Holiday Wrap-Up – December 2024

Although the holiday season is a time for family and friends and making memories, it can be stressful to navigate. Christmas is quickly approaching, which is immediately followed by New Year’s. There seems to be a company event or social gathering every other day, so finding time for one’s own holiday plans or even just a holiday meal can seem impossible, rushed and last minute.

However, last-minute plans, meals and gifts don’t have to mean less meaningful. Heck, some spontaneity can even be fun! Connecting with loved ones is what truly matters during this time of year, whether that’s on a holiday’s day or after. There are also benefits to waiting to host a holiday event after the season has past. It serves as something to look forward to in the New Year and allows for those who might’ve had conflicting plans to make the celebration.

Trust these Lincoln experts to make last-minute holiday planning or presents every bit as meaningful as those that have been planned by others since August! There’s no right way to holiday plan, so consider every option with the following companies.

Last minute doesn’t have to mean less delicious, so let Sweet Things by Marcy (sweetthingsbymarcy.com) check one more thing off the to-list! The most important component of any holiday gathering, pre-planned or last minute, is the goodies. With Sweet Things by Marcy, any kind of last-minute holiday celebration is possible and sure to be a hit.

Sweet Things by Marcy offers an exceptional dessert experience that captures the essence of Southern culinary traditions. Founded by Marcy Haas in October 2020, Sweet Things has evolved from a cozy home-based operation to a bustling commercial production kitchen, responding to the soaring demand for its authentic Southern desserts.

However, Sweet Things’ delectable treats don’t ever lose that homemade taste and feel, which is ideal for the upcoming holiday season, especially if one is trying to redeem oneself from a previous holiday baking disaster. It is rare one is able to live such a thing down, but Sweet Things by Marcy can certainly help!

Marcy’s Alabama roots inspire all Sweet Things creations, including banana pudding, peach cobbler, Kentucky butter cake and sweet potato pie, perfect for uncovering holiday nostalgia or teaching the younger generations what true comfort food tastes like. Sweet Things takes pride in using only the finest ingredients, ensuring each dessert is a masterpiece of flavor and quality.

Everyone deserves a treat during the busy holiday season; it’s a lot! So, treat those tastebuds to two (or ten) delicious goodies from Sweet Things by Marcy.

If one is looking for more than just dessert, daVinci’s (davincis.com) & Greenfield’s (greenfieldscafe.com) offer flexible, tailored menus that can be customized to fit anyone’s specific needs and preferences—even with short notice!

daVinci’s & Greenfield’s understand that schedules can shift unexpectedly during the holidays, so they offer flexible delivery and pickup options, ensuring that customers’ food arrives exactly when they need it. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, daVinci’s & Greenfield’s have it covered!

Even after the holidays, daVinci’s & Greenfield’s offer comforting winter menus, featuring ingredients to capture the essence of the holidays. From daVinci’s flavorful baked pastas, made with original family recipes, to Greenfield’s cozy egg and cheese casserole and delicious biscuits, daVinci’s & Greenfield’s dishes are perfect for post-holiday gatherings and help bring that familiar holiday cheer back to the table.

“We understand that last-minute gift shopping can be stressful, which is why we offer flexible catering options that can be ordered with short notice,” says Owner Kevin Knudson. “We also offer gift cards with bonus cards during the holiday season—an ideal gift for everyone, including family, friends, teachers and colleagues. Our services are designed to be quick, easy and hassle-free, making them the perfect solution for last-minute gifting!”

The Post (thepostlincoln.com) is likewise prepared to make its clients’ last-minute holiday planning stress-free thanks to its comprehensive services. From crafting and serving signature holiday cocktails to private bartenders and catering, The Post has it covered!

The Post takes care of the final touches that transform a great party into an unforgettable event! The Post’s team ensures every detail is perfect—from creating a festive atmosphere with holiday-themed decorations to providing custom music playlists to keep the energy alive all night.

The Post also offers personalized drink menus tailored to guests’ preferences and provides attentive service to make certain everyone feels special and taken care of throughout the event. The Post’s goal is to create a seamless, stress-free experience, so the host or hostess can enjoy the festivities with loved ones.

For those who couldn’t fit their events in before the holidays, The Post extends the cheer into the New Year with its ongoing event planning and hosting services. Whether it’s New Year’s Eve bashes or just wintertime festivities, The Post keeps the spirit alive with bespoke cocktail parties, private bartenders and a warm, welcoming venue. After all, festive gatherings aren’t just for December—The Post can make celebrations unforgettable any time of the year!

But, what if one needs an unforgettable gift? The From Nebraska Gift Shop (fromne.com) makes shopping local for last-minute holiday gifts easy and stress free. If it’s made in Nebraska or about Nebraska, the From Nebraska Gift Shop has it.

From Nebraska Gift Shop’s products make great gifts for the holidays, whether it’s for family, friends or for a corporate gift-giving event. From Nebraska Gift Shop has a great selection of pre-made baskets to choose from and can customize any gift, even taking care of shipping if need be!

From Nebraska Gift Shop also owns James Arthur Vineyards and has a tasting room at its downtown location, so From Nebraska Gift Shop is more than happy to add award-winning wine from Nebraska’s oldest and largest winery to any order. Better yet, From Nebraska Gift Shop has a year-round Christmas store, featuring the area’s best selection of Christmas decorations, ornaments and fun holiday offerings. It’s the perfect store for the Christmas season!

One will undoubtedly find the perfect gift at From Nebraska Gift Shop, but if one wants to get away and enjoy time with family and friends, a trip to James Arthur Vineyards (jamesarthurvineyards.com) is the answer. With live Christmas music throughout the season, sit back and relax by a fireplace and enjoy hosting the perfect party at the winery.

“If you’re looking for last-minute holiday gifts, get two things knocked off your to-do list and pick up a few bottles of wine or hard cider at the vineyard while you enjoy the company of your friends and family,” says Barb Ballard. “A bottle of wine is the perfect stocking stuffer, and James Arthur Vineyards has a plethora of wines and ciders to satisfy any beverage lover in your life!”

For companies looking to send a customized gift to clients or employees, From Nebraska Gift Shop does branded items! Items include apparel, coffee mugs or literally anything else one can slap a logo on. It’s a great way to get the company name and brand out there!

The From Nebraska Gift Shop takes pride in offering the best of Nebraska for Nebraska and tries to make the gift-giving process as painless and as seamless as possible, especially during last minute holiday planning!

Speaking of gifting, new shoes are always an indicator that someone got a visit from Santa Claus! Plus, it is important to send kiddos into the New Year and last half of school on a solid foundation. A lot of kids’ feet grow between the first day of school and Christmas. This is where Lincoln Running Co. (shop.lincrunningcompany.com) can help!

Lincoln Running Co. understands the importance of a great pair of shoes, perfectly fitted to the feet. Not only will the right pair of shoes set a kid’s body up for success, but his/her mind as well. Lincoln Running Co. defines holistic health as activity every day, and this is most definitely the case with kids. Starting kids on their holistic health journey early will help them develop good habits and may even save parents possible medical bills in the future.

Because of its close relationships with the medical professionals in Lincoln and surrounding areas, Lincoln Running Co. knows feet better than anyone else around and knows how important it is to share that knowledge with the community. By helping individuals find the right shoes to keep for themselves or gift this holiday season, Lincoln Running Co. feels it’s fulfilling its commitment to supporting Lincoln and Lincoln’s blooming generations.

“We want the shopping experience with us to be just that, an experience, one that encompasses everything from shoes, training, nutrition and injury prevention to education or whatever else the customer needs to know about running, walking or moving!” says Manager, Ann Ringlein. “We’ve been one of the top 50 Best Running Stores in America three times now, and as proud of that as we are, we are more proud of our relationships with our customers and community.”

Now, what about a more delicate, romantic gift? Not that a new pair of shoes can’t be romantic… Nothing is easier or more beautiful than gifting a hand-picked piece of jewelry. Make a loved one’s holiday one to remember with a dazzling new piece of jewelry from Sartor Hamann Jewelers (sartorhamann.com).

Sartor Hamann Jewelers carries stunning engagement and fashion jewelry collections from top designers, exceptional diamonds, dazzling gemstones and fine Swiss watches. Sartor Hamann Jewelers’ friendly, highly-trained and certified staff is happy to help anyone pick out the perfect last-minute gift.

The Sartor Hamann experience is truly unique and is one of the reasons it has been voted “Best of Lincoln” and “Lincoln’s Choice Jeweler” for decades. It has served generations of families for over 100 years and treats its customers as friends. Sartor Hamann Jewelers invites clients to browse its gift guide on the website or stop in to any of its three showrooms, so the team can make the late-gifting experience less scary.

“At Sartor Hamann Jewelers, we pride ourselves on providing a truly unique shopping experience unlike any other,” says Sartor Hamann South Pointe Assistant Manager Sarah V. “We offer an exquisite collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that you simply won’t find at big box stores. We understand that selecting the perfect gift for your loved ones is about much more than just the item itself—it’s about the meaning behind it. That’s why we offer personalized service to each and every customer.”

Since 1905, Sartor Hamann Jewelers has been the place to go to find the finest jewelry. Sartor Hamann Jewelers was Lincoln’s first fine jeweler, and now, as a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company, it is service driven and known for its cutting-edge style, fashion and innovation. Make it a priority to dazzle friends and family with a thoughtfully selected piece of jewelry this holiday season. Sartor Hamann Jewelers can help anyone look absolutely sparkling just in time to celebrate the “most wonderful time of the year.”

Now, where should one trade those magnificent gifts? At Talon Room (talonroom.com), clients can expect to step into a world where timeless elegance meets modern character. Talon Room’s award-winning venue and catering takes any holiday event to the next level, and it’s the all-in-one answer to last-minute holiday planning.

From venue setup and teardown; tables, chairs and linens; event coordination, full-service catering and bar services to decoration packages, Talon Room is equipped to handle all holiday event needs and go above and beyond to create the most unforgettable event of the season! Talon Room is conveniently located in downtown Lincoln, so no one has to know the event was planned last minute as the party doesn’t have to end at Talon Room–the possibilities are endless!

Talon Room has a variety of price ranges to fit every budget and event type and offers services to help its clients plan their last-minute holiday get-togethers. As Talon Room likes to say, “We set it up, and you make it a party!”

Talon Room’s accommodations include:

• Start-to-finish event management
• A downtown Lincoln historic venue
• Convenient parking and hotel options
• 250-guest capacity
• A wedding suite
• A dedicated event team
• Tables, chairs and basic linens
• Venue setup and teardown
• Fully-integrated A/V: six 65” screens, a sound system and wireless microphones
• Lighting and decoration packages

“If you feel like you’re scrambling to make your last-minute holiday fun work, Talon Room is here to set your mind at ease. We will go above and beyond to make your event special–that’s our promise,” says Owner Matthew Rogge.

What about a venue on wheels?! Last-minute holiday planning doesn’t have to mean boring, and a glowing party bus is far from boring! Tailored Dreams Limousines and Party Buses (tailoreddreamslimousines.com) goes all out every time, making it a go-to for last-minute plans and a guaranteed good time. Renting a holiday party bus will help one host the most memorable holiday event any family member has ever seen!

In 2012, Tailored Dreams Limousines was started with just one limousine. It has since grown its fleet to include party buses that have offered unique and countless memories to Lincoln and the surrounding communities–whether it be for a wedding, birthday, just a fun night out with friends or a holiday extravaganza!

“Tailored Dreams has been privileged to offer party bus services to Lincoln and the surrounding communities for 12 years,” shared Tailored Dreams. “We look forward to continuing to provide our customers with services to make their party bus activities and holiday planning a success.”

Tailored Dreams’ reputation for delivering a merry holiday experience has spread. Take it from one of their recent clients:

“We had an awesome time on our ride last night! Ryan was by far the best driver we’ve ever experienced,” writes Jennie. “When he called a day or so ahead he was so enthusiastic and was helpful in explaining some great spots he planned on driving by. When he found out it was a surprise for all the kids going he said he’d have a special plan for that too! He arrived in a fantastic elf costume, with candy canes for the kids, and did a great job talking to them at the door before leading them all out to see their surprise. He was so much fun, so patient with loud and wild kids, and helped us get our music going, made it simple to meet our random requests to stop and every house he took us to had elaborate displays. Seriously, it was the best experience ever thanks to Tailored Dreams!”

One should be sure to take the venue on wheels to Sun Valley Lanes and Games (sunvalleylanes.com), where there are activities for the whole family to enjoy! For those looking for a last-minute present, gift cards are always a good fit. Compared to a product one might never use more than once, one can always find the perfect use for a gift card promising an experience!

“Maybe you’re already dreading the holidays because it means a loud house and rowdy kids,” says Event Coordinator Jen Miseno. “You can get the kids out of the house by sending them to Sun Valley Lanes, so you can prepare for visitors! Let them expend their energy while also having fun and making memories.”

Sun Valley Lanes understands that when groups come in for their family or company event, they just want to start the fun and not worry about any of the details. Although oftentimes, the person or people in charge of setting the event up are worried about everything going right, so they don’t have as much fun. That’s where Sun Valley Lanes can help, taking all the worry and ensuring the event is going just as planned!

Sun Valley Lanes encourages companies to look into hosting company events even after the holiday’s are over. During the holidays, there’s always so much to do, and it’s difficult to fit everything in. But, with Sun Valley Lanes, companies can keep that holiday cheer all the way into the New Year!

“The memories you can make, while having fun outside the office, will last a long time,” says Miseno. Sun Valley Lanes sells experiences, rather than a tangible gift, which is what it believes sets it apart.

Most importantly, one cannot forget to attend to one’s own needs!

Time. A hostesses worst enemy! It is easy to get caught up in the execution of one’s holiday plans and forget about the true star of the occasion, the one everyone travels to see, the hostess! With a blowout from Drybar, hostesses can get back to what they do best, showing people a good time. Make a holiday event and its last-minute preparations easier by having Drybar (drybarshops.com) do the most frustrating part next to picking out what to wear, and that’s fixing hair!

Named one of the top “100 Brilliant Ideas of 2010” by Entrepreneur Magazine and New York Magazine’s Boom Brands of 2013, Drybar is based on one simple concept, blowouts. The idea was a natural one for curly-haired, Drybar Founder Alli Webb, a longtime professional stylist, who constantly found herself overpaying for blowouts at traditional salons. Those hosting for the holidays can rely on Drybar for a reasonably-priced ‘do that will make one want to perform an Ariel hair flip.

Today, Drybar’s growing product line, created specifically for achieving the perfect blowout, is sold through Drybar franchise shops, Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta, Macy’s and online. No matter the location, DryBar and its products mission are to provide happiness, confidence and empowerment to people of all hair types.

“At Drybar, our philosophy is simple, focus on one thing and be the best at it!” says Owner Julie Rhule. “For us, that’s blowouts. With that purpose in mind, we are focused on providing the best professional quality beauty products, tools and services to create and maintain the perfect blowout for all individual hair types, so anyone can look amazing while they host this holiday season.”

Additionally, with the hecticness of the holidays, events can get lost in the shuffle, especially if one is trying to plan at the last minute. Kenl Inn (kenl-inn.com) makes this time of year easy with daycare and boarding pet services.

Kenl Inn provides pets with a festive, stress-free stay while their owners manage all those holiday to-dos. Not every pet loves the hustle and bustle of extra company or does well with holiday travel, so that is where Kenl Inn comes in. At Kenl Inn, each pet has its own holiday getaway packed full with fun events, playtime and special treats!

Last-minute holiday planning means scrambling for gifts too. Luckily, Kenl Inn offers discounted, daycare punch-cards, so pet parents can keep the holiday spirit going well into the New Year. Owners can even add on holiday treats or toys to give their pets something to enjoy both during and after their stays.

“Let Kenl Inn be your pet’s home away from home this holiday season,” says Kennel Manager Samantha Smith. “They’ll enjoy seasonal activities, new friends and all the love they deserve. Kenl Inn can take a bit of the stress off your plate, so you and your pet can both enjoy safe, joyful celebrations!”

Planning ahead is key, so secure a spot now! It’s never too early. During their stay, pets get plenty of playtime and festive activities, keeping them happy and engaged, so their owners can  enjoy peace of mind. From holiday-themed events to toys and treats available for purchase, Kenl Inn offers the little touches to make sure every pet has much fun as its human this season!

Whether one chooses to wrap up the holiday festivities in December or extend them into January, Strictly Business extends its warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! As the holiday season draws to a close, see Lincoln’s local professionals who will help put the finishing touches on any holiday celebration or soiree like a perfectly tied little bow!