Now that we have officially celebrated the first holiday of the season, holiday entertaining and gift buying will be major themes in our lives for the next couple months. That being said, it should be an enjoyable experience; not one to stress over. When done right, holiday preparations can simultaneously provide a chance to take in all of the enjoyable reasons why we love the holidays in the first place. However, finding the right resources to help you check everything off of your holiday list makes all the difference in the world.
Entertaining Guests for the Holidays
One of the best parts of the holidays the quality time we get to enjoy with others. This doesn’t mean the time we spend with others in the never-ending lines at major retailers everywhere, although that definitely provides time to get to know the shoppers around you. Rather, it is the time we spend sharing holiday cheer and celebrating the holiday season with the people who are a special part of our lives. Entertaining is a major part of the holiday season! Whether you are a novice entertainer or seasoned at hosting guests, you can always improve upon your skill set or change things up from one year to the next. Furthermore, there are many things that go into the preparation of a successful event. A great entertainer is always impressive, but the best trick is finding people to help you with all of the details so you look like the one who has it all together. That gives you a chance to enjoy the most important part—the people you are entertaining!
For entertaining around the holidays, Deborah Carroll of Country Inn & Suites offers some unique approaches for hosting a fantastic event. “Something you might consider instead of the traditional sit down dinner is several food stations featuring smaller servings of more selections. An example of this may be including a station with south of the border selections, a station with strictly vegetarian selections, a station featuring holiday dessert selections, and maybe a station featuring a selection of wings and BBQ. Beacon Hills, our on-site restaurant, takes pride in the food quality and flavor that we offer in our event center. What I like about the food station idea is that it keeps people moving and mingling plus you can appeal to so many different appetites. This approach really takes the cocktail party idea to the next level. From an event planning perspective, it keeps guests interested and unlike the traditional dinner where they might just eat and leave they stay and enjoy the evening a little longer. You can plan other activities to do in between guests visiting the food stations, such as drawings, gift exchanges, games, etc. The best benefit of hosting a unique event is that your guests truly enjoy themselves, and isn’t that what it is all about? Additionally, one of the most important benefits of utilizing a local company like the Country Inn & Suites for your holiday entertaining is the one-on-one care we provide. We work with you to provide you with the best event experience from planning to execution. Also, as a full service hotel, we can enhance your guest experience in a number of ways. We can set aside a block of hotel rooms at a reduced rate so that the guests of your holiday event can spend the night, swim in our indoor swimming pool, enjoy the outdoor hot tub, have a free hot breakfast in our breakfast room, or just sit in the lobby and enjoy conversation around the fireplace.”
Michele Barron, Catering Manager for Greta’s Gourmet, adds, “The holiday season is right around the corner and we’re all looking forward to spending time with our loved ones. At Greta’s Gourmet, we offer a wide variety of holiday catering menu items from Peppermint Cheesecake to Thanksgiving Dinner Bites (smoked turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and stuffing all in one bite!). Let us take the work out of your holiday get-togethers so you can enjoy the party with your guests! As for gifts, our store is filled with items to please even the most difficult people to buy for on your list. From artisanal Christopher Elbow chocolates to handcrafted meats, our knowledgeable staff is ready to help you choose the perfect gifts for your friends and family. We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality of products and service to our customers for special occasions and every day in our shop.”

Window coverings are an essential part of setting the tone while you entertain friends or gather for family meals during the holidays. Presentation is an integral part of any meal and so it should be an integral part of your dining room décor. Your dining room window treatments play an important role in creating the ideal ambiance for your family and guests during meals. They should set an alluring scene and at the same time, adapt to various meal engagements, from formal dinners to casual lunch breaks. Consider installing a drapery panel and wood blind combination on each window. Drapes do for your dining room what the perfect garnish does for your dish. Wood blinds complement the elegant look of your drapes while giving you full control over privacy and light settings. This can help you set the right tone for a romantic dinner or Sunday brunch. For smaller rooms, valances mounted near the ceiling and floor-to-ceiling drapery panels can draw the high up and make the room feel larger. Scott Thayer, owner of Budget Blinds, says, “With thoughtfully chosen window coverings, you can easily manipulate the amount of incoming light while enhancing the beauty of the space. You can also increase privacy and provide a layer of insulation to help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.” Proper window coverings can make your party a hit by blocking annoying glares from the setting sun and provide extra insulation from cold drafts. Overnight guests want privacy in the guest room and coordinated draperies and pillows and bedspreads will make them feel like they are in a five star hotel. For a unique gift idea for the gadget-loving spouse that has everything, consider motorized shades and drapery that opens and closes with the push of a button. There’s even an option of automated window treatments that are triggered by a sun-sensor!
Today’s popular styles include soft light-filtering sheer blinds, natural hardwoods and eco-friendly bamboos, and soft draperies and valances. Thayer adds, “Gone are the days when the window coverings match in all the rooms. Now each room can have its own unique personality that reflects your style.” For tons of photos and decorating ideas that are sure to impress your guests go to BudgetBlinds.com.
If you really want to impress your guests, consider entertaining them with holiday carolers or a string ensemble! Bring the sights and sounds of the holidays to your upcoming event with the professional musicians from Harris Academy of the Arts. Serenade your guests, co-workers, family and friends with sweet harmony and make your next event or party stand out above all others during the holiday season! The four-part harmony and yuletide cheer of the Holiday Carolers will fill the air with comforting sounds of days gone by. The spirit of holiday music, accompanied by vibrant costumes of a Dicken’s Christmas, will entertain and relax guests in any atmosphere. Holiday Carolers can stroll through your party and even lead your group in sing-a-longs. The Holiday String Ensembles bring the elegant sounds of violins, viola and cello to your event that will fill the air with harmony, rich tone and holiday cheer! These professional musicians share the spirit of holiday music with guests in any atmosphere. The Holiday Strings can provide a private performance for your guests, serve as background music or lead your group in sing-a-longs. String Ensemble options include a violin duet, a string quartet, or a piano & violin pairing. In addition to the string options, additional holiday instrument choices include piano, guitar and saxophone. Contact Harris Academy of the Arts by phone or e-mail — 402-423-7121 or musicians@harrisacademyofthearts.com — about rates and availability as soon as possible to secure this fantastic entertainment for your holiday event!
Enjoy Unique Experiences With Your Loved Ones and Share Our City With Your Guests!
The holiday season is a time to celebrate those who enrich your lives and contribute to your success and happiness, including your family, friends, employees, co-workers, and those people that have been involved in your life over the past year. Hollie Waldo, Catering Manager for Holiday Inn, says, “When entertaining guests and those who are close to you during the holidays, throwing a holiday party is one way to show them how much you appreciate their presence in your life. To plan a successful event, you first need to select a venue that fits your needs. Depending on the size of your party, considering a venue other than someone’s home often provides a gathering place with less stress, hassle, and preparations that need to be made. Downtown Lincoln provides a picturesque backdrop during the holiday season with all of the beautiful display of lights, horse and carriage rides, live entertainment and more.
There are also many advantages of hosting your event at a hotel due to the ability to provide sleeping accommodations for your guests. The Holiday Inn Downtown can create a full package for your group starting with food and drink specials and discounted room blocks. Our professional event staff has over 20 years in planning holiday celebrations so creating memorable events is truly our passion. Planning early is always something our staff encourages, as it allows you to secure your date and event space before anyone else has the chance to. Planning early also allows you to schedule a food tasting to sample a variety of menu options ensuring you have selected the proper menu. As you can see there are many advantages to booking early, booking downtown and booking at the Holiday Inn. No matter how large or small your party or event is, it is important to spend time with those people you don’t get to see enough throughout the year. Let us help create a memorable experience for your company this holiday season!”
The Haymarket is an extension of downtown Lincoln that is just as picturesque during the holiday season. The Apothecary Lofts and Ridnour Room are three gorgeous venues that provide a perfect location for holiday parties. The Apothecary Lofts have an intimate, warm setting with beautiful brick walls, an open wooden-beamed ceiling, plush carpeting, fireplace, and even a bedroom suite, complete with a whirlpool, for overnight stays! Furthermore, throughout the holiday season the Apothecary Lofts will be beautifully decorated with elegant, festive holiday décor for that extra special touch. This provides a relaxing environment in the heart of the Haymarket to celebrate the holiday season, without so many extra details to contend with. Crystal Meister of The Apothecary adds, “Families really enjoy hosting their gatherings in our facilities because they don’t have to worry about cleaning their house for company or finding enough seating for everyone. We pride ourselves on taking care of all of those details so that the focus is on the entertaining instead of the preparation. Another major advantage of hosting a holiday party in any of our venues is that outside food and beverages are allowed. Every client can choose to bring in whatever they desire, which often results in a huge savings on the food and alcohol and allows for plenty of options that fit every taste. We are still taking holiday party reservations in all three of our venues, and we are offering some great holiday party specials that are available for a limited time. To make a reservation, please contact us at (402) 474-1812 or send an email to crystalmeister@lincolnhaymarket.com. We can assist you with choosing which of the three spaces would be the most ideal for your particular party, as well as going over all the details to ensure the facilities’ setups meet your expectations and needs.”
The Nebraska Club, located on the 20th floor of the U.S. Bank building in the heart of downtown Lincoln, offers a panoramic view of the city that is a wonderful backdrop for members to entertain their guests around the holidays. Its proximity to the State Capitol and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus make it a great place to bring your out-of-town guests. The Nebraska Club also offers a Banquet Room that is perfect for hosting larger gatherings and groups, including holiday parties, for up to 175 people. If you need to accommodate more guests, it is possible to reserve space in the Lounge and Dining Room with overall seating for 250 people or space for 300-350 for cocktail parties. Their staff will help you plan the perfect event, from menu selection and table arrangements to centerpieces, flowers, equipment needs, and more. For holiday entertaining, they offer several dining areas depending on your preferences. You can enjoy a quiet dinner with other members in their Dining Room, or book a special small group event in the privacy of their Capitol Room. These areas offer an elegant ambiance for any occasion. If you are looking for a more casual area where the dress code is relaxed, the Lounge is a great place where you can dine from either the Lounge or Dinner menu, enjoy your favorite cocktail, and enjoy conversation surrounded by the lights of the city. Reservations are always recommended, and you can view their monthly calendar at nebraskaclub.net for additional information including dates the Dining Room may be closed for private events.


Another unique place to host your holiday party, or to entertain guests who are visiting for the holidays, is The Corky Canvas. According to Angie Lewis, owner of The Corky Canvas, “Holiday parties at The Corky Canvas are unique in that we paint, drink wine, eat and mingle all while listening to good music! It is a great place to bring your friends and family for a memorable experience together during the holidays. While sipping on a glass of wine and snacking on catered food of your choice, our instructors will walk you through a painting step-by-step. No artistic experience needed–really! We provide a fun atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to try something new. The best part is everyone gets to take their paintings home with them to remember the fun time they had at your holiday event! She adds, “A trend we’ve been seeing is booking holiday parties in November in order to take a group picture of everyone holding their finished holiday painting to use for a holiday card. It really does make for a perfect greeting card! We provide holiday entertainment for many types of groups–everything from friends and family to doctor, dental and dermatology offices, and insurance companies from all over Nebraska. While this includes a lot of women, guys really seem to like it too! Some groups book private parties and others go to dinner and then join one of our high energy night classes, but there are definitely options to best accommodate your specific needs. Check out the “Book a Party” page and calendar page on our website for more information and to check availability. A paint brush in one hand and a glass of wine in the other makes for a memorable holiday party!”
Capturing Moments and Memories From Your Holiday Celebrations


Unique Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
When shopping for gifts this holiday season, consider what will be the most meaningful and memorable to those on your list. Most often everyone is so excited when considering what they want for gifts that they fail to think about what they really need. This is true for all of us, but especially for kids. When buying gifts, it is a great chance for kids to see how they will make a difference in the lives of those who receive them. Fads and trendy toys will find their way to the bottom of the closet or under the bed, but the gifts that offer an experience, a lesson, or something that enriches their lives and creates a lasting memory are often the very best way to go. Also, the holidays are a wonderful chance to teach kids how to be great gift givers as opposed to being entirely on the receiving end. While they are likely to be excited to give you just about anything they think you will like, allowing them to help make the decisions and be a part of the process will make it more personal for everyone.
I think we can all agree that jewelry is an excellent gift at any time, but especially for the holidays! While jewelry is considered to be one of the traditional staples of gift giving, there are still plenty of unique ways to WOW that special person in your life. In fact, Jenny Thomas of AT Thomas Jewelers says, “We hope that this holiday season people will go for the unique pieces that they have always wanted to buy but previously went for a more traditional look. At AT Thomas, we carry many gemstones and colors of diamonds that many people have never seen or tried on! We also offer customized jewelry boxes that can be ordered to fit the design of someone’s home and that have enough space to organize their jewelry. Additionally, the personal touch you receive when shopping at our store is something you can’t get online. The importance of shopping locally and spending your money with the businesses that are maintaining the state with sales tax is huge.” She adds, “Another reason to consider shopping locally is being able to see and touch what you are purchasing, as well as utilizing the expertise of a local jeweler to make such a significant decision. Being able to touch and try on the merchandise before making a decision will help you feel how memorable the gift is, and you can personally guarantee that what you are buying is worth every penny. If you are purchasing jewelry for a younger person, or if your children are planning your gift to be a piece of jewelry, we want to encourage you to bring them to the store with you. Sometimes it is impossible to contain the excitement of a new piece of jewelry, and it ends up being given far before the actual holiday or during the celebration—but this way, you can wear it for all of the holiday parties and gatherings! Kids are always welcome at the store and they are even allowed to touch the jewelry as well—we want them to be a part of the selection process as it makes it much more meaningful.”
When buying a gift for someone who is interested in music, Tim Woosley of Lincoln School of Music says, “As far as musical gifts go, it seems that every year someone gets a guitar for Christmas. And why not? They’re really cool, portable, and easy to learn. Yet it seems that many folks end up with a dusty untouched guitar in the corner of the basement or under the bed by the time spring rolls around. Why is that? Well, there is an old saying about the guitar: “Easy to learn. Difficult to master.” But many folks try to learn on their own, only to find frustration and disappointment. So why not have a guide to coach you through those rough patches? A gift certificate for guitar or piano lessons would be a unique and thoughtful way to invest in someone’s life in a way never done before. Unlike say, chocolates or a meal, the knowledge gained from those lessons stays with you long after having acquiring it. We have customizable gift packages that anyone could take advantage of for that someone on their list who has everything. Additionally, you can see the benefits of these lessons by performing in front of a live audience. Every winter and summer we host annual concerts for those students attending the Lincoln School of Music. We provide these concerts to help boost each of the students’ self-esteem in the area of performance and public speaking. This year’s Winter Concert is being held at CGS Music on 1244 High St. on Sunday, December 1st from 1 to 5pm. Stop by and say hello to a student and invest some time into the upcoming local musicians of Lincoln, Nebraska. The concert is free, however we do ask that if everyone attending would be willing to bring two items for the Food Bank as a way to remember those in need this time of year.”
All things considered, gift cards are simply the best way to go for some. Jennifer Davis-Korn of 48 Bowl says, “If you are known as the ‘best’ gift giver and feel like you have to top yourself every year with unique ideas (or maybe you want to be a better gift giver), we recommend a 48 Bowl gift card. A gift card? It sounds boring, but the wonderfully flexible thing about our gift cards is that they can be used at both Parkway Lanes and Hollywood Bowl for bowling, food and beverages. They can be used to give your sister, brother-in-law and their kids a fun family afternoon out, a Glo-Zone date night for your son and his girlfriend, or even as a stocking stuffer for your league-bowling wife or husband. If you have a boss who steps out to the Parkway Pub for business lunches, a 48 Bowl gift card can be used for that cheeseburger and fries he always orders. If your mother bowls in one of our daytime leagues, why not foot the bill for her league for a month or two? We can even help you figure out what a month of her league bowling costs! In fact, we can help you figure out the cost of any bowling, food and drinks you want to give. We’d love the chance to help you make that gift special!”
Diane Hesson of Play it Again Sports adds, “We offer gift cards that can be issued in any denomination, and used for anything in our store. Play it Again Sports is unique in that our inventory is always changing, and we offer a wide variety of items in virtually every category of sporting equipment. Additionally, shopping locally at Play it Again Sports makes returns for your recipient easy. If you find a must-have item but are guessing on sizes, colors, and styles you can feel comfort knowing that an exchange can be handled seamlessly. No shipping items back, no messing with ‘No Return’ hassles that you sometimes encounter with online retailers. Holidays can be stressful for everyone. We hope that knowing you can shop at Play It Again Sports and find all the necessary items you need for your fitness or sports enthusiast at reasonable prices can help alleviate some of the stress that comes with the holiday season.”

Everyone knows that there are plenty of chances to indulge during the holidays, and our health often is not a primary concern for the next few months. So why not give a gift that encourages good health for the start of a new year? Matthew Buckley of Nutrishop says, “We offer a Daily Essentials Kit that will provide your special someone, or even yourself, with the best gift of all—Health! This kit provides 100% organic vitamins and minerals along with probiotics and antioxidants that will help boost their immune systems to the max. This is a great way to avoid those nasty bugs that go around during the winter. The main advantage of purchasing gifts locally from Nutrishop is that we can provide the highest quality products at the lowest prices that you can only find at our store! The main products we offer are Nature’s Fruits, Nature’s Greens, Nature’s Fuel and Nature’s EFA. You can find out more about these products by calling our store or visiting our website. During the holidays, if you purchase Nature’s Fruits, Nature’s Greens or Nature’s Fuel you will receive Nature’s EFA for free! At Nutrishop, we are here to help everyone reach their health and fitness goals. We can design a custom nutrition and supplement regimen that will help you reach your desired weight and fitness goals for the New Year ahead! We can also give athletes a head start on their next season by providing them with the proper nutrition plan along with the supplements needed to reach their goals. At Nutrishop we have plenty of gift options for everyone on your list, no matter what their health and fitness goals may be.”

This holiday season we hope you give Lincoln’s best resources a chance to enhance your entertaining, party, and gift giving experiences. As November is a time we give thanks for everything that makes our lives wonderful, we are thankful for all of the local businesses that offer unique items and experiences that you just can’t find anywhere else! We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season filled with the company of loved ones, plenty of chances to entertain and celebrate, and all of the great parties and gifts that will undoubtedly make this year one to remember!
