(Photography: supplied)
Preparing for Christmas celebrations can be just as stressful as the day itself. In the lead-up, many of us spend days, sometimes even weeks, planning the menu, cleaning the house, and making sure everything runs smoothly for a big day of family feasting. But there’s one crucial detail that often gets overlooked: the fridge.
Think about it, without a well-organised fridge and enough space to store all those festive goodies, there’s no Christmas lunch. The refrigerator is the unsung hero of the season, quietly keeping everything fresh and ready to go.
To make sure yours is ready for the rush, we reached out to the queen of hosting, and food and styling expert Amanda Cordony, for her top tips on how to prep your fridge ahead of the big day and avoid making common mistakes that will only set you up for disaster.
The biggest mistake hosts make during Christmas prep
The key to a successful and delicious Christmas lunch starts with fresh ingredients, and that all comes down to how you store them. Many people don’t realise that the way they organise their fridge in the lead up can make or break their feast, with food losing its freshness before it even hits the table.
“Most hosts make the mistake of cramming everything in and blocking airflow, which can actually spoil food faster,” Amanda said.
“My tip is to leave space between items for proper circulation and use the fridge’s compartments wisely. Smart fridges like the Hisense PureView French Door Fridge, help with airflow and even suggest where to place items for optimal freshness.”
Amanda’s top tips for how to prep your fridge for Christmas
What can you do to ensure you’re setting yourself up for success on Christmas day? Get organised!
1. Declutter and clean out
The first, most important task ahead of Christmas planning is to give your fridge a deep clean. Those old, expired jars overcrowding the shelves? Bin them. Any wilting, off produce cluttering your fresh produce drawer? Add it to your compost. Any slimy, sticky spills? Clean it up.
“Start with a pre-holiday clear-out so you know what’s in there and make space for festive goodies,” Amanda said.
2. Use clever storage hacks
Don’t waste time looking through supermarket bags for ingredients, it’ll only add to your stress and build up your frustration – and your guests haven’t even arrived yet. Instead, use clever storage hacks so you can find everything you need within seconds.
Amanda suggests finding “stackable containers, adjustable shelves, and bins for small items so everything is easy to access.”
Clear containers, whether glass or plastic, are always a great choice so you can immediately identify what’s inside.
3. Adjust the temperature zones
A nifty feature many people overlook is the ability to adjust your fridge’s temperature zones based on what you’re storing. Different foods thrive in different conditions, so taking a few minutes to organise them properly can make all the difference.
Amanda recommended to “keep drinks colder, fresh produce at the right humidity, and deli items in the prime spot for freshness.”
Drinks and condiments are best kept on the door shelves, where the temperature tends to fluctuate more. Fresh produce belongs in the crisper drawers. Leafy greens and herbs love high humidity, while fruits prefer lower humidity to prevent spoilage. Dairy items like milk, cheese and yoghurt love prime position on the middle shelves, where the temperature stays consistent and cool, helping them stay fresher for longer.
4. Label and organise
It seems obvious, but labelling your produce is a hack that should be taken advantage of more often. If you’re using glass or plastic containers, use a whiteboard marker, it’ll come off when you wash it. Or, Amanda suggested to “use sticky notes or labels.”
This small inclusion to your organisation will help significantly on the big day. “Everyone knows where to find things, especially prepped ingredients or sauces. So label and date containers,” Amanda said.
5. Plan for flow
Creating a clear flow is essential, according to Amanda. “Keep everyday essentials separate from holiday prep items so you don’t have to dig through everything every time you cook.”
Milk, snacks, and condiments are just a few everyday ingredients that you can’t just take out of the fridge ahead of Christmas because they’ll spoil. And we aren’t here to waste food.
Have designated areas of the fridge for Christmas prep, for example, assign the middle or lower shelves to your festive food for consistent cool temperature and keep daily items on top shelves or the door. Or, if you have a second fridge, cooler, or even a clean storage box with ice packs, take advantage of it! It can help keep your food fresh without overcrowding the main fridge.
The best fridge for the job
If you’re looking for a new fridge because yours just isn’t doing the job right, or you’re in dire need of an upgrade, Amanda Cordony swears by the Hisense PureView French Door Fridge.
“Its built-in Intelligent Hub touchscreen helps you keep track of everything in your fridge by letting you log items and monitor expiry dates. Paired with the ConnectLife App, you can check your fridge’s inventory and manage settings remotely, so you’ll always know what you have on hand (and what you still need to buy). It’s like having a sous-chef helping you plan meals, reduce waste, and stay organised while the chaos of Christmas kicks in.”
What makes the Hisense PureView French Door fridge different?
One of the most impressive features of the Hisense PureView French Door fridge is its ability to switch between fridge and freezer.
“This is perfect for holiday prep!” Amanda said. “If you’ve got a week of entertaining ahead, you can switch compartments to freezer mode for storing meats, desserts, or ice blocks, then switch back to fridge mode as you start using ingredients. It gives hosts flexibility to maximise space without overloading, so you’re ready for whatever comes up during the celebrations.”
Amanda’s hot tip for storing Christmas leftovers
“Hot leftovers should be cooled slightly before placing them in the fridge, and use shallow containers to help them cool evenly,” Amanda said. “Try to keep them on the middle shelves and avoid stacking too high so cold air can circulate. With a fridge like the Hisense PureView French Door, the antibacterial liner and precise cooling help keep food safe and fresh, even in a busy, packed fridge.”
