Whether it’s a baby shower or your favorite holiday of the year (Halloween, anyone?), marking a special occasion calls for multitasking mastery, what with gifts to wrap, treats to bake, and decorations to put up. Make it easy by planning—and doing as much as possible—ahead of time. The tips, tricks, checklists, and meal-prep timelines on these pages will let you focus on having happy birthdays, giving thanks, and sharing the joy.