Although it may be daunting to cook for a tableful of people, Thanksgiving can actually be the least stressful of the upcoming holidays. Rebekah Johnson, founder of Bergner & Johnson Design, offers five great entertaining tips to help avoid stress on Turkey Day.

No. 1: Keep Decor Simple

Save time to accomplish other things and don't dedicate too much time to decorating for your dinner. Johnson says to keep things simple and suggests decorating the table with baby pumpkins and vases with autumn colored tulips.

"I am very enamored with all of the new varieties and colors of pumpkins," she says, "so I use them by my front door piled up with lots of candles on my porch and in my yard." If decorating for your Thanksgiving dinner seems too overwhelming, Johnson suggests "calling a professional to send over some simple arrangements to place in the key areas."

No. 2: Plan the Meal Ahead and Do Your Prep Early

Johnson advises to dedicate time to carefully planning your menu, although says to remember not to be over-ambitious. "Don't try and make too many dishes unless you have a staff of prep chefs or you'll just end up exhausted," she says.

You can also save time by doing any necessary prep in advance to avoid a marathon of chopping and peeling on the morning of.

No. 3: Accept Help from Friends and Family

Although you may have rebuffed assistance in years past, don't be afraid to accept help from friends and family when planning your Thanksgiving dinner. "If they want to bring a dish, let them bring it, even if it doesn't fit in with your Martha Stewart ideas of a perfect menu," Johnson says.

"I've given up fighting my aunt about her Jello marshmallow salad and now rather expect it as part of the day," she adds. "Remember, if you put Jello salad in a lovely container it becomes something else visually."

In case your guests don't want to bring something, Johnson suggests buying side items from the grocery store or catering pantry and serving them as if you slaved over the dishes for hours.

No. 4: Share the Wealth of Leftovers

Although guests might not want to think about eating ever again after a huge Thanksgiving feast, Johnson says guests will regret not taking leftovers home. "Have some takeaway containers so you can easily send food home with guests," she suggests, adding that having two containers — one for savory food and another for sweets — is an excellent idea.

No. 5: Have a Plan for Beverages

Johnson suggests preparing a fun, light cocktail to serve guests upon arrival. "Something with a hint of sage or rosemary can be a pleasant surprise," she says.

Also, be prepared for different tastes by having champagne, white wine and red wine on hand. "I usually talk to one of the wine experts at Spec's to get suggestions on wines that will pair well with the menu," Johnson adds.

If you think Halloween is a holiday for the kiddos, then you haven’t been to the right parties. Rebekah Johnson, founder of Bergner & Johnson Design, shares eight tips for hosting the most happening Halloween party on the block.

No. 1: Get Specific with Your Spookiness

Kids can have the trick-or-treating, but adults get to party. “Fall-themed events such as Halloween parties are probably more fun for adults than Christmas,” Johnson says.

“Creating a narrow theme can make for a gorgeous ghoulish event. Once I created ‘Mrs. Havisham's Wedding’ for a Halloween party. It allowed for a tattered elegance: broken chandeliers, dripping moss, dead vines growing all around, and black roses hanging on a broken tarnished silver candelabra.”

Another idea: Vampire themes. These can be modern vampires or the traditional, cape-wearing kind. And your setting can be an upscale neighborhood or an old mansion, respectively.

No. 2: Keep a Few Fangs Lying Around

Johnson reminds party hosts to have a few extra costume pieces around, such as masks, fangs, makeup, top hats, etc. so those guests who didn't really think about it can spruce up their costumes. When you send out the invitation, encourage guests to dress up and send a link to a costume rental store to make it easier.

No. 3: Ice, Ice Baby

“Have fun by placing dry ice in drinks to create smoking cocktails,” Johnson says. Silver trays with rock salt or dry ice can also be fun serving platters. “Dry ice in pumpkins works well too. I also like putting votive candles in mini pumpkins,” she adds.

No. 4: The Monster Mash

A great playlist is necessary for a party. Says Johnson, “I always mix in some vintage classics with new tunes, so there are surprises all night long. For Halloween I mix in vintage Disney Haunted House tracks to take the group back to childhood. If it’s a large event, get a band or a DJ to do all the work.”

No. 5: Keep Costuming Consistent

Johnson reminds us to ask the wait staff to dress appropriately so they mix in with the party theme.

No. 6: Go Green

Johnson says lighting is key for a Halloween themed party. “It’s what turns a normal setting into something scary and dark,” she explains. “Normally we avoid green lights for events, since it turns skin an unflattering shade, but at a Halloween party, it's the perfect hue to achieve a creepy effect.”

No. 7: Halloween Alternatives

Maybe you’re not into the October holiday but like the whole idea of dark theme. Johnson says that an alternative is a “Day of the Dead” theme. “It gives a Mexican flavor to the party with the food, costumes and drinks. It could be a party of deceased luminaries like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera,” she says.

No. 8: Keep the Good Times Coming

“Remember the key to any great event is creating a fun and exciting environment that makes your guests want to dance,” Johnson says. “Never lose sight of the top priority: having a blast.”

Learn more about event decorating solutions on by visiting Bergner & Johnson Design online and on Facebook.