The art of entertaining

Prepare to wow your friends and family with hostess flair after picking up tips at Bachman's Inspiration Night. Gather ideas and make holiday plans while strolling through the garden center. Sip wine, enjoy light bites and get advice from experts. Visit inspiration stations throughout the store and learn about floral design, tablescapes, cocktail mixing, holiday bulb design and other topics. Susan Bachman will give the formal presentation, "The Art of Holiday Decor." 4-8 p.m. Nov. 2. $10. Bachman's, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. To register, go to bachmans.com.

Spruce-top workshop

Learn how to create an inviting entry for your home at this seminar. Guests will create a spruce-top container to enjoy indoors or out. Bring your own container or purchase a new one in the store, and begin the class with an informational seminar detailing mechanics and design. 2 p.m. Several dates. $15. Tonkadale Greenhouse, 3739 Tonkawood Rd., Minnetonka. Go to tonkadale.com to register.

Zzzzz

A good night's sleep is important for health and productivity, and so is a comfortable place to lay your head. Gabbert's offers a mattress seminar to help consumers get a better night's sleep. An informal, open-house-style event will share the latest innovations in mattress technology. Store associates will teach guests how to select the right mattress for your sleep style. 9:25 a.m. Nov. 4. Free. To register, go to gabberts.com.

Oktoberfest

This isn't your beer-swilling type of affair. Heidi's Growhaus hosts a family-friendly celebration of Harvest and Halloween. Learn about food preservation through workshops, and how cider is made through demonstrations. Play pumpkin-bowling and hear live music. Enter the pumpkin-carving contest, and see the pollinator puppet show. Taste sweet and savory Bavarian goodies from the Strudel Haus food truck. Noon-4 p.m. Oct. 28. Free, cost of pumpkin only for carving. 7555 County Road 116, Corcoran, growhausmn.com.

MELISSA WALKER