Getting a head start on holiday shopping is one way to ease December stress. Another way is to check your cupboards now for holiday baking essentials so you can avoid beginning a recipe and realising you’re out of sprinkles, parchment paper, or your cookie cutters are sub-par. We have a few great tips to get ready for holiday cookies, quick breads, cakes and pies.

Stock up on Spices

Dried spices lose their potency and freshness within six months to a year from the date they’re first opened, so the spices from last year’s cookie bake-a-thon may need to be replaced. Check your spice cabinet and then stock up on baking essentials, including:

• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Nutmeg

Stock up on Parchment

This becomes a must for the baker, and has a tendency to always fall short. So grab more than you think you need—you’ll likely use it up.

Stock up on Chocolate

Whether your crew craves old-fashioned fudge, classic chocolate chip cookies or something nontraditional, like chocolate fruit cake, it’s a good idea to have several different kinds of baking chocolate on hand.

Stock of Decorations

Don’t end up with lackluster looking treats. Why not pick up a few extra special holiday sprinkles to use this year like red and green sugars, and little silver balls.