Dear Devorah,
Pesach felt so overwhelming this year, and I want to be more prepared for next time. What are some tips for to make next year’s setup smoother and less stressful?
–Pesach Overload
Dear Overloaded,
I get it—Pesach just ended, your kitchen looks like it survived a war, and all you want to do is shove everything into boxes and deal with it next year.
But let’s be real—next year, when you’re knee-deep in cleaning and prepping, you’re going to regret that decision. So before you pack it all away in a haphazard mess, take a few extra minutes to do it right. Future-you will thank you.
1. Pack Smarter, Not Harder
Your goal? Make unpacking next year effortless.
✔ Reverse-order packing. What do you need first? Mixer, food processor, and basic cookware should go in last for easy access. Seder dishes? Those can go in the back or higher up —no need to dig through mountains of stuff just to start cooking.
✔ Label your boxes. Future-you does NOT want to open a mystery bin labeled “Pesach Stuff.” Be specific: Meat Pots & Pans, Baking Supplies, Seder Box. Bonus points if you attach a quick inventory list to the outside.
✔ Take out what you didn’t use. If that fancy gadget or random ingredient sat untouched again, it might be time to part ways.
2. Save Your Grocery List & Recipes
Pesach grocery shopping is practically a military operation—so why start from scratch next year?
✔ Save your grocery list. Before Yom Tov, print or jot down what you bought and add notes as you go. Did you need more eggs? Less potato starch? Write it down now so you’re not guessing next time.
✔ Keep your menus and meal plans. Highlight what worked (and what flopped) so you know what to repeat.
✔ Organize your recipes.
• Store them in a binder (with sheet protectors!) or a digital folder.
• Feeling ambitious? Categorize them by type—meats, kugels, desserts—so you can find things easily.
• Toss the ones that didn’t work. If that “amazing” lemon cake was a disaster, it doesn’t need a second chance.
• Make notes on what you liked. Did that brisket recipe taste great but take too long? Would you tweak the seasoning on the apple kugel? Write it down so next year’s cooking is even smoother.
3. Keep Track of What You’re Keeping
Not all ingredients need to be tossed, but if you don’t keep a clear list, you’ll end up rebuying things you already have.
✔ Unopened items you’re keeping? Coffee, potato starch, spices—jot them down and tape the list to the box. For perishables like oil, cocoa, and sugar, add them directly to next year’s grocery list. Want to make things even easier? Store your saved items list with your grocery list so you know exactly what not to buy.
✔ Basic supplies? Keep a fresh stash of plastic and paper goods, Ziplocs, foil, tape, Sharpies, and cabinet locks so you’re not making an emergency store run next year.
4. The Final Pesach Cleanup Checklist
✔ Check the microwave, sink, and dishwasher. Nothing says Pesach fail like discovering last year’s leftover kugel in the microwave. (Yes, it happens.)
✔ Save kids’ projects and Haggadahs in a labeled box so you’re not tearing the house apart next year when your kids insist they need that one from three years ago.
✔ Mark “Meat” and “Dairy” on items before you forget. Save yourself the annual “Wait, was this the milchig or fleishig cutting board?” guessing game.
✔ Pack a Seder Box. Keep all Seder-related items together—Haggadahs, pillowcases, Ke’arah, Seder prizes—so you can grab it when you need it without rummaging through everything else.
5. Make Next Year Even Better
Every year, there’s something you wish you had thought of earlier.
✔ Wish list: Did your mixer sound like it was dying? Was your soup pot way too small? Make a note before you forget and keep an eye out for sales.
✔ Shopping regrets list: Saw the perfect Seder prizes in a magazine on Yom Tov? Spotted a gorgeous centerpiece too late? Write down ideas now so you’re ready next year.
✔ Counter and fridge liners: Planning to reuse them? Leave yourself a note. Otherwise, you’ll snag more on sale and end up with a lifetime supply.
6. For Those Who Went Away
If you traveled for Pesach, save your packing list! You’ll probably need it again, and making small notes now can save you big headaches later.
✔ Write down what worked. That mini kosher lamp? Genius. Travel-size dish soap? Lifesaver.
✔ Note what you wish you had. Spray ’n Wash for the baby’s spit-up stains? A collapsible wig stand? Extra socks (because somehow, there are never enough)? Jot it down now.
✔ Cross off what you didn’t need. If that fifth pair of shoes never left the suitcase, you can probably skip it next time.
Pesach Packing: A Little Effort Now, A Lot Less Stress Later
With just a little extra effort now, you’ll be setting yourself up for a smoother, more organized Pesach next year—because let’s be honest, you’ll have plenty to do without starting from scratch!
Happy Organizing,
Devorah
The Organizer 