Test the oven in October, honestly
Bake something simple at 350°F and use an oven thermometer. If it reads 25 degrees or more off, or takes 25 minutes to preheat, schedule the repair while parts and appointments are easy to get.
Watch a gas igniter work
A healthy igniter glows bright and lights the burner within about a minute. A dull orange glow that takes minutes, or never lights, is the classic weak igniter, and it only gets weaker.
Skip the pre-holiday self-clean
Self-clean cycles run the oven at extreme temperatures and are a well-known trigger for control and lock failures right before big meals. Run it in January if you must; wipe it by hand in November.
Check the door seal and hinges
A door that does not close flat leaks heat, bakes unevenly, and works the igniter or element harder. Look for gaps and listen for a latch that does not pull the door in.
Know your backup plan
If the oven does quit mid-meal, a range's burners, a slow cooker, and an electric roaster cover most holiday dishes. Then call us; holiday week is emergency season and early callers get the slots.