Holiday Planning in Lincoln – October 2022

As the weather starts to cool down, the possibilities of the upcoming holiday season hang in the air. Rest assured, these local businesses are ready to help and want to make sure they’re included in your holiday planning this year. Spend more time celebrating with your friends, family, and coworkers and reminisce on the year you’ve experienced together. Let these local businesses do the heavy lifting to make your holiday season spectacular.

Prepare Yourself First

With the stress that the holidays always bring, it is extremely important to remember to take care of yourself first in the midst of all the planning and commitments. John Aguirre from Ovation Salon gave us some holiday self-care tips.

“From fighting crowds at shopping malls to dealing with family members who you never see eye-to-eye with, a lot of people have a feeling of dread going into the holiday season,” John admitted. “I recommend treating yourself to a facial or a new hair-care treatment. One of the top killers of holiday enjoyment is caring too much about how everyone else’s holiday experience is going while ignoring your own.”

Not only does Ovation provide a place for you to take care of yourself, but they also have an inventory of products to consider getting as gifts for your loved ones. Some of Ovation’s most popular products, in addition to hair care must-haves, are their wigs. They provide a plethora of different wig types including synthetic and human hair wigs from some of the top wig-making brands. Wigs can be a great tool for those experiencing hair loss, symptoms from cancer treatments, or if you just feel like switching up your look without committing to changing your own hair. Make it easy by getting a gift card to Ovation for your loved one so they can choose how they want to pamper themselves.

Make Your Home Shine Bright

Now that you’ve freshened up your look for the holidays, it’s time to get your home looking bright and cheerful with some holiday lighting that will surely be the envy of the neighborhood. Halo Custom Lighting is a permanent lighting solution for all your holiday needs. Once installed, your system is rated to last you 50,000 hours and enjoyed for year-round celebrations! You can conveniently control Halo lights from a mobile app where you can create your own colors and patterns. These lights can be used for more than just the holidays with a full spectrum of LED colors that can accent your home during any time of the year.

“For a low-maintenance decoration for years to come, these climate-tested lights cut the holiday decorating process in half,” said Jen Keller from Halo Custom Lighting. “We enjoy helping people take one item off their long to-do lists during the holidays. The reason for the season can get lost in all of the shopping, events, and traveling. Remember to center your season around family and take time to reflect on the past year.”

Treats for Every Occasion

Celebrations of any kind are a great opportunity to indulge in a special treat. Sweet Things by Marcy provides that extra something sweet to make your celebration complete. Is your mouth watering yet?

Sweet Things by Marcy is a home-based bakery in Lincoln that has a vibrant menu of sweet treats that can highlight any holiday event. Have your guests talking about Marcy’s flavorful cupcakes for weeks after the holiday office party, or impress your family with one of the many cakes offered at Sweet Things. If you don’t have any current dessert needs, a gift card from Sweet Treats makes the perfect stocking stuffer.

“Baking is one of my passions, so I decided to turn it into a full-time business,” said Marcy Haas, owner of Sweet Things by Marcy. “I hope that you have a chance to enjoy a cake or two (or many) as much as I enjoy baking them.”

Orders around the holidays should be placed in advance to ensure that your special delivery is ready exactly when you need it. Marcy quotes holiday orders to take around one to two weeks. All orders are available for delivery in Lincoln and surrounding areas.

 

Don’t Skip Spooky Season!

When we think of “the holidays”, it can be common to skip right to the big ones in November and December, but don’t forget about Halloween! Halloween is a great opportunity to plan some fun team bonding. For one, it’s a little less of a busy time for people, as opposed to Thanksgiving and Christmas when people have multiple family obligations or travel plans due to holiday time off from work. Organizing a costume-themed gathering for your team can be easy and enjoyable for all—plus it gives people the chance to show their personalities and creativity.

Another spooktacular option to consider when making plans for the Halloween season, whether it’s with your coworkers, a networking group, or just your friends, is a night of screams and scares at Eagle Hollow Haunts! Eagle Hollow Haunts has food, a bar, fire pits to rent out for the evening, and—the best of all—Scary-oke!

If you love it when shivers shoot down your spine, you’ll be happy to know that Eagle Hollow Haunts was named the “scariest haunt in Nebraska.” There are three attractions to take in when you visit: Luminon, an exciting and dangerous 3D alien world; Darklands, a perilous one-way journey into the haunted woods where dark and evil things lurk about; and Night Terrors, where you’ll delve into the surreal fears of the subconscious. Eagle Hollow Haunts is located at Eagle Raceway, which is just east of Lincoln in Eagle, NE. The park is open from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, October 7-29.

An Intimate Event Space for Holiday Gatherings

If you’re looking for an intimate place to host a holiday party, Ironhorse Bar & Event Room is a great place to do it. The private event space comes with a built-in full-service bar that serves up signature drinks. The Ironhorse staff prides themselves on personalized service. This one-of-a-kind venue located in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket is filled with original industrial and historical details giving the space a unique ambiance. Bernadette Seaman from Ironhorse made it clear that, when it comes to holiday planning, you’re never too early!

“We begin getting inquiries for holiday parties around July and the weekends are the coveted dates that fill up quickly so we advise calling as soon as you have a date in mind. It’s never too early to book your event,” Bernadette explained. “We have hosted family gatherings, employee holiday parties, and client appreciation events. The holidays are always a special time for us and we want to help you feel the same joy we do during that time of year.”

Ironhorse will work with any caterer, or you can bring in your own cuisine! You and your guests will be the only ones in the space so you can feel right at home without all the cleaning and setup/tear down.

A Two-for-One Special

Hosting an event can be stressful, especially during the holidays. To help eliminate the stress, Talon Room provides a one-stop shop experience to help you plan the perfect event.

“I always tell people, we set it up, you make it a party!” Owner Matthew Rogge said. “We do in-house and off-site catering with a range of menu options to meet any level of party. From event setup to a full-service bar, we can meet all your event needs while exceeding expectations. As an owner myself, I get the need to go above and beyond to show your employees how much they mean to you and the company, and a holiday celebration is a great opportunity to do just that.”

Talon Room is conveniently located downtown and can accommodate as many as 250 people for stand-up or sit-down events. Right next door to Talon Room is its sister business, Copper Kettle Mule Bar & Eatery. Enjoy all that Copper Kettle has to offer while hosting an event at the Talon Room. It really is just a doorway away.

In addition to being a bonus to any event at Talon Room, Copper Kettle is also a great option on its own for a space to gather in for the holidays. They offer a wide selection of over 30 craft mules, all of which include freshly squeezed lime juice and are served in 100% copper mugs to give you the highest quality cocktail they can offer.

Celebrate the Holidays on Wheels

If you’re thinking of hosting a holiday event this upcoming season, choosing Tailored Dreams Party Buses could be a unique way to celebrate with your guests. 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, tell your chauffeur where you want to go when you arrive for your party, and they’ll get you there and back safely. Make it a costume-themed ride for Halloween or bump your holiday playlist with the bus’s Bluetooth sound systems.

Tailored Dreams’ fleet consists of six party buses—the biggest bus can fit up to 45 people so you can bring along your family and/or closest friends, employees, and clients to celebrate the holidays. Book as soon as possible as the 2022 is already filling up!

Get the (Bowling) Ball Rolling

Events with a planned activity can harvest natural conversation and bonding between family, friends, or coworkers. Add a little friendly competition, and you’ve hit a home run! Or, better yet, bowled a strike!

At Sun Valley Lanes & Games, take advantage of amenities like a full-service bar, grill, laser tag, arcade games, mini golf, and non-traditional bowling games not found in any other Nebraska center. In addition to the fun games and lively atmosphere, Sun Valley Lanes offers buffet-style catering and unlimited fountain drinks for you and your guests.

“Whether it’s for the entire family or the whole office, these times will be remembered long after any tangible gift,” said Jen Miseno, event coordinator at Sun Valley Lanes. “Doing something together as a family or with coworkers is a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime. Why not go HyperBowling? It does not matter your age, size, or skill level. Everyone can play and anyone can win. From the youngest in the family to the most experienced, no one will feel like they can’t take part in the activity.”

A trip to Sun Valley Lanes can be the highlight of your holiday season. Events can be held for groups up to 384, so invite the whole office and their families!

Exciting Holiday Events and Gifts

The next three months are filled with exciting opportunities accompanying the holidays. James Arthur Vineyards (JAV) has lined up many unique events to get us in the holiday spirit.

In October, get your sixth sense tingling during a vineyard ghost tour, offered every Friday. Then on Sunday, come back for a spooky round two with haunted hayrack rides. To finish out the month, check out the world-famous Halloween murder mystery event at Billy’s Restaurant on October 22. Throughout November and December, fun holiday-themed events such as wine bottle painting, live holiday music, and a holiday open house fill the calendar at JAV.

If you can’t make it to Raymond for these special events, JAV has a tasting room in their From Nebraska Gift Shop in the Haymarket. While sipping wine, browse through the store where they showcase the best products made in Nebraska. Just like JAV’s Nebraska-made wines, they are proud of the wonderful products they carry that represent Nebraska’s finest producers of food, wine, and gifts. The gift shop even has an entire room dedicated to all-things Christmas all year round!

Holiday Shopping Done Right

Holiday shopping can become a chore quickly. From deciding where to shop to setting a budget, the stress can start to build quickly, but Charm Boutique & Bar has you and your shopping mates covered. Located in the Telegraph District, Charm is a shopping concept developed by Owner Lindsey Tederman where you can “sip ‘n’ shop” by browsing their selection of clothes, accessories, shoes, and more with a Bloody Mary, mimosa, beer, or other cocktails in hand.

“We offer private party rental space,” said Lindsey. “This means you can book a holiday shopping party with us for just you and your friends! Bring your own food and we can provide the drinks, the music, the shopping, and the atmosphere!”

Get a couple of things checked off your holiday to-do list by contacting Charm Boutique & Bar to book a holiday shopping event.

Team & Client Gifts They Won’t Throw Away

Holiday gifts for the workplace or for your clients can be hit or miss, but finding something that you know people will love can be a fulfilling and exciting experience. Gift something that your employees or partners are going to want to take home with the help of Flicker Promotions.

“Gifts are a great way to show your true appreciation and can be customized with a logo or fun saying to suit your recipients,” said Owner Amy Doele. “Decoration can be understated, such as laser etching on a blanket, or a bigger statement, such as a colorful Yeti tumbler. We can also provide all types of customized napkins, cups, tablecloths, or even signage for your 2022 holiday parties and celebrations.”

The team at Flicker brings an intensity to their work which reignites your brand through a concierge approach to ad specialties. With over a decade of experience in the promotional industry, Amy and her team have focused their abilities to turn their connections with clients into something special, something that helps brands shine brighter than their competition.

Getting some ideas? These are all great options for unique
holiday experiences. Getting the groundwork done early
can make the holiday planning process blissful, so don’t
hesitate to reach out to these wonderful businesses that
are ready to help make your holidays magical!