Christmas Holiday Kitchen Towels: What to Buy, How to Use Them, and What to Skip
Christmas Holiday Kitchen Towels: What to Buy, How to Use Them, and What to Skip
Christmas kitchen towels are one of those small details that most people skip and that make a big difference. They’re the towels you use during the holiday season, and they’re the touch that makes the kitchen feel festive without requiring a full decoration overhaul. The problem is that most people either skip holiday towels entirely (they just use their regular towels) or buy the cheapest ones they can find (thin, printed towels that look like they came from a dollar store). The right kitchen towels are quality, festive, and make the kitchen feel polished. This guide covers what to buy, how to use them, and what to skip.
Christmas holiday kitchen towels covers the dish towels, hand towels, and bar towels used in the kitchen during the holiday season. The best kitchen towels are quality, festive, and functional. The worst are thin, cheap, and so busy with patterns that they look chaotic.
The right Christmas kitchen towels make the kitchen feel festive and functional. Here’s what to buy, how to use them, and what to skip.
Types of Christmas Kitchen Towels
Cotton Dish Towels
Cotton dish towels are the most common type of kitchen towel. They’re the towels you use for drying dishes, wiping counters, and general kitchen tasks.
What to look for:
- A quality material (100% cotton, not microfiber)
- A weight of at least 400gsm (thick enough to absorb, not thin and flimsy)
- A simple, elegant design (a holiday motif, a solid color, or a simple pattern)
- A set of 2 to 4 towels (so you have backups)
- A size that fits the oven handle or a towel bar (standard is 16 x 26 inches)
- A hanging loop or a tag (for easy hanging)
What to skip:
- Towels that are too thin (they don’t absorb)
- Towels with busy patterns (large Santa faces, full scenes)
- Towels that aren’t cotton (microfiber feels cheap)
- Towels without a hanging loop
Price range: $10 to $20 for a set of 2 to 4.
Linen Dish Towels
Linen dish towels are the premium option. They’re the towels that are more absorbent, more durable, and more elegant than cotton.
What to look for:
- A quality material (100% linen or a linen-cotton blend)
- A weight of at least 400gsm
- A simple, elegant design (a holiday motif, a border, or a solid color)
- A set of 2 to 4 towels
- A size that fits the oven handle or a towel bar
What to skip:
- Linen towels that are too thin
- Linen towels with busy patterns
- Linen towels that are too expensive
Price range: $15 to $30 for a set of 2 to 4.
Waffle Weave Towels
Waffle weave towels are the modern, textured option. They’re the towels with a honeycomb texture that’s absorbent and quick-drying.
What to look for:
- A quality material (cotton or a cotton-linen blend)
- A waffle weave texture (for absorbency and quick drying)
- A simple, elegant design (a holiday color or a simple pattern)
- A set of 2 to 4 towels
- A size that fits the oven handle or a towel bar
What to skip:
- Waffle weave towels that are too thin
- Waffle weave towels with busy patterns
Price range: $12 to $25 for a set of 2 to 4.
Bar Mop Towels
Bar mop towels are the heavy-duty option. They’re the towels you use for spills, cleaning, and heavy-duty tasks.
What to look for:
- A quality material (100% cotton, terry cloth)
- A weight of at least 500gsm
- A simple design (a holiday color or a simple stripe)
- A set of 4 to 6 towels
- A size that’s easy to handle (standard is 16 x 19 inches)
What to skip:
- Bar mop towels that are too thin
- Bar mop towels with busy patterns
Price range: $10 to $20 for a set of 4 to 6.
How to Use Christmas Kitchen Towels
On the Oven Handle
The oven handle is the most common place for a kitchen towel. It’s the place where the towel is always within reach.
How to do it: Choose a festive towel. Fold it in half (lengthwise). Drape it over the oven handle. Adjust so it hangs evenly.
Tip: Choose a towel that coordinates with your kitchen decor. Good combinations: red and white, green and cream, or neutral.
On a Towel Bar
A towel bar is the place for a hand towel in the kitchen. It’s the place where guests dry their hands.
How to do it: Choose a festive hand towel. Fold it in thirds. Hang it on the towel bar. Adjust so it hangs evenly.
Tip: Choose a towel that’s quality enough to use but festive enough to display.
On the Counter
The counter is the place for a dish towel. It’s the towel you use for drying dishes and wiping counters.
How to do it: Choose a festive dish towel. Fold it and place it on the counter, near the sink. Replace it with a fresh one when it gets dirty.
Tip: Choose a towel that’s absorbent and that you don’t mind getting dirty.
For a Holiday Party
For a holiday party, kitchen towels are the way to make the kitchen feel prepared for guests.
How to do it: Choose a set of 2 to 4 festive kitchen towels. Place one on the oven handle. Place one on the towel bar. Keep the other towels as backups. Replace used towels with fresh ones during the party.
Tip: Choose a set of 2 to 4 so you have enough for the whole party.
How to Choose Christmas Kitchen Towels
Choose a quality material. 100% cotton or linen, not microfiber. A weight of at least 400gsm.
Choose a simple design. A holiday motif, a border, or a solid color. Not a busy pattern with large figures.
Choose a color that coordinates. Choose a towel color that coordinates with your kitchen decor. Good combinations: red and white, green and cream, blue and white, or neutral.
Choose the right size. Dish towels (16 x 26 inches), bar mop towels (16 x 19 inches).
Choose a set, not a single. A set of 2 to 4 gives you backups for when one is in the wash.
Choose quality over quantity. Two $15 quality towels are better than four $5 cheap towels.
What to Skip Entirely
Thin, cheap towels. They don’t absorb, they look cheap, and they don’t last. Choose a weight of at least 400gsm.
Busy patterns. A towel with a large Santa face or a full Christmas scene looks chaotic. Choose simple, elegant designs.
Microfiber towels. Microfiber feels cheap and doesn’t absorb well. Choose 100% cotton or linen.
Towels without a hanging loop. A towel without a hanging loop is hard to hang. Choose towels with a loop or a tag.
Too many towels. 2 to 4 kitchen towels is enough for most households. Don’t buy more than you need.
Towels that can’t be washed. Towels with metallic threads or delicate embellishments may not be machine washable. Choose towels that are easy to wash.
FAQ
What are Christmas kitchen towels? Christmas kitchen towels are dish towels, hand towels, and bar towels with holiday designs that are used in the kitchen during the holiday season. They’re the small touch that makes a kitchen feel festive.
What should I look for in Christmas kitchen towels? Look for a quality material (100% cotton or linen, not microfiber), a weight of at least 400gsm, a simple and elegant design (a holiday motif, a border, or a solid color), a set of 2 to 4 towels, and a hanging loop or tag. Choose quality over quantity.
How much do Christmas kitchen towels cost? Cotton dish towels cost $10 to $20 for a set of 2 to 4. Linen dish towels cost $15 to $30 for a set of 2 to 4. Waffle weave towels cost $12 to $25 for a set of 2 to 4. Bar mop towels cost $10 to $20 for a set of 4 to 6.
Where can I buy Christmas kitchen towels? You can buy Christmas kitchen towels at Target (trendy, affordable), HomeGoods and TJ Maxx (quality, discounted), Amazon (wide selection), Williams Sonoma (quality kitchen towels), and a craft store (Michaels, Hobby Lobby for simple, affordable towels). Choose based on your budget and style.
What should I avoid when buying Christmas kitchen towels? Avoid thin, cheap towels (they don’t absorb), busy patterns (they look chaotic), microfiber towels (they feel cheap), towels without a hanging loop, too many towels (2 to 4 is enough), and towels that can’t be machine washed.
How do I use Christmas kitchen towels? Place a festive towel on the oven handle (folded in half, draped over the handle). Place a festive hand towel on the towel bar (folded in thirds). Place a dish towel on the counter near the sink. Replace used towels with fresh ones during a party.
What size Christmas kitchen towels should I buy? Dish towels: 16 x 26 inches (standard). Bar mop towels: 16 x 19 inches. Choose the size that fits your oven handle, towel bar, or counter.
References
- Amazon. “Christmas Kitchen Towels.” Check on Amazon
- Williams Sonoma. “Holiday Kitchen Towels.” https://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/holiday-kitchen-towels/
- Target. “Christmas Kitchen Towels.” https://www.target.com/c/christmas-kitchen-towels
