Another holiday season is upon us, beginning the festivities with fall favorite Halloween and going out with a bang for New Year’s. In between is a host of gatherings, parties, celebrations, and general merrymaking in honor of the holidays that will likely keep your schedule booked for the next few months. Whether you are planning an intimate gathering of family, an office party, or a grand holiday celebration to share with friends, employees or even clients, there’s more than enough time to begin planning the event you have in mind…if you start now. Moreover, there are plenty of local resources that can assist you every step of the way, and the best part–most agree that the sky’s the limit!
Planning early has many benefits, but one in particular that will affect almost everything else is deciding on and securing the venue. “Those who plan early not only get their venue of choice, but they have more options for choosing a date that works best for everyone,” says Deborah Carroll of Country Inn & Suites and Beacon Hills. “Many places, including Country Inn & Suites/Beacon Hills, offer early booking incentives that can help defray costs. Having more options for dates also assists with attendance at your event–if people can put things like this on their calendar early it makes it easier to attend. As an event planner, I am seeing the return of the corporate holiday event. People are showing a renewed interest in coming together outside the work environment in a relaxed and fun atmosphere to celebrate a year of hard work and accomplishment. It shows a true appreciation for the success of your business and for the employees that contributed to that success. It also is an opportunity to bring together employees from different departments to spend time together, which creates community in the work place.”
Carroll adds, “Furthermore, holidays are also all about the food! We offer such a great variety of ideas for party food, from awesome appetizers to prime rib buffets to excellent plated meals including a wonderful 6 oz. grilled salmon filet. What I think sets us apart is the opportunity for guests to even create their own meal from all of our great selections of entrees, sides, salads, and even home-style specialties including our famous ‘made from scratch’ Mac & Cheese. You can customize your food selection to your guests and their appetites.
At Country Inn & Suites, we have experience on our side as some of our holiday clients are returning now for their 10th year with us. That experience helps us put together what you envision with wonderful food, a great decorated venue, and some fun entertainment. We actually take much of the burden off the planner so that they can enjoy the evening right along with the other guests.”
Indeed, food is a major focus of holiday celebrations and therefore, finding the right caterer is the next step in planning your upcoming event. Many local restaurants offer catering options for events held at their venue or elsewhere in town, and likewise, there are wonderful local caterers that specialize in planning and preparing meals to be served on-site, wherever that may be.
Year after year there’s just something about the Haymarket that makes it such a warm and festive environment for holiday parties. From gathering for cocktails on the dock all the way up to fine dining, there’s a wealth of options for holiday parties.
Rodizio Grill is among those options and truly embraces the theme of celebration, which makes it perfect for upcoming holiday parties and gatherings. When you dine at their restaurant, it is not just a meal but time well spent while enjoying the company, atmosphere, and plenty of absolutely delicious fare. Rodizio takes a unique approach to providing their guests an unforgettable experience, derived from the fact that in Brazil, a “steakhouse” operates very similarly to an American barbeque. Comparable to many holiday meals, everyone brings a different cut of meat and dish to the event which are all collectively enjoyed by everyone. In the spirit of this tradition, Rodizio is family-friendly and begins with a salad bar featuring over 30 items on a full spectrum from light to heavy followed by a selection of over 15 meats and signature main course items that are served tableside directly off the rotisserie grill. Their signature drinks and desserts are also either authentic or derived from traditional Brazilian treats, and are sure to be a big hit for holiday parties. Last, but definitely not least, their fare is 99% Gluten Free and while they offer a full allergen list, there are very minimal risks which are well indicated and can be easily addressed. The menu, including drinks and deserts, can be customized to fit your needs and budget.
Rodizio offers plenty of flexible space which allows them to accommodate groups of all sizes, offering additional privacy, A/V equipment, and customizable options for each type of event they assist in hosting. Bethany Scheele, General Manager of Rodizio Grill, adds, “We offer two party rooms that can accommodate up to 40 people each as well as the ability to host from ten to 300 people with special layouts, including the option to reserve the entire restaurant for large corporate events. We do not charge a room rental fee for hosting the party, nor do we charge set-up or break-down fees, and we can even help out with the flow of the party. Our management team is experienced in party planning, and our goal is to provide you with an experience you won’t forget. The earlier you book, the more likely you will get the time and date of your first preference, so make sure to contact us as soon as possible to get the ball rolling!”
While many venues are concentrated in the downtown and Haymarket areas, Lincoln has a lot to offer in other areas of town too!
A classically chic place to host any type of event, Venue Restaurant & Lounge offers three private dining rooms which allows for private and intimate dining you would have in your own home, but without all the stress that party planning entails. Venue is always beautifully decorated throughout the restaurant and the ambiance just adds to the dining experience.
“At Venue, we pride ourselves in taking care of the details, allowing our clients to focus on other matters during the busiest time of the year,” says Cherie Anderson of Venue Restaurant & Lounge. “Our professional team will make sure all of the bases are covered and nothing is missed along the way. As for planning your holiday party well in advance, I can’t stress a sense of urgency in this matter enough. We have several days, especially in December, that will become closed off to additional business. We would rather say no to business, than jeopardize our quality or service. This year at Venue we are taking the stress out of party planning by now offering a variety of party platters available to pre-order and pick up at your convenience. The quality, presentation and convenience will all be worth the effort of picking up the phone and placing your order. Some of the options we are offering include designer bite-size desserts, shrimp cocktail platters, a variety of house made dips, gourmet cheese ball flights, and sandwich sliders to name a few. We also offer full service catering for any type of event, so if you want to step it up a notch, allow our catering team to assist you in making a successful gathering.”
She continues, “This is a time of the year to not only reflect on the past year and its many blessings, but to show your ‘work family’ how much they are appreciated. It’s planned moments such as these that build and grow on the unity of your team and as a result, pays off three-fold for you in the attitude, demeanor and outlook of your employees when they feel truly appreciated.
Another gem found in southeast Lincoln that offers the perfect setting for your upcoming holiday party or gathering is MoMo Pizzeria and Ristorante.
Anthony Bonelli of MoMo explains, “Our popular party offerings are extensive; we have an exclusive, separate, private dining menu. It includes distinctive appetizers and food offerings. We have small bite-size appetizers, some on small skewers, crudités, fish kabobs, and more. We also have our regular menu items available, such as MoMo’s signature tuna crudo, cheese boards, salumi plates, and of course our famous pizza cut in smaller slices to accommodate any size party. We can then assist customers with pairing fantastic custom-made libations with the help of our talented mixologists.
Furthermore, at MoMo our entire staff will go out of our way to accommodate our clients and customers—these special touches allow us to give private parties the look and feel of a festive, exceptional gala. Our intimate special private dining room will hold 24 to 30 people easily. We can also provide flowers, linen table clothes, or accommodate any special requests.”
“It is important to motivate and reward employees or customers with a special evening at MoMo,” Bonelli emphasizes. “Our customers are always given extraordinary personal attention. Call me personally at (402) 261-5966 to discuss how we can personalize your experience and make your private party exceptional.”
When considering the food for your holiday event, you can’t go wrong with a classic party favorite: Chicken Fingers! Especially the version that has been perfected by Raising Cane’s!
“It’s easy to let the days go by during the year without saying ‘Thank You’ to your staff members who make things happen day in and day out,” owner Jennifer Jones notes. “We all know that is not because we as the business owners are not grateful, but that we get busy with our own hectic schedules—especially during the holiday season. A corporate holiday party is just one way to show your appreciation and to say ‘thanks’ to those that you depend on each and every day.
Placing orders is simple and painless at Raising Cane’s. For smaller orders, call our friendly managers at any of our Lincoln locations and they can help guide you in placing the perfect order for your party. If you are looking to bring in our on-site trailer for a large corporate event or feed several hundred people, our Community Coordinator is an expert and ready to help! We’re able to accommodate most timelines, even if it’s the day before your scheduled event. However, the more notice we have the better, as we will have more time to tailor the perfect order for your event. For on-site parties, you should start gathering information a minimum of three weeks in advance and contact us at community@shv-inc.com to discuss your options.”
Jones adds, “When it comes to ways you can express your gratitude, gift cards are another perfect way to show your appreciation to staff or clients during the holiday season. It’s a simple, yet sometimes overlooked, way to say ‘thank you.’ Raising Cane’s offers gift cards that are available in any increments and can be purchased at any Lincoln restaurant. Sharing the joy of food is an easy way to show how much you appreciate your staff’s efforts throughout the year.”
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There are also plenty of holiday favorites available at your local Russ’s Market stores. From party trays to bakery favorites, and with a wonderful selection of beverages to compliment your choice of holiday fare, there is something for everyone.
“Russ’s Market can be a one-stop shop for holiday gatherings with Russ’s Market Catering to You offering a full menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts for any size gathering. Our spirits department can suggest the right wines to pair with the menu and offer advice on cocktails, beers or other beverages. It really simplifies party planning for any size gathering,” says Rob Steider, Director of Spirit Operations at Russ’s Market. “As holiday parties almost always feature a variety of foods, we can recommend wine or beer selections to pair with various menu items, including appetizers, entrees and desserts. It’s also fun to serve a creative cocktail like a spiced rum cider, and we can help customers come up with something to fit their gathering. In addition to helping our customers select the right beverages to match their menu and budget, we can also recommend wines in several price ranges and help customers determine the amount of spirits to purchase based on the number of guests.”
“Wine, spirits and specialty beers are also becoming increasingly popular holiday gifts,” Steider adds. “From special seasonal products to longtime favorites, we can help customers make the right selections. And we can always special order an item if we don’t have it in stock.”
Russ’s Market has a long history of lending a hand in the holiday preparations of many Lincoln residents. Matt Morrison, Director of Bakery Operations for Russ’s Market, also emphasizes a strong commitment to serving customers during the holidays. “At Russ’s Market, our bakery associates can assist with everything from pastry trays to Stone Hearth artisan breads. If customers order in advance, we can provide just about any fresh-baked item they’d like. For last-minute gatherings, we always have an assortment of ready-made trays featuring items such as gourmet brownies and cookies. Our Stone Hearth artisan breads are popular year-round, but they can really add a festive touch to the holidays. We have a daily baking schedule for different varieties, but if you order in advance we can have any flavor you like ready for pick-up or delivery.”
For sweet party treats, another wonderful local resource to find just about anything you can dream of is Cupcakes and more… From a dessert table to individual treats, you can even mix and match more than one of the many options created especially for you by their experienced team of bakers. Regina Henson, owner of Cupcakes and more…, says “If you have the honor of hosting a Holiday Party this year and are undecided as to the desserts to offer your guests, come in to Cupcakes & more… and we can assist you with the planning. We have consultants available every day of the week to help make your ideas a reality for the dessert table…and free samples of any of our flavors upon request! For those who have their heart set on something different and unique, we can create a holiday-themed display with an array of sweets in a variety of sizes and flavors. This includes set-up at your party so all you have to worry about is enjoying the company of your guests.
Have many clients you would like to thank or recognize this Holiday season? Let Cupcakes & more…create your packages of sweets and we can deliver them to any location in the Lincoln area. Big or small, nothing says ‘thank you’ more than a customized package of Holiday sweet treats.
Some of the most popular gifts for the special people in your life can be any combination of sweet treats from Cupcakes & more… We create custom holiday party trays that can be a combination of cupcakes, cake balls, cake pops, cookies, brownie shots and even chocolate covered strawberries—the variety is endless! If someone just wants cupcakes, we can tailor packages to make the gift special that can be customized with your logo or a special message and a ribbon for a cute finishing touch. And remember, we can mix and match flavors and decorations to satisfy every sweet palate.
If you’re truly not sure what they want and don’t want to chance it, a Cupcakes & more…gift card is a great alternative. Who doesn’t want to come in and pick out their favorite sweet treat whenever their sweet tooth strikes?!
Let Cupcakes & more… create your packages of sweets and we can deliver them to any location in the Lincoln area. Big or small, nothing says ‘thank you’ more than a customized package of holiday treats for your party or as a gift. The time is now to come into our store, try our samples and place your orders for the upcoming holiday season with Cupcakes & more… To see pictures of our Holiday sweet treats, check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/cupcakesandmorelincoln!”
So among the holiday party planning essentials for all hosts to consider, it’s all about choosing the right venue, food & drinks, and entertainment. When brainstorming ideas for your upcoming holiday party, don’t forget a favorite American pastime: Bowling! Jennifer Davis-Korn of 48 Bowl explains:
“If the personality of your business and your employees is laid back and casual, think about bowling for your holiday gathering. From our staff’s perspective, the groups that seem to have the most fun in our centers put the least amount of planning and structure into their party – this is great news for those of you responsible for booking this year’s celebration! Here are some tips for a great bowling-themed company holiday party:
1) Know your budget. If you know your overall budget, we can work with you to fit in bowling, food and drinks. Most companies pay for the bowling and the food for their employees and leave drinks, especially alcoholic beverage purchases, up to the employee. We would suggest planning on two games of bowling for each employee (cost of $8.00 – $10.00 per person, total) and a variety of appetizers for the group. Appetizers are easy finger foods to eat during bowling and they can also be easy on the budget at $3.00 to $6.00 per order. Guests love them, too, because there are many foods to choose from. Of course, we can also serve your guests a buffet style spread or individual orders from our menus.
2) Book early. We have lane availability most weekends for company holiday parties, but remember that the longer you wait to book, the less likely you will get your preferred date and time. We recommend calling in October for dates in December and January. We also recommend thinking about a weekday event for your employees, if your office has that option. The party guests that have the best time in our centers are usually the ones here on a Thursday or Friday at lunch time – the boss closed the office early and has let them enjoy a day out with their co-workers. It feels a bit like playing hooky from work! The other nice thing about booking a daytime party is that your group will get to enjoy less expensive group bowling rates and our buildings are generally not as crowded as they would be on a Friday or Saturday night.
3) Be prepared to pay a deposit. Our centers do require a $20 per-lane deposit that must be paid before your group’s visit. (We recommend booking one lane per every 4-6 bowlers.) This deposit is applied back to your total bill at the time of the event. It is also easy to pay by credit card online! You never have to leave your chair to book your party.
If you’re ready to discuss your holiday party, please call the center you’d like to book and ask to speak with our manager. We can talk through the details, answer any questions, and get you penciled in today. You can reach Parkway Lanes at 402.483.7763 and Hollywood Bowl at 402.466.1911.”
Shawn Herout of Sun Valley Lanes adds, “Bowling is America’s largest participation sport, with more than 70 million people bowling at least once/year. Bowling appeals to a large variety of people and can be played by anyone. Sun Valley Lanes is a state-of-the-art bowling facility and we have recently completed a major modernization project, which includes all new bowling center furniture, carpet and décor. We also have flattened our bowling center, and by removing the step up to the lane, we are very ‘wheelchair friendly.’
In addition to our new look and incorporating the latest technology into the experience we provide our guests, our ability to customize an event is probably our greatest offering. We will design a party package based on an event budget, ranging from bowling only, to a complete bowling, buffet and beverage option. Historically, our Strike or Spare packages are the most popular, which include two hours of bowling, complimentary equipment, food, non-alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity.”
Planning a holiday party really does offer the chance to get creative and to tailor the event to the people who will be attending. “Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest impact!” says Herout. “Have you ever been to a party where what you remembered was not the extravagant décor or the gourmet dinner, but instead, how a group of coworkers dressed up like superheroes and came to your rescue? If you have been hosting formal sit-down dinners leading to awkward silence at the table, this has more than likely not occurred; however, at Sun Valley Lanes, we encourage FUN for all ages. From fully themed events to the offering of an entertainment venue which encourages your staff to have a great time, we can certainly make your event a ‘superhero’ success.
At Sun Valley Lanes, we handle all of the details, so your group can relax, bowl and have a great time! Our party options vary based on the budget, size and needs of the party, so in reality, every party is custom designed. We can host events where we provide just a room and non-alcoholic beverages, to events catered from a wide variety of food and beverage menu options, with bowling entertainment for family and friends to enjoy during the event. We provide all the amenities, and do all the clean up as well.
We also offer gift cards that can be purchased in any denomination, which can be used for open bowling, food and drink, as well as pro shop purchases. Since bowling is a great family activity that can be done by all ages, our gift certificate makes a great gift idea for everyone.”
Herout also advises, “The holiday season is in full swing, so when, ideally, should you start planning for the holidays? Yesterday! Due to simple supply and demand, our center tends to book up early during this time of the year. I would also suggest keeping alternative dates in mind in case of scheduling conflicts, both with the center, as well as the staff which you are rewarding. At Sun Valley Lanes, we strive to make each event as memorable and unique as possible so that your staff will not only look forward to the big event, but will also remember it fondly and tell others what a great party their boss planned for them!”
Annette Marquez, President and owner of The Perfect Occasion LLC, offers some of her expertise on planning upcoming holiday parties:
“As I was reflecting on planning corporate holiday parties, I kept coming back to exactly why companies hold holiday parties and it occurred to me that perhaps two year olds might have the secret to planning great events. The word ‘why’ is a perfectly good word that comes naturally to all two year olds, at least the ones in my life.
How many times have we heard that it is not necessary to know all the answers, but to know what questions to ask to get the best answers? Asking why is one of those questions, and it plays an important role in planning successful events.
This could include: Why are we holding a holiday party? Why are we holding it in December and not after the holidays, or vice versa? Why would we choose this venue or caterer over another one? Why will we select this particular theme? Why will we select this entertainer over that one? Why will it be a formal gala or why will it be a family event? You can see that as with the why questioning of every two year old, in event planning the questions never stop which leads to the ‘just right’ event.
The answer to every why question will help design an event that is perfect for your employees. Let’s examine some why questions:
The first question, ‘Why are we holding a holiday party this year?’ should be answered before any planning begins. Is it to say thank you to employees (this should always be yes), to celebrate a successful year, perhaps an awards ceremony, or to perform a community project that will benefit a local nonprofit? There are many possible answers that will result in a fun-filled event and will ensure that your guests enjoy themselves. If the answer is simply because you always have one, make sure it is followed by, ‘Our staff starts asking us in July if we will be having it again this year as they are always so great.’
The next questions should then be, ‘Why are we selecting a certain venue or supplier?’ Is it price, location, unique, best food in town or something we’ve not tried before? ‘Why are we choosing this particular date?’ Is it after the holidays when people’s busy preholiday lives have slowed down or is it during the holiday season when venues may already be decorated for the season?
As you answer these and other ‘why’ questions, it is important to keep the party guests in mind and at the forefront of your planning. Knowing your guests’ preferences will help you plan the best parties. After all, it is for them. No matter the type of party, people will remember the food and if the party matched their expectations, or perhaps even exceeded them.
Give yourself plenty of time to plan the event. Today is not too early to start. Once you know the type of party you want to have, then book the venue, caterer, entertainer, and any other suppliers that will fill your requirements. You want to ensure they are available for your desired date. The popular ones may be booked if you wait until the last minute.
Staff often plans and manages the party. Many are good at it and love doing it. There is a drawback however, particularly during the party itself. They may be so busy managing the last minute decorations, audio/visual equipment needs, or any of the other details that they aren’t able to ‘come to the party.’
Once you’ve attempted to answer all of the ‘why’ questions surrounding your holiday party, consider hiring a professional planner to take care of all the details. At The Perfect Occasion LLC, my services for holiday parties include working with your staff during the preplanning stage as the party ideas are developed, making the arrangements with the suppliers of your choice, and thus, saving you and your staff hours of time. On the night of the event, I will also ensure that the details are managed professionally so all of your staff can feel like guests.”
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Looking for creative ideas for holiday party entertainment that you’ve never experienced before? This year, Group Therapy Bike Tours will be offering special tour routes especially for the holidays—Christmas Light Tours! This twist on the normal drive around town to view the lights is perfect for gatherings of family and friends as well as for corporate holiday parties and team building events. “We’ve had the pleasure of having many different groups join us on our tours, and they are always a big hit with guests of all ages,” says owner Drew Philippi. “Group Therapy Bike Tours are very popular this time of year, so planning in advance is crucial in order to reserve a spot on our schedule. As far as planning, all you have to do is book one of our tours and we will take care of the rest! Of course, good times and lots of laughs are always included.”
Hiring professional musicians to provide the entertainment at your holiday party this year will really add a ‘WOW’ factor. Among the services that are available locally, Kelsey Livingston, Special Events Coordinator at Harris Academy of the Arts, showcases a very special offering. “A good holiday party is nothing without the holiday music! Harris Academy of the Arts can take your party to the next level with professional, live musicians playing favorite holiday tunes, or other styles such as classical, jazz, popular and more. Anyone can plug an iPod into a speaker, but professional musicians at an event can add an extra special touch and fill the air with that unmistakable holiday cheer.
As a special treat we are very proud to offer our authentic Charles Dickens carolers, who are extremely popular every year and we really love providing this unique service for our clients. Our professional musicians dress in classic Charles Dickens garb and sing Christmas or holiday tunes for business holiday parties or other events. It is something that is a lot of fun to put together, and it is enjoyed by everyone. Harris Academy of the Arts also provides other musical ensembles that will fit almost any event, from piano to string quartets and everything in between!”
She adds, “Since the holidays are such a popular time to plan parties and get-togethers, planning ahead is crucial so you can ensure that everything you want is in place before the stress that inevitably comes with the holiday season sets in. Planning ahead is also important when it comes to live musicians because it gives everyone ample time to collaborate and brainstorm the song list that will make the party a hit. Harris Academy of the Arts is now booking holiday events, so make sure to contact us today to reserve the date of your holiday party!”
Whether you are preparing for your event or dealing with the aftermath, it’s wise to consider utilizing a professional cleaning service for your holiday events. Most venues will already include set-up and clean-up for holiday parties (make sure to double-check before booking), but if you are having an event in your home or office, professional cleaning services can be a lifesaver in allowing you to worry about all of the other tasks at hand! By prioritizing what requires your attention most, it will allow you to relax and enjoy the event instead of worrying about the smaller details.
Celebrating the holidays with one another is one of the best parts of the next few months. There are usually so many gatherings during the holiday season that it makes one’s head spin, but the time spent with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, clients, customers, and employees is well worth it in bringing us together as a community. We hope you all enjoy sharing some holiday cheer with those who mean the most to you this year–let the holiday planning begin!