A year ago, we watched the Class of 2020 celebrate their graduations virtually or in less-than-personal, socially-distanced and masked fashion. But things are improving as we approach graduation for the Class of 2021, and we will celebrate our graduates in style, even if it still isn’t with the full-on pomp and circumstance of years past. Hotels and venues are opened and have learned to serve up style and grace in safe ways to honor and celebrate our graduates and their guests. Believe it or not, it’s time to be planning those celebrations now, and Lincoln businesses are ready for you.

The time is now to lock in hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests. The Kindler Hotel (thekindlerhotel.com) offers discounted blocks of rooms for families and friends traveling to Lincoln for graduation festivities. The Kindler also offers complimentary scheduled shuttle service and goes above and beyond for their guests in every way.

“The Kindler Hotel associates take great pride in making you and your guests feel as welcome as they would in their own homes,” said Director of Sales and Marketing Cheryl Deiro. “We are conveniently located across the street from the University of Nebraska Lincoln campus, a four-minute walk from Pinnacle Bank Arena, within walking distance of the Haymarket and Railyard, and surrounded by many local boutiques, restaurants, and shops. Just park and walk!”

The Kindler Hotel is different from any other hotel you will find in Lincoln, offering the highest-quality service with Modern Deco guest rooms and décor. In fact, The Kindler recently was awarded the 40th Annual Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design, ‘The Best Lobby—Upper Midscale’ by Boutique Design magazine.

In the wake of COVID, The Kindler expects many families to opt for smaller, more intimate graduation celebrations, which also allows them to offer an overall higher-end experience for their guests. You just can’t overstate the value of an amazing guest experience to brighten the mood of any festivity! Oh, and the patio! It provides a relaxing setting with comfortable seating and beautiful planters, plus umbrellas for those who prefer the shade.

“We will soon also be offering a new seasonal menu, and you can enjoy dining al fresco on the patio, and our Boitano’s Lounge is a great place to hang out and relax,” Cheryl said. “The Kindler Hotel is a getaway not to be forgotten!”

Special Celebrations

Turning to the venue and catering for your graduation celebrations, Talon Room (talonroom.com) is a perfect option. They offer a wide range of services that can assist with the planning process for the event and provide you with a terrific venue, seating, and fabulous food to make any graduate feel appreciated and special.

“Talon Room is a great venue with full seating and AV equipment,” said Owner Matthew Rogge. “Talon Catering also can satisfy all of the catering needs for your graduation celebration, within Talon Room or at a separate location of your choosing. Our gourmet appetizers and entrée options can meet any budget and time of day, and for libations, our bar services can be brought to your event or you can use our full-service in-house bar, which has a history of making guests say ‘Wow!’”

Talon Room is more than just a venue. They offer in-house games to help you entertain your guests, and they have access to a wide range of vendors that offer great options, including trivia and music bingo, which is sure to bring your whole party crew together! For a lower-key event, you might choose a sit-down dinner and cold beverages at Talon Room are a guaranteed way to make your graduates feel special.

Tantalize Their Taste Buds

 

What’s the best way to get to a graduate’s heart? Through their stomach, of course! That’s where The Chocolate Season (thechocolateseason.com) comes in. They can not only serve up the tastiest graduation gifts you can imagine, but they deliver the gift of connection with their handcrafted chocolates, family-inspired desserts, and memorable moments! They ship nationwide for gifts bought online or in-store, so you can send a little bit of Lincoln chocolate love to the graduates in your life, even if you can be at their celebrations.

 

“If you want to send an intentional gift but aren’t sure what someone would like, you can never go wrong with a classic box of chocolates, a dozen freshly baked brownies, or some delectable chocolate-covered strawberries,” said The Chocolate Season Owner Erika Jensen. “While most graduates will be appreciative of all gifts, including a personalized message is what they’ll truly remember. Be sure to pay attention to these little details, and let us help you along the way.

Take a Ride on the Fun Side!

If a formal graduation party isn’t really your style, consider a night on the town in a fantastic bus with Tailored Dreams Party Buses (tailoreddreamslimousines.com). This is mostly directed at college grads because you may as well make one of your last nights as a college student count. Celebrate the transition to your next stage in life by spending a great night in a luxury party bus with the people you were able to meet along the way. Tailored Dreams is Lincoln’s premier party-bus company, known for their friendly drivers and for creating an experience tailored to your particular group. Just reserve your bus ahead of time, and then tell your chauffeur where you want to go when you arrive for your party, and they’ll get you there and back safely. You can treat your party guests to a night out with cocktails, snacks, or a full-on meal with cocktails and know everyone will be cared for like royalty.

“Tailored Dreams started in March of 2012 with one limo that my husband, Tyler, and I parked in our driveway,” said Owner DeeDee Loomis. “Now our fleet consists of six party buses—including the only Pink Party Bus around! The biggest bus can fit up to 45 people each (though that number might be somewhat smaller under pandemic restrictions at the time of your party), so you take along the whole gang to honor your graduate. People love getting a party bus for any occasion, and we’re the only bus company in the area that has wheelchair accessibility.”

We want to congratulate all graduates, along with the friends and families who have supported them through the years, and hope you will celebrate the Class of 2021 in style!