A lot of Christmas happens in the kitchen: baking, cocoa, a table covered in cookie icing. But it’s also where you need every inch of counter. So everything here goes somewhere you don’t cook: the table, a wall, a shelf, the fridge door.

On the table and above the stove

A runner. A 72-inch runner (on Amazon) down the kitchen table or island is the quickest change you can make. Get washable cotton or linen, because December tables get gravy and glue on them. Lay it over your everyday runner rather than replacing it.

A small wreath on the range hood. Twelve to sixteen inches, centered on the front of the hood on a removable hook. Faux only, and at least 24 inches above the burners. The hood is a big, plain surface right where everyone looks.

Lights along open shelves. A warm-white strand (on Amazon) along the front edge of one or two shelves, with the wire tucked behind the plates. In the evening the dishes become little silhouettes. Battery with a timer, so you’re not climbing up to switch it off, and keep it on the front edge, away from food.

Small touches, no counter space

The windowsill over the sink. Three things: a bottle-brush tree, a flameless candle, and a small rosemary plant. Rosemary looks like a tiny Christmas tree, lives happily indoors through winter, and you can cook with it.

Holiday fridge magnets. Little wreaths, mittens, an old truck. About ten dollars, two minutes, and kids notice right away. They go in a drawer on January 2.

Ornaments on cabinet knobs. Tie small shatterproof ornaments (on Amazon) to 6-inch ribbons and loop them over the upper cabinet knobs, every other one rather than all of them. Shatterproof, because cabinet doors get swung.

Towels and napkins. Swap the dish towels (on Amazon), hand towel and napkins for plaid, deep green or red. You’ll be cooking more, so get a few extra; the ones in the laundry aren’t on display.

Smell and a small ritual

A simmer pot. Water, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and a handful of cranberries on the lowest burner. The whole place smells like the holidays in twenty minutes. Keep it at the faintest simmer, top up the water every hour, and keep it in the fridge between uses for two or three days.

An advent calendar on the pantry door. A fabric calendar (on Amazon) with 24 pockets on a removable hook inside the pantry door, filled with chocolates, tea bags or tiny notes. Something that gets opened every morning makes the kitchen feel festive in a way decorations alone don’t.

In January

The runner, towels and magnets go in a drawer. Ornaments and lights fit in a shoebox. The rosemary stays.