It’s a mistake that seems all too familiar: November rolls around and you figure there’s still plenty of time to plan for the holiday rush.

But before you know it, your neighbor’s Christmas lights are twinkling, Nat King Cole is singing about chestnuts, and the stores are stuffed with last-minute shoppers—just like you.

Leave those days of procrastination behind you, ladies: kick-start the season with some pre-holiday prep, and take your first step towards hassle-free festivities

1. Make lists

Some of you might think that because you have more time, you can just wing it and do things as they come to mind. Rookie mistake.

Writing down your to-dos, prioritizing them, and checking them off as you go along is imperative if you want to stay organized. To get into the spirit, here is a list of the kinds of lists you could create:

• Christmas gifts for your family and friends
• Holiday essentials (Christmas tree, lights, ornaments, wrapping paper…)
• Guests you’re inviting to your holiday dinner party
• All holiday events you’ll be attending (and the outfits you’ll need)
• Menu for the party you’ll be hosting, and grocery list
• Your own Christmas gift wish list (strategically left lying around…)

2. Find stocking stuffers

Penningtons has tons of stunning stocking stuffers that are perfect gifts to slip into the toe as a special surprise. My personal picks include a pair of teardrop filigree earrings, round cubic zirconium studs, leather gloves with animal-print cuffs, a 16-piece stackable bangle bracelet set, a long glass bead necklace… The list goes on.

3. Shop now, wear it later

Penningtons’ holiday collection is already coming out, so get first dibs on sparkling sequin tanks, timeless LBDs (and matching accessories), lacy little numbers and wild animal-print designs—all of which will take you through the holidays in high style. Shop for your plus-size fashion essentials now, and show them off later.

4. Cook and freeze

While you can’t exactly roast a turkey a month before it’s due, you can however get other menu items out of the way, like pastry shells, hors d’oeuvres like mini quiches or parmesan melts, and first courses like soup.

Need holiday recipe ideas? This fancy yet simple purée for six people will make an impression every time.

Butternut squash and ginger soup

Ingredients:

• 2 butternut squashes, cut in half lengthwise and seeded
• 2 tablespoons pure olive oil
• 2 cups sweet white onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 cups chicken broth

Preparation:

Bake the squash at 375°F face down on an oiled baking sheet for a little under an hour, or until it’s soft. Peel it, put it aside. Heat oil in a stockpot over medium-low heat, and mix in onion, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Let simmer for 10 minutes, add in the chicken broth, bring to a boil and reduce heat, and let simmer for 10 minutes. Purée all the soup in your blender, season it to taste, let it cool.

Divide soup into freezer-friendly containers, and put away until the holidays. When the time comes, top off each serving with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with parsley.

And if I were you, I’d double the recipe.

So how about it? Ready to make your lives easier this holiday season? Start things off at Penningtons in store or online today, and be the envy of everyone around come December 20 when you have every to-do list checked off and done.

Cate Cadbury, Style Consultant for Penningtons