Nowadays, it seems like there’s a special holiday for just about everything—even household chores! November 15th—National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day—is one such example of a silly holiday, but we think its timing could not be better. As you prepare to stock up on Thanksgiving foodstuffs, use this day as a chance to clear out your space, make room for more, and enjoy some creativity along the way.
Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite ways to celebrate the day, and make this chore feel a little less like a chore.
Put your leftovers to work
If your refrigerator is like that of many households, it’s probably stuffed to the brim with leftovers in plastic containers that you meant to get to—but never did. To make those leftovers more appealing the second time around, why not put them to use in all new ways? You can create mashed potato pancakes for a savory take on the traditional breakfast, or create a leftover casserole (supplemented with fresh noodles or a hearty soup), a recipe that will come in handy in the days following Thanksgiving.
Get creative
Don’t feel like cooking up a storm to get rid of your leftovers or unused foods? Hand off the task to the entire family, who can try out their own unique recipes like an at-home version of your favorite cooking competition show. You can also use this time to evaluate the foods your family loves best, and what they can do without next time.
Donate unopened, unexpired foods
Of course, if you have any foods that are unused but are still good to eat (like unopened condiments or premade meals you no longer need), donate them to a nearby food pantry and make your refrigerator cleaning doubly beneficial.
Use your cleaning day as a much-welcomed excuse to dine out
If you ever needed an excuse to dine out, today might just be it! After cleaning out your refrigerator, you might find that you’re running low on meals for the family, refreshments or must-have sides—and if your next grocery trip isn’t for a few days, a dinner with Stonewood might be just what you need. It’s a great way to reward yourself and your family for having completed this tricky task!
Are you ready to clean out your refrigerator? While it may not be the most exciting item on your to-do list, there are still plenty of ways for you to make it fun and rewarding in the process.
Make tonight extraordinary! Each of our 12 Stonewood locations has its own unique community flair—but they all commit to the same excellence in fine ingredients and kitchen expertise. Find a Location and be sure to Sign Up for our E-Club for news and special offers!
