It’s more than the recipe you use, how delicious it turns out, or even how beautiful it looks when you’re done. Time in the kitchen around the holidays is all about investing in time together. The joy and memories that last are because of the people you are preparing with and for.
I can envision the heads nodding in agreement, but also understand it can be daunting to start. If your kitchen isn’t already set up for cooking this holiday season, I encourage you to think about shopping secondhand. Often these are special/themed pieces that are used only a few times of the year. Goodwill allows you to spend a fraction of full retail, it’s a great place to start or add to what you already use. There are so many essential cooking products you can snag right at Goodwill. Here’s a few I’d recommend looking for:

Cookbooks

Sometimes, paging through a new cookbook to get some inspiration is a great starting point. I like searching for classics like Martha Stewart or Better Homes and Gardens but also enjoy looking for those homemade cookbooks that are filled with families tried and true recipes.

Mixing Bowls

You can never have enough mixing bowls. During the holidays you often cook several dishes at the same time. Maybe something needs to rest or cool before you move onto the next step, if you have multiple bowls no need to pause, just grab another bowl. I especially like it when I can find a nesting set like the ones below. They fit in your cupboard better this way and are often the best bang for your buck. Three glass bowls for $10 is a great price. These are organized by the type of material they are made of (glass, ceramic, metal, or plastic), so make sure to check all the houseware isles.

Cookie Sheets

I often use multiple sheet pans during the holidays. The most obvious time to have multiple sheet pans is when we bake Christmas cookies. Cookie sheets not only bake all the cookies, but they corral all the sprinkles and mess when we are decorating all our candies. 

Cookie Cutters and Rolling Pins

Want some fun and unique cookie shapes? Goodwill NCW is the answer! I suppose it’s the answer even if you want traditional shapes as well. I also recommend having multiple rolling pins. Whether it is my family of six, or a group of my sisters, nieces and nephews, it’s always a full kitchen and having multiple cookie cutters is helpful.

Bakeware

I have never been to Goodwill NCW without seeing bakeware. Again, several recipes at the same time call for multiple. Whether it’s for the turkey, sweet potato casserole, or a dessert, there are often plenty to choose from. Pie plates are some of my favorites to search for and get from Goodwill. You can get them at such an affordable price and it’s fun to bake for others and tell them to keep the plate. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

The possibilities of different things you can find at Goodwill for baking are endless. Think, mixing spoons, small appliances, aprons, towels, hot pads, measuring spoons and cups, etc. You won’t always find it all in one stop, but it’s a great place to start when thinking about your baking needs this holiday season. Save some money by shopping at Goodwill NCW. We all know how much money is spent during these months. Don’t let that stop you from creating memories with those you love.