Holiday Planning in Lincoln, NE

The holidays are here! Almost, technically, but according to the aisles dedicated to Halloween that popped up in many of our local retailers last month, being prepared early seems to be a prevailing trend and with good reason. This month many have already begun to get in gear for what’s ahead—plenty of holiday parties and gift giving! Whether you fall into the “I’m SO excited!” category right now (we’ve all seen those Buddy the Elf memes) or need a little more time and encouragement to get there, you’ll still want to keep a few things on your radar so the best opportunities don’t pass you by.

Holiday Party Planning

In the spirit of the holiday season, which is much about fellowship and celebration, the calendar for the next few months is highly likely to be jam-packed for most of us, with parties, gatherings and events positioned throughout. In order to get everyone on the same page for the best turnout, you’ll want you party to get penciled in as a priority well before it’s in competition with a crazy mix of engagements. Furthermore, the calendars for our local businesses with holiday offerings are already filling up, so it’s a rule of thumb to secure your date, and even your vendors, this month if possible for any holiday event that you’ll be hosting yet this year.

Selecting Your Venue

Similar to wedding season, while we do have a fantastic selection of local venues, it’s astounding how fast they all book up for the holiday season. The most popular dates tend to book the earliest, which would be your Thursday, Friday, and Saturday affairs.

With off-peak dates and times only slightly less desirable in this particular scenario (and for a variety of reasons, preferable to some), these too are hot commodities within such a limited window of time. If you have your heart set on that perfect place to host your holiday party, or will need a specific venue to accommodate the size of the party, theme or desired activity, catering preferences, or any other determining factors at play, you’ll want to get this one detail finalized as soon as you can.

Parties are unique, with no one the same as the next. While the holiday theme is what the majority will have in common this time of the year, there is quite the diverse spectrum of options available to choose from in the Lincoln area. With so many local venues to consider, it really depends on your vision for the event, and more importantly with precious little time to spare, how much time and effort you want to invest. While some are natural party planners and find great satisfaction in coordinating all of the details, others will greatly benefit from partnering with experienced professionals. These are the people who specialize in taking all of the stress and responsibility off of the client’s shoulders and onto theirs during the planning stages along with flawlessly executing their role when it’s party time.

If you’re looking for somewhat of a blank canvas or open area that can be transformed to your own taste and specifications, a ballroom or designated event space will afford you plenty of options. Alternatively, you may want to go where the action’s at to keep your guests engaged with one another and entertained, possibly even providing the opportunity to try something new. Or, you could even create an itinerary for a “night on the town” experience and travel to several different locations, which could be in close proximity and within walking distance or arrived at via group transportation. With so much fun to be had all around town, it can really be tough to narrow it down to just a few options, so we’ve provided a few great examples of each to check out for inspiration!

Offering five private dining rooms as well as The Jasmine Room at The Grand Manse, Venue Restaurant & Lounge has great spaces available for your holiday party in addition to its impressive catering operation which can be booked in conjunction with your event at Venue or alternatively, any other location of your choice.

“So many employees look forward to the holiday party every year so we want to make it special,” says Kelli Pilkington of Venue Restaurant & Lounge. “All of our rooms are simply gorgeous and we decorate beautifully for the holidays.  Whether a team of 20 in our Nebraska Room or a team of 300 in our Jasmine Room, this will be the holiday party they rave about wanting again next year.

She also notes, “Lots of times with our busy schedules we tend to forget about the anticipated holiday parties until someone mentions it, then we scramble to find the best food and available space at the last minute.  Take the last minute stress out and have fun planning your holiday festivities starting now!  We love this time of year where we get to start planning holiday events and boy do they fill up fast.  Have fun with planning your parties the way you truly want and start today.”

Another fantastic find that’s perfect for an intimate gathering or vibrant soiree this holiday season is The Normandy, one of our local fine dining establishments.

“We extend the option of reserving our venue for private parties with no additional room or party rental fees on Sunday and Monday as the restaurant is closed on those days,” says Lawrence De Villiers, head chef and owner of The Normandy. “Our specialty is French cuisine, and we cook everything from scratch, which allows us a lot of freedom in designing a meal that’s sure to impress. In fact, every aspect of your event can be customized at The Normandy. Together with the chef, party hosts create their menu. Our expertly curated wine list contains ample selections that will pair nicely with each course. Bring in your own décor too; we welcome our guests to transform the space as they see fit. Our specialty is sit-down formal dinners, so space is limited to 25 people for private parties held at the restaurant. However, for larger parties held at another venue in town, we’ll gladly cater a buffet spread for up to 200 people. The Normandy guarantees the ideal convivial setting for your grand celebrations as well as intimate surroundings for your social and business gatherings. We very much look forward to assisting with the planning and hosting of holiday events, making this a most memorable occasion for both you and your guests.”

A classic, timeless form of entertainment that’s just as fun today as event, bowling is fun for all ages and skill levels, making it a great choice for a holiday party.

Jennifer Davis-Korn of 48 Bowl offers direction for those interested in scheduling a holiday party at one of their two local venues:

“The holidays at Parkway Lanes and Hollywood Bowl are one of our favorite times of year! We love having the opportunity to make each gathering of family, friends and co-workers in our centers a special one. But, as the days get shorter and temperatures dip, our bowling centers get busier. That is why if you’re thinking of a bowling party, we encourage you to plan and schedule your event as soon as possible. October is not too early to book a date for your holiday party.

To make your booking easier, here’s a few helpful items to prepare before you call one of our centers:

1. What are the date(s) and time(s) you are hoping to book?
2. What is your group size? (Estimates are okay for a start!)
3. Are you wanting to provide bowling, food and beverages for your guests?
4. Do you have a budget in mind?

If you’re not sure if your budget will cover everything you want to provide, call us and ask. Every booking we do is a custom package to meet your needs. We’re here to help you figure that out.

Getting your group scheduled on our books is first and foremost. You can always secure your date with us now and we can deal with food and beverage options closer to your reservation.

Also, keep in mind that your reservation does not have to include bowling. We have wonderful pub and lounge areas that are also available for group reservations.

If you’re the type that likes to do your research before you call, our group rates and booking information can be found online at http://48bowl.com/group-rates.html. If you’d like to speak with someone who can help you, please call and ask to speak with Terri Jo at Parkway Lanes (402.483.7763) or Chris at Hollywood Bowl (402.466.1911).”

In agreement on a bowling center being an ideal venue for a holiday party, and on the importance of planning well in advance for this year’s event, Jen Miseno of Sun Valley Lanes further advises, “I highly recommend planning early in order to reserve the best possible time for your party.  Some groups book their parties a year in advance to make sure they get the time and space that they want.  However, these are generally higher demand times for larger groups.  Planning for smaller and more flexible groups should begin now as things do fill up fast.  Keep in mind, the prime time spots (such as a Saturday before Christmas) will book up much sooner than a lower traffic time (like a Monday or Wednesday afternoon in November).

At Sun Valley Lanes, our “Strike Package” is still one of our most popular packages.  Included is 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, soft drinks, and a 2 entrée/4 appetizer buffet.  However, we do have many other options for food packages based on your specific wants and needs.  If you haven’t been out bowling this past year, you are missing out on our Fun Valley Arcade, a 1500 sq. ft. arcade and redemption center with 20 state-of-the-art games and thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes.  We can add arcade credit to any event, is a great opportunity to take the fun to the next level in the Fun Valley Arcade. After all, you are here to have fun and enjoy yourself while celebrating the holidays, so why not make the most of it!”

She adds, “The great thing to keep in mind for corporate event is that our activities cater to all ages and capabilities.  No one is left out!”

Participating in a fun group sport or activity could be a great fit for your holiday party, but here in Lincoln we also love our live sporting events. With that in mind, aside from Husker football and volleyball, the most popular local events for spectators this time of year are definitely Lincoln Stars Hockey games!

If you want to get creative with your holiday party, that’s certainly not going to present a problem with all that Lincoln has to offer for entertainment.

For example, with its location in close proximity to many other entertainment establishments in downtown Lincoln, the Historic Haymarket, and even the Railyard, you could plan an entire afternoon or evening of holiday fun with your group that includes a stop at Escape Lincoln.

“Escape rooms offer a fun and unique activity that will give you something to talk and laugh about during the rest of your company’s holiday event,” says Anh McClure, co-owner of Escape Lincoln. “We can accommodate large groups broken down to smaller teams to ensure everyone is involved and has a great time. And if you booked a holiday party with us last year, we have redone all three escape rooms this year and have a whole new experience for you to try!

She also emphasizes, “With so many companies and families planning events around the holidays, it’s important to schedule ahead. If you are looking for a fun activity (possibly to pair with a dinner outing in the Haymarket), you could plan an event at Escape Lincoln. We are open by appointment during the week, which means we can customize your group’s escape to work with your other plans.”

Another of the somewhat “non-traditional” yet fantastic ideas for a holiday party is none other than a spa party!

“We love doing spa parties!” says Tasha Schmeichel, owner of Tranquility Salon & Spa. “In fact, treating employees or clients to a mini spa day has become quite popular within the last couple years. With our brand new facility we are able to accommodate large and small parties and we have a wide variety of services to choose from. Evenings and Saturdays fill up fast; another popular daytime party would be a Spa Friday! With health and wellness becoming more of priority, stress-relieving massages and relaxing facials are a wonderful gift and most of our offerings can be planned around enjoying them together in a group environment. You can find out more by calling us at (402) 328-0777 or visiting us online at tranquilitydayspaandsalon.com.”

Pairing wine (or another beverage of choice) and art, with the added bonus of taking home a custom piece that you created, Paint & Sip studios such as Pinot’s Palette, which recently opened a new studio in Lincoln, are quite the popular destination for holiday parties too.

With holiday spirits a part of many celebrations, our local bars and restaurants are by far the most common venue to host a holiday party. It’s a convenient place to gather that doesn’t require a lot of planning or work to put together unless you want to do so.

The Local is a favorite south Lincoln gathering spot with a fun, casual atmosphere, and with the recent opening of its party room, it’s a great venue to host your upcoming holiday event!

“Our party room is a versatile space that’s fitting for both energetic events with live music or a DJ and those that are more quaint and quiet, just depending on what atmosphere you want to create,” advises Tracy Graham of The Local. “Preparing early for holiday events is essential in order to locate a venue that meets your specific needs. Then on past that, booking your space early so you have time to personalize your celebration is key. We work closely with the host(s) to plan every event, and with optional food catering services along with plenty of flexibility to accommodate each occasion, every party is uniquely individual. You could also choose to have your party in conjunction with one of our regular events, such as Trivia Tuesdays or our Wednesday .75 cent taco special, or when we have live bands or karaoke going on at the bar. We have a great happy hour daily too for smaller or impromptu holiday get-togethers. Check us out at thelocalne.com!”

Wine and the holidays go hand-in-hand, and if you’re someone who feels the same way and are surrounded by like-minded loved ones, co-workers, or clients, you may want to consider having your holiday soiree at barVino! With a great vibe, eight wines on tap and over 100 boutique wines that can be paired with items from the house appetizer menu, and of course to be inclusive to all, a selection of specialty craft beers and top shelf liquor, it’s a great place to host a party or simply pop by to enjoy a few holiday spirits (especially since it’s right across the street from SouthPointe Pavillions, making it a convenient reprieve from holiday shopping!).

 

Jennifer Amen Tomka, owner of barVino, advises, “Although barVino is closed on Sundays and Mondays, we are available to host your private events and can accommodate small and large groups alike. Give us a call to schedule your holiday or anytime event or to make reservations ahead of arrival for a larger impromptu gathering any other day of the week—we’d love to have you!”

You could also opt to go straight to the source–James Arthur Vineyards offers an intimate setting for holiday gatherings and parties, with the added bonus of its signature wines to enjoy. “One of the most popular events we host is a holiday dinner that incorporates a wine tasting,” says Jim Ballard, owner of James Arthur Vineyards. “Our Winemaker’s Dinner, a sit-down four-course meal paired with JAV’s award winning wines, is always popular, as is a more casual event with appetizers and a wine tasting. Tasting stations can be incorporated into the dining experience, which allows guests to travel from station to station, enjoying different pairings of wines and appetizers. Out caterer can create a personalized menu for any event, and you are also welcome to incorporate live entertainment. Some fun ideas I have seen are comedians, magicians, or a cabaret-type performance. We work with a number of entertainers in the area that we could schedule for your holiday event; just ask and we’ll provide great recommendations. You could also opt for a basic wine tasting class as the entertainment, with JAV’s winemaker leading a hands-on class in the ‘5-S’s’ of wine tasting.”

Arranging for Transportation

Holiday parties are notorious for having the drinks flowing, whether it’s at a bar, restaurant or just about anywhere else for that matter. Closer to the holidays there are free cab rides offered by local businesses, and with Uber there is much better access to safe transportation in Lincoln these days. However, as a responsible party host, booking transportation for your guests would be greatly appreciated and allows everyone to let loose and enjoy themselves without worry of logistics as the event draws to a close.

“Car service after a party is always a smart thing to provide,” says Lori Hiebner, owner of Leisure Limousine & Sedan. “If you have the car on hand, you won’t need to feel like you’re making a call to a car service and run the risk of embarrassing your guest when they have over-indulged. Better yet, let them know in advance the limo will be waiting to take them home afterwards. If transportation isn’t offered, reserve a limo for that special holiday party!  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? We have an extensive fleet, with a wide array of sedans, SUVs, limousines that accommodate from 6-14 passengers, and a 34-passenger limo bus, which allows us plenty of options in meeting your holiday party transportation needs.”

Also, with the popularity of the “party bus” as well as other unique forms of transportation, such as the Group Therapy bikes, which are still available to rent weather permitting in the winter months for holiday-themed tours, there’s plenty of fun to be had on-the-go. You’ll have the freedom to stop at any number of places, and with the change in scenery at each, it’s an eventful and memorable way to spend your time together out and about on an adventure of sorts. Group Therapy Bike Tours offers booking options year-round, with ride sessions and mobile concierge bar services being the most sought after during the holiday season.

These examples of transportation are also perfect for light tours and holiday shopping trips – ‘tis the season!

Providing the Entertainment

As with some of the venues we’ve already mentioned, the entertainment is already a part of the equation. However, there are also other forms of entertainment that can be incorporated at almost any venue of your choosing.

Once you have the basics in place, all of the special touches can be arranged accordingly. As holiday music is an endearing staple of the season, incorporating a live performance from professional musicians is especially complementary. It’s something that really enhances the ambiance of your holiday party, setting the mood appropriately for an unforgettable event.

“Music is one of the key factors that helps to set the tone that one is wanting for their party or event – and live musicians take it a step further by providing a warm, inviting atmosphere for those in attendance,” says Vicki Harris, owner of Harris Academy of the Arts. “Whether you’re hosting a small in-home holiday gathering for family, or a large corporate holiday event for your business, Charles Dickens Carolers are generally the most in-demand option we have to offer this time of year. 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.

While our Charles Dickens Carolers are indeed very popular over the holidays, Harris Academy of the Arts offers a wide variety of professional musician services including string quartets, instrumental duets and trios such as piano/violin, piano/cello, violin duets and more. Whatever atmosphere you’re seeking for an event, we’re able to customize a musical ‘playlist’ just for you! Musical selections from classical all the way to popular radio tunes are available, and samples can be heard on our webpage: harrisacademyofthearts.com.”

As far as booking is concerned, she further advises, “For those planning holiday events, it is absolutely advantageous and essential to plan ahead! Early preparation practically guarantees that outsourced event necessities such as catering, entertainment and more are likely to have your event date available for you to book. Harris Academy of the Arts offers free consultation with our professional musician services in order to efficiently assist with your event preparations.”

Choosing a Caterer

With one of the more eagerly anticipated aspects of the holiday party experience being the fare, as one might suspect, caterers also book up rather quickly during the holiday season. As such, this will likely be another priority item to check off of your list, and with a similar sense of urgency as booking the venue. There are several different avenues to consider for party catering, all with a wide variety of possibilities for customizing your spread: 1. Choose from the catering selections available at the venue you’ve booked; 2. Hire a local catering company; or 3. Utilize one of our local restaurants with catering offerings. Setting up a meeting with your top two or three choices to really get a grasp of what they’d be able to provide is advised since you’re working with a little more time on your side at this point.

Hosting in Your Home (or Office)

In addition to the line-up of holiday parties where you’ll be out on the town, you may also be hosting your own party, gathering or event in-house. Along the same lines of being prepared and beating the holiday rush, with a lot of cooking going on during the next few months in order to prepare all of the seasonal favorites, you may find yourself needing to upgrade certain items in your kitchen.

“It is important to have the right cookware and tools for cooking and baking during the holiday season,” advises Jana Clark, store manager at Habitat.  “If you’re missing any of the necessary items, you’ll want to beat the rush and find your turkey brine, turkey lifters, butcher’s twine, roasting pan, roasting rack, pie plates, pie weights, baking mats, cookie cutters—and the list even goes on from there. This way you can concentrate on finding the right recipes and getting your house decorated for guests.

For those planning to spend some time in the kitchen, we also have a selection of fantastic new beer bread mixes, including the following varieties: The Classic, Roasted Garlic, Pumpkin Spice, Cranberry Orange, and even Hatch Green Chili Cheddar. We’ve also found a new vendor for peanut brittle with really unique flavors such as Chili Lime Tequila, Brandied Harvest, Micro Brew Beer, and Triple Nut Kentucky Bourbon.

While it’s easy to focus specifically on the cooking, don’t forget the ambiance! Frasier Fir home fragrance is one of our most popular items this time of year and will really set the mood for a holiday party or gathering. Since you’ll be sharing a meal, the table setting should be attractive and inviting. We have a fantastic selection of cloth table linens and also some fun paper placemats that can be colored.  While these are perfect for the kids’ table, you could have fun with them at the adult tables too. You could also choose to take advantage of a new service we’re offering and have your paper plates, napkins, or cups personally imprinted for your holiday party or any type of special event.”

If you prefer to opt out of the cooking and baking for your holiday party, whether you’re lacking in the culinary skills department or simply can’t find the time, don’t let that stop you from serving up an amazing meal! Many of our local caterers will gladly plan for a prepared meal to be served in your home.

“Let us bring the comfort of a holiday feast directly to your living room while you shower your guests with a heart-warming gathering,” proposes Kelli Pilkington of Venue Restaurant & Lounge. “We set up, elegantly serve, and leave your home spotless while you wine, dine and entertain.  Whether our house or yours, let us cater your holiday!”

Joe Armstrong of Cowboy Chicken, another fantastic option for catering in the Lincoln area, adds, “I feel that with any holiday gathering, whether it be at the office, home, or other venue, food plays the biggest role.  Choosing the right entrees and side dishes can really make your gathering memorable.  It is often difficult to find the time or energy to prepare a large feast.  At Cowboy Chicken, we do all of the heavy lifting for you so that you can enjoy the time with your guests.  We have a wide variety of side options to go with our wood fire rotisserie chicken.  Also, in November and December, we will have our wood fire rotisserie Turkeys, just in time for your holiday events.  We can serve any size group from small to large, at any type of venue, and we can deliver it right to you.  With over 30 years in the restaurant industry and with Cowboy Chicken being locally owned and operated, we can help you plan your menu and come up with some unique and creative ideas for your family or business event.”

Making Plans for Your Pets

There is a lot packed into a short amount of time during the holidays, with much to do that requires more of a commitment of time and attention (and probably a lot of running around town) than during the rest of the year. With travelling and entertaining in the home to add to the equation, you’ll want to make sure that any necessary arrangements for your family members of the furry variety are handled soon because this is another area of high demand during the holiday season.

Particularly if you’re hosting a gathering at your home, visitors and so much action may be a stressor to your pets. With everyone coming and going, it’s also easy for your pet to slip out the door unnoticed. If you don’t have a quiet, secure place in your house where your pet can lay low during the festivities, you’ll probably want to plan for transport to another location, whether it’s a friend or family member’s house or a place where you can board your pet. Alternatively, if your pet enjoys being the center of attention, a trip to the grooming salon for a holiday style is likely on the agenda.

“Our boarding facility and grooming salon become very busy during the holidays,” says Dian Quist of KENL INN. “Setting early reservations and appointments will assure that your pet’s needs are fulfilled.

Your pets are certainly a part of your family, and we feel the same way here at KENL INN. Take care to make your pet feel comfortable when you have guests over for parties by treating them to a party of their own! We offer a variety of options throughout the year, including nature hikes, group play, one-on-one play or cuddle time, and ‘Gym N Swim’; however, during the holiday season our special events are a big hit. This includes Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, and even a New Year’s Eve celebration!”

She also emphasizes the importance of taking necessary precautions, advising to “Take time to familiarize yourself with potential hazards to your pet associated with the holidays.”

Indeed, during the holidays it’s especially important to keep the safety of our furry friends in mind. Whether at home or for our pets in the workplace, here are a few tips provided by the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) that will help to ensure that the holiday season is enjoyable for all!

• Make sure that your Christmas tree is securely anchored so that it doesn’t tip and fall, potentially injuring your pet. This will also prevent the tree water (which may contain fertilizers that can be toxic or cause an upset stomach if ingested) from spilling. Keep in mind that stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he/she drink it.
• Avoid the tinsel. Many pets, especially cats, love this stuff and consider it to be something fun to play with. However, if swallowed, it can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration, and possible surgery.
• While it’s commonly understood by pet owners that chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol is a big no-no, it’s also important to keep them away from just about any other variety of holiday fare and treats. Especially during holiday parties and gatherings, make sure to keep your pet away from the table and unattended plates of food or cocktails. Also, be sure to secure the lids on the garbage cans or promptly take out any trash after the party.
• Ditch the mistletoe, holly and lilies. Although a staple of holiday décor, they are toxic to animals so the faux versions are a far better option for pet owners. Holly, when ingested by pets, can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
• Keep all of the wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth.
• With all of the commotion and stimuli, pets are prone to anxiety during the holidays. Give your pet his/her own quiet space to retreat to, complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle.

… And Everything Else

We’ve covered a lot of territory in terms of party prep, but there are still a few other things to add to your list (which of course you’ll check twice–can’t be too careful!).

Lights:

Holiday lights are a must! While there are some ambitious enough to take on the job, it can easily turn into a situation that closely resembles something out of Clark Griswold’s playbook if you’re not careful. By hiring a local company like Christmas Décor by Festive Expressions to bring your party to life, this will all be avoided and the results are guaranteed to be absolutely stunning.

Camera:

What’s a party without plenty of fun photos to look back on fondly at a later day – or to post on any number of social media channels immediately to show everyone how much fun you’re having, who are we kidding?!

As such, dressing the part is a must. You might have go-to statement pieces in your wardrobe, but it’s always fun to debut a brand new look that’s fitting for the occasion. Holiday parties run the gambit from casual dress to glitz and glamour, and even venture into themed attire—you’ve probably got an ugly sweater just waiting to be unleashed yet again this year.

If your goal is to dress to impress, make sure to check out the local boutiques in town because these are the places where you’re sure to find the best hidden gems! At Rachel’s Boutique in southeast Lincoln or 3 Daughters Boutique in the Haymarket you’ll find a great selection of pieces that are perfect for holiday parties, with new arrivals coming in all throughout the season.

Action!

Now you should be well on your way to putting together the best holiday party yet!

Holiday Gift Preview

With all of the holiday party necessities out of the way, this brings us to an equally important topic during the holidays: Shopping for the perfect gifts.

While for most gifts there is a little time to spare before you’ll need to get started with your holiday shopping adventures, for a select few items now is the time to act.

Gifts that need to be special ordered are best to get out of the way as soon as possible, particularly if there are lead times involved. A prime example is anything you’d need personalized—a last name embroidered on sports apparel, an engraved watch or flask, and anything that would be custom-made, from furniture to jewelry and so many more possibilities on past those.

Corporate gifts often fall into the customized area, if not because of the gift itself but because they are generally ordered in numbers as opposed to just one item. Placing your orders this month is ideal to ensure you receive your gifts with enough time to distribute them accordingly.

It’s also the best time to pick up the items that will be in high demand; while you may find good deals during the holidays, there are plenty of other items that may not vary that much in price when all is said and done.

To get you started, we’ve listed some ideas for gift giving provided by a few of our favorite local businesses:

“We put together food and gift baskets year-round, with a customized assortment of items that can be arranged at many different price points. As just one example of a great holiday office party gift, we can put together a basket with jams and a spreader for under $10 apiece. To beat the rush, it’s a good idea to pre-order your gift baskets this month. We also have some canvas art pieces that can be customized that make great gifts. While we are well-known for our selection of houseware items, we have FABULOUS fall ponchos, scarves and gloves in great colors and at great price points too.” – Jana Clark, Habitat

“Our gift card bundles are always popular with businesses and people love receiving them.  Business owners, managers and HR representatives contact us for large amount of gift cards for their team members and we in turn give them a percentage off pending on the amount they purchase.  It’s a fantastic gesture to give those who work hard all year round a chef-inspired evening at Venue.  We also love when businesses buy gift cards for their clients!  Whether to say thank you for your business or treat them to a Venue gift card for being a loyal customer, it’s always a great gift for the holidays.” – Kelli Pilkington, Venue Restaurant & Lounge

We offer tons of gift ideas at Tranquility Salon & Spa and can help you customize the perfect gift for just about anyone! For example, we carry a complete bath, body and candle line from Lollia, which smells and feels amazing! Our spa gift cards are always a wonderful option, making gift giving less stressful and fun. These can be purchased straight from our website, or we welcome you to stop in and browse our gift items to pair with a gift card. If those options won’t work, you can even purchase over the phone and we will mail it to you! –Tasha Schmeichel, Tranquility Salon & Spa

“Boudoir photography is one of the most personal gifts that you can give to your significant other – no one else can give him the same gift! What guy doesn’t want some sexy images of his lady? We are booking now for those women who want their images ready in time for Christmas. We recommend that you schedule your session 6-7 weeks prior to when you want them in-hand.” – Jaime Incontro, Purple Sky Productions

“Escape Lincoln offers gift certificates which have been popular giveaways and gifts year-round. You can purchase gift certificates online for any group size, or contact us with a custom request.” – Anh McClure, Escape Lincoln

“Harris Academy of the Arts doesn’t just offer professional musicians for holiday parties – we also provide quality private music lessons and group class opportunities. Our most popular gift offering for the 2016 holiday season is our gift cards – customers can request a specific dollar value for their gift-receiver, or they can even purchase a gift card for a set amount of lessons or classes. Giving the gift of music is one of the greatest gifts of all, and gift certificates make the best stocking stuffers!” – Vicki Harris, Harris Academy of the Arts

“In addition to the ability to put together really nice gift baskets, we will be featuring holiday-specific wines throughout November and December that are perfect for gift giving! We will also be starting our wine club, with the opportunity to attend a free monthly wine tasting for members, who can then select two of the three featured wines to take home. A membership or a bottle from the tasting would both make great gifts too!” – Jennifer Amen Tomka, barVino

“‘Tis the season to order your corporate gifts for clients and employees, and creative promotional products fit the bill nicely! Customized pens or pen sets and drinkware are usually the most popular, but there are literally thousands of items to choose from in every price range. Not only does this get your name out and recognized, but it is a thoughtful gesture of thanks during the holiday season. Since most plan to give these gifts during the month of December at holiday events and not just at the end of the month around the Christmas holiday, making arrangements early is ideal. The lead time for ordering these customized products is at least a few weeks in most cases, so just to be on the safe side, you’ll want to have yours placed by October or the beginning of November.” – Frosty Critchfield, Frosty’s Specialty Advertising

“Our signature gift baskets can be customized to fit any gift-giving need, whether it’s for family, friends, customers or co-workers. This can include a personalized label for each bottle of wine, as we’ve created a number of beautiful label backgrounds especially for the holidays. We also offer gift certificates, which can be personalized for a wine tasting or one of our special events in addition to the traditional dollar amount option.” – James Ballard, From Nebraska Gift Shop and James Arthur Vineyards

While there are always going to be those things on the holiday checklist that end up getting put off until the last-minute, there are others that you’ll want to get on top of right away. Most notably, if your holiday party plans necessitate a date in November or December, or if you’ll need to special order a custom gift, this month is the time to act!