These think-ahead steps from professional party planners will help you enjoy your party as much as your guests.

This is a general list of party-prep essentials. You may not need each item, but use it as a guide when preparing your own party checklist.

You can level with us: The idea of throwing your own Halloween party is as terrifying as a horror movie, right? We get it. It’s not as simple as tossing some fake spider webs around the room — those ...