However, when you’re planning on hosting multiple people at your own home staying on top of your family’s everyday needs can seem overwhelming, and you can find yourself not being able to enjoy the fun events you put so much effort into planning. The good news is that with a little planning, you can save yourself stress and have everything you need to be able to relax and enjoy the occasion, whatever it may be!

Every family has go-to staples they need on a weekly basis, all year round. To make sure you don’t run out of any must-have items, do a quick tour of your kitchen and list what you know you can’t do without on any given week, along with the quantities you usually go through. Your list will be unique to your family, but may include items like a pint of milk, a loaf or two of bread, a carton of eggs or boxes of pasta. Hosting guests for more than a couple of days? Simply double your list.

Plan your menus

For special holidays, dinners or other occasions when you plan to entertain, make a menu well ahead of the event so you can check your recipes and make sure you’ve got everything you’ll need. If your recipes call for fresh ingredients, plan to pick them up close to the event date. Make a note to yourself on your calendar or planner so you won’t forget.