The Clever Way To Clear Out Your Pantry Without Throwing Away Food

Maintaining a clutter-free pantry is the secret to a well-oiled kitchen, but no one wants to discard perfectly good food. Fortunately, there's an excellent solution that allows you to organize your pantry while also making good use of the excess foodstuffs that lie within. Hospitality baskets are often associated with hotel rooms and other temporary lodgings and are provided to welcome new guests. However, they can also play a beneficial role in your home when it comes to pantry de-cluttering.

Taking food and presenting it in an attractive basket on display in your home shows that you're a conscientious host and homemaker, as guests and family members alike will appreciate the cute assortment of snack items. Making your own gift baskets is also a great way to get a handle on food waste, which amounts to a loss of 119 billion pounds of food every year, according to Feeding America. With this ingenious hospitality hack, you can avoid wasting food while also being a hero to your friends and family.

While you can include fresh foods, such as pieces of fruit and baked goods, in gift baskets, it's usually best to stick to items with longer shelf lives. That way, you can rest easy knowing that your hospitality basket can stand the test of time without going bad. In this case, snack foods are an ideal selection, especially if you're a fan of the little travel-size bags that come in large packs. Chips, pretzels, crackers, and other items are ideal when friends and family are feeling peckish during the day.

If you have loose foods, such as cereals and trail mix, you can also include them in the gift basket. However, you'll need a receptacle to keep those loose items in. In this case, small mason jars are as cute as they are convenient. If you want to encourage good health and wellness, you can also throw in a few granola and cereal bars for a morning boost. Individual coffee packets, hot chocolate, and tea bags are also great additions to your hospitality baskets, as are bottles of water to ensure proper hydration.

If you're making a hospitality basket for your family, a sizable bowl or container is the perfect way to present snacks in your home. In this case, you can place the container in the kitchen, either on the counter or table, in proximity to your pantry for easy cleaning. Choosing a dedicated container is your best option in this case, as it will create a designated area for communal snacks.

If you're planning to make a basket for a special occasion, such as entertaining out-of-town guests, consider using a wicker basket in lieu of a container for a fancier aesthetic. You can also gussy up the wicker basket with ribbons, fresh flowers, and decorative tags inscribed with a friendly and welcoming message. If your home is a hotspot for kids, individual gift baskets are the perfect option. In this case, add kid-friendly treats like dried fruit snacks, yogurt bites, peanut butter crackers, and other child-friendly selections.