Holiday Cheer in Lincoln, Nebraska

Now that we’ve welcomed another brisk, colorful November it really feels like the holiday season has officially arrived! What this means for most is that the time has come to focus on preparations for holiday parties and finding all of those great gifts. Making that initial to-do list can honestly feel pretty overwhelming, but with all of the wonderful resources around town that can help you get everything accomplished with time to spare, there’s no need to stress and every reason to get excited about what’s to come!

With the first big parties of the holiday season just behind us along with all of the fun costumes, we’re now moving full speed ahead into a melee of festive gatherings over the next few months. If you’re still planning your event, not to worry, there are still plenty of ways you could choose to celebrate with your family, friends, co-workers, clients, and all of the people who have made the last year a great one.

First thing’s first, schedule your party at a time that works best for the majority of those who are on your invite list. This can be quite the tall order, but keep in mind that with so much going on for all of us this time of year, you’ll want to make sure that your party is something that everyone is looking forward to as opposed to something that they will dread trying to wedge into their jam-packed schedules. While everyone is feeling extra festive during December, in reality off-peak times in November and January are just as enjoyable if not more so because there’s less distractions and conflicts to deal with overall. For scheduling purposes, at this stage of the game you’ll want to have a few venues and a range of dates in mind so that everything comes together smoothly.

“With any type of party, it’s also helpful to be as accurate as possible on the number of people and the amount of time you want to spend,” advises Jen Miseno of Sun Valley Lanes. “You’ll want to allow enough time for people to socialize as well as enjoy the planned activities.  I always suggest trying to finalize any plans for November very soon; otherwise you’ll run the risk of not getting the type of party, date and time that you really want.

Sun Valley Lanes is always a popular place for holiday parties and we enjoy hosting many different groups of all sizes each year. If you haven’t been out to Sun Valley Lanes in a while, you will definitely want to come and check out our new 1500 sq. ft. arcade and redemption center with 20 state-of-the-art games and thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes! With bowling, food and beverage offerings, and our new arcade, you can customize a package that includes any or all of those things. If you are a corporation looking for some team building ideas or a family who likes a little fun competition, we have several unique on-lane games to play against each other too.  You don’t even have to be a pro to participate!”

Jennifer Davis-Korn of 48Bowl adds, “Colder weather brings waiting lists and booked bowling centers, but November is a great month to host a holiday party! (You might not even be too late to book a December or January party, give us a try.) The company party groups that seem to have the most fun in our centers are the ones that are ‘playing hooky’ from work. We highly recommend that if your office has the ability to shut down early and come have a party, to do so. Besides the fact that your employees will feel like they are playing at work, which tends to generate office camaraderie, there are cost savings to take advantage of depending on the time booked. Weekday parties enjoy our least expensive open bowling rates. We also tend to have fewer people in the centers than on a weekend or evening, so you can get comfortable! The same food menu, catering, and beverage service is offered during the day and happy hour drink pricing still applies as well.

If your company doesn’t have the ability to host a weekday party and needs an evening or weekend time, we’d still love to host you! We have flexible scheduling options and pride ourselves on helping your make your party planning simple and quick. Give us a call at either center and ask to speak with a manager about your group event. Parkway Lanes can be reached at (402) 483-7763 or Hollywood Bowl can be reached at (402) 466-1911. You can also visit the group rates section on our website at http://48bowl.com/group-rates.html to begin planning.”

Are you perhaps looking for a fresh, new space to host your holiday party this year? barVino will be opening in south Lincoln just in time for the holidays and as a true-to-concept wine bar, it’s the perfect spot to share a few “holiday spirits” with your guests. barVino features a selection of eight wines on tap and over 100 boutique wines to choose from, in addition to a smaller selection of specialty craft beers and top shelf liquor. The chic space can comfortably accommodate 80-90 guests and catered food is welcome, but you could also opt to choose from a variety of barVino’s appetizers that pair well with featured wines. You’ll find barVino to be the perfect place to gather and celebrate together.

Along with making all of the necessary arrangements for your guests to have a great time celebrating with one another, part of being a good host is making sure that everyone has access to safe transportation at the end of the night.

“Car service after a party is always a smart thing to provide,” advises Lori Hiebner, owner of Leisure Limousine and Sedan.  “If you have the car on hand, you won’t need to worry about making the call to a car service and running the risk of embarrassing your guest when they have over-indulged. Better yet, let them know in advance that the limo will be waiting to take them home afterwards! On the other hand, those who will be attending holiday parties as guests could certainly consider reserving transportation too. If you’re going to go through all of the effort of dressing up, why not rent a limo and ensure it’s a night to remember?”

She also offers some instances during the holidays when having a limousine as transportation would be ideal. “A romantic holiday light tour is a unique date idea. Or, make holiday shopping less of a chore this year and rent a limo to take you and your friends and family on a chauffeured holiday shopping trip! If you have out-of-town guests flying in, set up car service to pick them up at the airport.  Air travel can be stressful!  By taking care of the ground transportation you’ll be providing your loved ones with time to unwind after a less than relaxing day of travel.”

Once the venue and date are nailed down, then you can start getting everything else in line. With the goal in mind of treating your guests, there are many different components that could be incorporated to make your event unique and memorable. One of the areas where the sky is truly the limit is the fare and refreshments, but with so many options it can also make for some tough decisions!

“It’s always hard to guess what everyone likes to drink or their favorite foods, so picking a little bit of everything might be a good choice,” advises Kelli Pilkington of Venue Restaurant & Lounge. “The hard part is that when the event is going on and everyone seems to like that one type of wine you chose or those amazing Swedish Meatballs, they may not gravitate towards your other choices as much.  Then before you know it, the wine and meatballs are all gone and it’s only 7 p.m.!  Sometimes it’s best to simply ask your guests what they like or if they have any special requests before you start planning the menu. This will give you a better idea of how much to order and which items would be a hit at your event.

For those who will be a hosting a gathering in their homes, we are more than happy to schedule a private event and bring the meal to you. We set-up gorgeous buffets, plated dinners, cocktail arrays and you and your guests don’t have to lift a finger.  We love taking care of a full-service event so you don’t have to and we do it right in the comfort of your own home.

Furthermore, during the holidays we offer amazing holiday trays for our guests to conveniently order online, over the phone, or by stopping in and placing an order with us here at Venue.  These trays are $40, $50, or $60 and feed anywhere from 15-25 people per tray!  Our clients can choose from amazing dishes like our signature Salmon Spread, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Chilled Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Lobster Rangoon Dip, and those are only a few of our popular items.  It’s simple and elegant and will blow your guests away!

Aside from what’s going on during your event, you may also want to consider how you’ll welcome everyone and facilitate interaction at the very beginning so everyone has the opportunity to get acquainted. From our extensive experience with holiday parties over the years we’ve noticed that it’s nice to have an ice-breaker for the start of your holiday party, which allows your guests to open up and have a great time.  You could have people guess how many ornaments are on your tree as you walk in, have a greeting photo booth, or even give them a scavenger hunt sheet that starts with them grabbing a drink as their first task of the evening.  Games create a relaxing, welcoming environment that will start your holiday event off right!”

She adds, “We are excited to be opening our fourth private dining room as well as a brand new catering kitchen on November 5th, so we are ready to go above and beyond in our catering and events this holiday season. And as always, we want planning your holiday party to be as fun and easy for you as possible. Our specialty is putting all of the details together, so the most important thing heading into November is to make sure to get started with your planning right away!”

“Hosting a holiday party is one of the best ways to get together with your loved ones or to show your employees that you appreciate the hard work they’ve put in over the past year,” agrees Magdalena Axtell of Noodles & Company.  “Many parties incorporate a gift exchange, team building games, employee awards, and most importantly, food!  I can assure you that your guests will remember the food served at the party, so it’s essential to provide them with fare that they will enjoy, to incorporate variety and above all, make it something delicious.

Noodles & Company serves dishes that are inspired by the individuality, creativity and cultural heritage of cuisines from around the globe. Our catering features the world’s favorite noodle dishes and salads served buffet style, making it easy to please your crowd with our many flavors. Moreover, Noodles & Company has the ability to provide catering for any group size, from 10 to 600+! We offer two main catering styles to make sure your party has plenty of variety and unique flavors to choose from.  You can order our Noodle Bar (which includes a choice of pastas and proteins, and two sides such as bread and salad) for only $10 per person, and you can add dessert for an additional $2 per person. Or, you can order our A La Carte Style (which allows you to pick the pasta and add on protein, add salads and add dessert if you like) staring at just $4 per person. Both of the catering styles include plates, napkins, cutlery, serving utensils, stands and Sternos to keep the food warm during the party.  We also offer to deliver and set up the buffet for you!

If you are thinking of having Noodles & Company at your event feel free to give me a call, or you are also welcome to send me an email.  I can assist with selecting the perfect dishes for your crowd, give you a price quote, and answer all of your catering questions.  You can reach me at (402) 651-5999 or maxtell@jhsdining.com.”

She adds, “During the holiday season, never underestimate the gesture of a gift.  Gift cards for restaurants are a great way to show someone you thought of them, whether it’s a family member, a friend, a co-worker or your boss.  Stop by any of the Noodles & Company locations and give the gift of food this year.”

Next on the holiday party checklist is the entertainment, which is another area where there is tons of potential to get creative and take your event to the next level. Among the possibilities, live music is appealing because it really sets the tone and creates an atmosphere where everyone will embrace the holiday spirit.

“Our Charles Dickens holiday carolers add a special touch to any event around the winter holidays,” says Vicki Harris, owner of Harris Academy of the Arts. “They can stroll through your party providing yuletide cheer and entertainment, or even lead interactive caroling with your guests. Now more than ever before guests want more than just entertainment; they want a memorable experience that is photo ready for those perfect selfies to be posted on social media. One of the great things about having our holiday carolers perform is that in addition to providing festive music for your event, their period costumes add an extra element that will make your party stand out while offering your guests lots of great photo ops. In addition to our holiday carolers, we also have a variety of other live offerings including a string quartet. So if you are looking for something elegant, give us a call and we will work with you to create the perfect entertainment for your event.”

She further advises, “While planning parties can be almost as fun as the party itself, it can also be very stressful if things don’t come together seamlessly. If you have your heart set on live entertainment or performers, be sure to book early to avoid any potential scheduling conflicts. The holiday season fills up quickly for performers, so it’s best to plan early book your entertainment as soon as you know the time and date of your event. This will help you avoid the last minute scramble of trying to find available entertainment.”

Harris Academy of the Arts not only has your entertainment covered for holiday parties, but also some really great gift ideas for everyone from the aspiring musician to the person who simply loves to learn new things. “Finding just the right gifts for adults can always be a challenge,” Vicki notes. “We make it easy by offering gift certificates that can be used for any of the services we offer. This is an excellent gift for someone in your life who is interested in taking music lessons or even for a bride or groom who would like to have live music at their wedding.

Our Kindermusik and Children’s Music Academy classes are a great gift for younger kids who have shown interest in playing an instrument. The class is hands-on and engages the parent as a part of the learning process, so it’s not only about music but it’s a bonding experience as well. For older kids we have a Rock Band class, which is an awesome way to encourage their inner rock star and give them an opportunity to play in a band setting. You can find more information and enroll for any of these classes on our website, www.HarrisAcademyoftheArts.com. We also have a great selection of music related gifts in our storefront. There are a lot of exciting new classes coming up at the beginning of the year, so be sure to check our website and see what’s new!

As far as holiday shopping goes, many people want to try and avoid the crowds and I for one certainly don’t blame them! All of our classes and services can be booked online or over the phone at (402) 423-7171, and if you do decide to stop in we have lots of available parking to make your shopping trip as quick and convenient as possible.”

In fact, giving the gift of an experience is something that has great value as the skills you learn will last a lifetime. “The mindset of the modern consumer is shifting away from the accumulation of material goods,” explains Sarah Brown of Lincoln DanceCentre.  “It’s less about ‘What can I have?’ and increasingly about ‘What can I do?’  Experiences, education, hobbies and activities enrich our lives and nourish our growth, while the acquisition of material goods increases physical and mental clutter.  This is true even for children. Material goods can actually create more stress because we have to increase our time and efforts to organize, care for and maintain them.  Therefore the gift of an experience is a benefit for anyone on your holiday shopping list because what you give builds who your loved one is on the inside, versus the things they accumulate on the outside.

Gift certificates for private lessons or enrollment in any of our dance classes are a great option because they provide a way for new dancers to get started, and for current students to either add a class they’ve wanted to try or do one-on-one sessions with a member of our professional dance faculty. Furthermore, the popularity of dance-based workouts for fitness is still going strong.  We offer Adult Ballet on Wednesdays from 6:45-8:00 p.m. for anyone interested in a different fitness option, and for adults with past dance experience who just want to get back to the barre! Enrollment in any class at Lincoln DanceCentre is always open, so no matter your age or skill level you can start at any time.”

As far as tips for shoppers this holiday season, Brown also emphasizes the benefits of keeping your business local. “Shopping at smaller, local independently-owned businesses can greatly reduce stress.  When we repeatedly subject ourselves to the frantic, overcrowded energy of the malls and larger discount department stores we start to absorb it.  It can accumulate and negatively impact our mental and physical health.  The shopping experience provided by all of Lincoln’s small local business owners is excellent and completely stress free!  In fact, local business owners are usually so appreciative of their customers that they go above and beyond to make you feel valued for spending your time and money with them.  When you shop local, everybody wins!”

Speaking of great gift ideas, when it comes to holiday shopping, there’s many ways to go about getting everything checked off of your list. Whether you have your favorite local spots in mind, opt to live dangerously and hit the mall, are looking for something new or unique this year, or will be shopping online in the comfort of your peejays or at your desk during break – you can still do all of these while supporting our local economy! With so much money being spent during the holidays, it’s important to consider shopping local whenever possible. That being said, we’ve highlighted some fantastic options right here in Lincoln to help get you started!

As previously mentioned, there are plenty of things going on during the holidays that can really suck the energy right out of you – particularly shopping and travelling. If your family and friends are coming to you this year, as a special treat, consider giving the gift of pampering and relaxation! “Massage really helps combat jet lag and allows people to de-stress during what can be one of the most hectic times of the year,” says Dennis Varley, owner of The Body Shoppe. “Nothing beats showing up to your destination and having a massage waiting for you. Along the same lines of de-stressing, it’s become very popular for people to schedule massages for themselves or their loved ones around Black Friday. After a crazy day of shopping, it really does the trick. Along with being a very desirable and appreciated gift, massage can make for a great family outing, especially with friends and family you don’t see that often.”

When it comes to giving the gift of a skill, hobby or experience, as you can already tell from the diversity in the ideas we’ve offered so far, there are endless possibilities. Therefore, keep in mind the potential opportunities that could be just as enjoyable (or even more exciting!) as “things.” Or alternatively, as many times there are supplies or gear needed to get started, the items that will support the things in life that we are passionate about are a real treat.

For example, there are tons of great gifts in every price range for the golfer, the runner, the gym rat, the coach, the outdoors enthusiast—even just for the person who’s always on-the-go. These are the type of gifts that are practical in supporting what a person really loves to do or perhaps has always wanted to try. Furthermore, consider the fact that you could save a lot of money getting these items gently used. Check out Play It Again Sports first—their inventory is always changing and you can even trade in your gently used items for more money to spend on gifts! Diane Hesson, owner of Play It Again Sports, adds, “We offer both new and gently used items at a fraction of the retail price. We’ve also bulked up on our inventory specifically for the holiday rush, which means you have an even better chance of getting a great deal on exactly what you are looking for! Gift cards are also available, and are particularly useful for the spring sports that are right around the corner. We welcome trades all year long, which will allow you to get rid of items you don’t need any longer while stretching your holiday budget. In addition to our extensive selection of sporting goods, we also carry a full line of fitness equipment, apparel and accessories. Our goal is to make your holiday shopping experience painless, and we look forward to assisting holiday shoppers in finding exactly what they’re looking for over the next couple of months!”

Giving a handmade gift from the heart, classes that allow a person to let their creative juices flow or learn something new, or a unique gift that showcases your creative side is also something to consider when shopping for gifts this holiday season.

Whether you have artistic talent or just want to have fun, or even if you are looking for a unique gift that is handcrafted by local artists, Art Glass Unlimited has something for everyone. Their popular glass blowing classes are kicking off for the holidays, which offer the opportunity to create your own special works of art including Christmas ornaments, Santa’s Cookies plates, and so much more. Giving the gift of a class/workshop is the perfect way to get the creative juices flowing and can be very therapeutic. Moreover, you not only get the experience but the keepsake that you created yourself! Items are generally ready for pick up a week after they are made, so there is still plenty of time to create a masterpiece for that special person on your gift list. Art Glass Unlimited also carries a variety of gifts made by local artists that are available for purchase, including fused glass ornaments, decorative bowls and large hanging glass pieces, and more. As all pieces are handmade, no two are alike, and items range from $10 on up which fits within the holiday budget nicely.

If the way to a person’s heart isn’t through what they are passionate about, another safe bet is through their stomach! In truth, even something as simple as a tasty treat will do the trick in the gift department. “Beef jerky is the ultimate gift for those who are hard to buy for!” emphasizes Dave Ferguson, owner of Smoking Gun Jerky.  “Many use our jerky as a great stocking stuffer, be it for kids or for adults.  Jerky also makes a great office gift or grab bag item for extended families or co-workers who purchase gifts for each other but often don’t know the needs or likes of the person whom they are gifting.  Parents love to receive jerky from their kids, and it is a great low-cost item for anyone wanting to do simple token gifts.  It is also a great item for bosses or for corporate gift giving to employees or clients. In fact, many local businesses contact Smoking Gun in November to order their employee and customer appreciation gifts with personalized company logos or other messages original to their business. Gift cards can also be personalized for any business.

Moreover, Smoking Gun jerky is a healthy alternative to sweets, making it great for those looking for a nutritious snack any time of the year.  However, with its abundance of sweet treats, the holidays are the perfect time to give a gift that doesn’t pack on the calories.  Furthermore, the nutritional benefits of eating healthy and staying energetic during the holiday season are always important.  The locally made products from Smoking Gun are high protein, low sugar, gluten-free and contain no carbs.  What could be a better snack than fresh locally made jerky?

We also create gift baskets for those who are looking for a unique Nebraska-made gift package. We even offer special ‘make your own’ baskets and boxes that can be personalized for the recipient.  During the holidays, there are always special offerings that make giving jerky a fun alternative, and gift cards are always welcome.

Locally made Nebraska jerky is a great item to give, and our goal at Smoking Gun is to make shopping easy for our customers.  Our checkout lines are minimal, the flavor selection is amazing, and we always have ready-made baskets and gift cards for those who want a quick and easy gift.  Buying local products helps the Lincoln economy, and you’ll likely enjoy a stress-free shopping experience at our local businesses. All things considered, our locally made Nebraska jerky makes a great item to give to anyone and everyone!”

Indeed, everyone who knows at least one person from Nebraska is well aware of how much we love our great state. If you are looking for a gift for a fellow Nebraskan, whether they are near or far, the place to find everything Nebraska is located in the Haymarket at From Nebraska. From familiar foods and treats to a wide variety of art and handcrafted items and of course, exclusive Nebraska wines straight from James Arthur Vineyards, From Nebraska not only offers these items separately but also in creative assortments which can be picked up ready-made or created especially for you. All of the products offered at From Nebraska are literally just that—made and manufactured in Nebraska by local artists, craftsmen, bakers, farmers, and so on. The gift baskets available in the holiday catalogue are even shaped in an “N” or in the shape of the state of Nebraska—how fun is that?! There’s an assortment of wine and cheese or wine and chocolate pairings, plenty of other assortments of items, and the Taste of Lincoln gift basket that has it all. These are things that everyone would love as a gift, but that are especially treasured by Nebraskans as a familiar piece of home.

As we all focus on getting everything in order for our holiday parties and gifts, it’s important not to lose sight of sharing in the spirit of the season with our loved ones and those in our community throughout the rest of the year. One of the best ways to do this is to support our local businesses so that our neighbors and their families are able to enjoy the holidays right along with us. When it comes to what you’ll need to make this holiday season special, whether it’s all of the details coming together for your party or the shopping extravaganza ahead of us with Black Friday right around the corner, with such a diverse selection of local business to choose from we guarantee you that you’ll find what you’re looking for an much more right here in Lincoln!