Tips from our readers to help you incorporate Shabbos prep into every day.
A couple of years ago, we rounded up some great BCP posts with tips that can help you be more organized for Shabbos, especially important now that we’re entering early Shabbos season! They include posts on How to Get Your Family Involved in Shabbos Prep to our really helpful Shabbos Menu Organizer, and much more!
But a quick poll showed us that our readers have lots of great ideas too! Some of these tips, inspired by our readers, may seem obvious, but divided by day, they feel very approachable. For us, it means we’re much more likely to implement them.
Motzei Shabbos:
- I put candles in the leichter on motzei Shabbos before I put it away. –Shayna
Sunday:
- Invite my guests on Sunday so I can properly shop and menu plan. They also feel good knowing they are not an afterthought (especially singles). –S Mara
Monday:
- Divide and conquer! Start on Monday (even if it’s just a small task) and try not to leave anything for Friday. –Layla
Tuesday:
- Freeze batches of whatever freezes well! It feels so good when you know “I already have this ready in my freezer.” –Roses
Wednesday:
- Soup and baking on Wednesday. Rest of food Thursday. Chicken, kugel, and cleaning on Friday. –Chana
- Whether you’re shopping or making an online order, get all the groceries in house on Wednesday. –Rifki
Thursday:
- Set the table Thursday night. It changes the tone in the house to “Shabbos is coming.” –Rivi
- Aim to finish most, if not all, by Thursday night. –AD
Friday:
- I set a deadline for me to be out of the kitchen by 12 p.m. I make a list and go into the kitchen. I set out all the ingredients I need out and then set a limit to bang it out. –Chaya E.
- Take a shower 2 hours before the zman. –Chaya S.
- Shower in the morning before you get dressed. It makes you feel calm and ready. –Rivi
- I put a deadline in my head to light 10–15 minutes early so I have that buffer time. –Golda
Good Shabbos!
Great tips! thank you BCP
Another tip I’ve implemented is to only put away tissues and bottles (if that’s how you hold) once they’re opened. They don’t go into their “home” until then so it’s not even something on my erev Shabbos list anymore. For bottles I just used a serrated knife to separate the cap from the plastic ring so it stays fully sealed.
Amazing tip! Thank you. I will iyH start doing this.
There’s a lady who runs a raffle for teens and children every month to enhance their Shabbos by either taking on something for Shabbos, or being ready early. You can text her for more info. The raffle takes place once every 4 weeks, every week gains you another entry 917.690.1237 S. Cohen
Does anyone have any book recommendations that they have enjoyed that have helped enhance their kedushas Shabbos? (Not really looking for Halacha, more hashkafa related to Shabbos). Thanks!
Rav Shimshon Pincus on Shabbos
Shabbos in my soul by Rabbi Boruch Leff
the bcp shabbos planner helps me stay super organized, love it and thank you so much again! I got it for my niece when she got married!