Have the Right Equipment on Hand

Most countertops aren't heatproof, so you'll need a place to rest your hot dishes and allow air flow for better cooling. Invest in a few of these - you'll always wish you had one more.

Whether you're making cookies, roasting vegetables, or protecting your oven from an overflowing apple pie, rimmed baking sheets are a necessary investment for holiday cooking. Make sure you have at least one pan that's big enough to fit a wire rack. Smaller sizes come in handy, too.

It never hurts to have two sets of tongs, so opt for both a stainless and a silicone-tipped (for nonstick pans) pair. The locking variety takes up less space in your drawer or equipment bucket.

You can't make mashed potatoes without this handy piece of equipment.

Stainless steel mixing bowls are light and easy to stack, but you'll need glass bowls if you want to microwave anything.

So handy—and not just for baking cookies.

When you want your casserole to have a browned, crispy topping, the broiler is often the way to go. Just make sure that your casserole dish is safe for those extreme temperatures.