Finish up with club soda. Once the dishes are done and the counters wiped down, go over the sink and stovetop with a clean cloth dampened with club soda to eliminate grease and add extra shine.

Happy Thanksgiving!