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Make room in the fridge before Thanksgiving

The casserole fits in the oven. The question is where it goes when someone walks through the door holding another one.

Before the grocery run, give yourself 15 minutes to decide what needs space. Work with the dishes and containers you’ll actually use. A clear plan for one shelf can do more for you than organizing the whole fridge.

Make a short list and check the fit

1. List what’s coming in. Include groceries, make-ahead dishes, and anything a guest has said needs fridge space. Put a star beside unusually tall or wide containers.
2. Try the biggest container first. Set the empty dish where you expect it to go and make sure the door closes. That’s its spot.
3. Choose one shelf for the holiday. Tell the household what belongs there. The next person putting away groceries will know where to leave room.
4. Set out the leftover containers. Pair them with lids ahead of time and check where they’ll stack.