From ordering holiday cards early to sticking to your to-do list, here’s how to avoid holiday stress

• Between shopping, hosting events, and even attending them, the holidays can be stressful. 
• A great way to combat that stress is coming up with a plan. 
• Event and time management experts reveal how to craft your best holiday to-do list.

December to-do lists are no joke. There are cards to send, gifts to buy and wrap, parties to plan — it’s easy to end up feeling more overwhelmed than festive as the holidays approach. 

But with the right plan — and realistic expectations — you can successfully conquer that massive list with minimal stress. A party planning pro and two time management experts shared some tips with Business Insider to create the ultimate timeline for completing holiday tasks. Here’s their best advice.