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

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

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Jennifer Phillips – Lied Lodge and Conference Center

“Many of our clients want something that allows their team to relax in the holiday spirit,” says Jennifer Phillips, Senior Conference Planning Manager at Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm. “For those groups, I recommend a trip on Lied Lodge’s Holiday Trolley – a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly experience now in its fifth year. The Holiday Trolley Tour includes a one-hour tour of Christmas lights around historic Nebraska City, plus a reading of the classic story ‘The Polar Express’ and small parting gifts for the younger set – it’s definitely becoming an annual tradition for many folks.

We’re also offering a new holiday-themed event this winter called Christmas at the Mansion, available weekends from November 21 through December 19. It includes an overnight stay at Lied Lodge, plus an evening/after-hours private look inside the historic mansion at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park – all decorated in vintage décor for the holidays. Sip hot cider, hear about the Victorian Christmas traditions they kept long ago, and get into the spirit of the season. The mansion is simply gorgeous during the Christmas season, and this is a great way for visitors to enjoy it after hours for a private tour.

Overnight accommodations for holiday party guests are always a good idea to consider as well. In a fun and festive environment, it’s easy to overdo it. We want all of our party attendees to enjoy themselves, but ‘taking the elevator home’ is a really nice – and safe – option to have at the end of the night.”

She adds, “This has been a big year for Lied Lodge, as our facility underwent a top-to-bottom $9 million renovation. The feedback from our clients and visitors is that they’re really appreciating the improvements to the guest rooms, conference areas, lighting, technology, Wi-Fi – everything from shingles to bedsheets have been upgraded! It’s our hope that by visiting during the holidays – a particularly beautiful time to visit the all-new Lied Lodge – our guests will also feel relaxed and rejuvenated for the new year.”

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Tyson Schaefer – Bellevue Berry Farm and Pumpkin Ranch

Another great place to enjoy the natural scenery during the holidays is Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch. “With four Western-chic barns on the property, our venue is the perfect fit for hosting groups of all sizes,” says Tyson Schaefer of Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch. “We’ve been hosting parties for over 20 years now, so our team has had the pleasure of helping many different types of groups with their holiday gatherings from company parties to celebrations with friends and family.

Our two smaller barns will comfortably accommodate up to 150 guests, our mid-sized accommodates between 175-225 people, and our largest fits a minimum of 225 all the way up to 375 guests. If your guest list surpasses the highest number, we can even work around that too. In the past we’ve incorporated a large, heated tent attached to the barn with an outdoor bar station and additional dance floor. Each of the barns has indoor/outdoor space that’s ideal for a good flow, with a private campfire area right outside to gather around. We also have a very talented decorator available who can bring a festive flare to your party so you don’t have to worry about finding everything you need and putting it together just right. The barns truly do come to life with the right special touches, providing a festive, charming atmosphere that’s warm and welcoming.

As far as feeding your guests, we have that covered too. While our traditional holiday meals are by far the most popular for the next few months, our clients are welcome to choose from anything on the menu including our specialty BBQ fare. We serve the entrees and side dishes buffet style so that people are welcome to seconds and are able to graze or eat whenever they are comfortable doing so. We also can provide a full bar complete with the service of trained bartenders, and if you have a specialty holiday drink in mind, just bring us the idea or recipe and we’ll take it from there.

Another special touch you could add to your holiday party is a Christmas hayrack ride through 15 acres of scenic forest glowing with holiday lights!”

If you want to stay in the city but still enjoy a great view in style, Charlie’s on the Lake is a great option. “Our most popular space for holiday parties is our Lake View room, which will hold up to 75 people and even has a quaint fireplace that adds to the ambiance,” says Yves Menard of Charlie’s on the Lake. “For larger groups, our Banquet Hall can host up to 150 people and features a state of the art sound system so you can hire a DJ and dance all night long! These rooms are both available to book for private parties throughout the year. Along with its stylish atmosphere, our venue is well-known for its upscale fare and for holiday parties our extensive menu boasts unique, signature dishes that you can’t find anywhere else. In addition to fresh Nebraska beef, our clients can choose from a dozen different fish and shellfish, including Western Australian lobster tails which is known as the best in the world. That being said, we have options for every budget and try out best to accommodate any special requests you might have. After all, we are here to make sure that our guests have a great time!”

He also advises, “As many of the best places to host holiday parties across the Omaha Metro will book quickly, make sure to call your favorite places early and get confirmation. After you’ve set the date, stay on top of your event and continue communicating with the venue to ensure that everyone is on the same page. While there’s only one December 2015, there are plenty of opportunities on into January and February to host a great holiday party as well. In fact, it may be advantageous to consider avoiding the month that’s most hectic for everyone.”

When booking your venue, make sure to ask plenty of questions about what is provided so that you can then plan accordingly for the items that you will be responsible for. Should the venue you choose not supply certain party set-up needs, consider utilizing a local rental company instead of buying the items outright. As an additional perk, these businesses offer delivery and on-site set up of all necessary equipment and will take everything down after the event.

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

Sean Fuller - Just Good Meat - Holiday Cheer

Sean Fuller – Just Good Meat

Whether you are looking to put together an impressive spread, a simple meal or appetizer selection, or will opt for catering services for your upcoming holiday party or gathering, you can find all of the traditional holiday fare and even some unique twists on classic favorites at Just Good Meat. “We take great pride in providing our customers with the highest quality meats and side dishes for their holiday dinners and parties,” says Sean Fuller, owner of Just Good Meat. “While our farm fresh and smoked turkeys are by far the most popular of our offerings, especially this month, we always have a wide variety of meats to choose from including bone-in turkey breasts, bone-in or boneless old-fashioned dry cure ham, smoked prime rib and whole beef tenderloins, duck, geese and capons, just to name a few. Even better, every year we run specials on these items around the holidays as an added bonus. Along with the vast selection of main dishes to choose from, we have plenty of homemade sides available from garlic mashed potatoes to sage stuffing with sausage mixed in, all the way down to rolls and desserts. With the option to stop in and pick up items in the store, schedule an order for pick-up or delivery, or schedule our catering service, all with the ability to completely customize your meal, flexibility is our forte. While the majority of our offerings are always available at the store any time you pay us a visit, it’s important to be aware that some of the items such as the smoke prime rib are by pre-order only. As we’ve just begun taking orders for our turkeys at the beginning of November, there is still plenty of time to give us a call and get everything in place. However, especially for larger parties, you’ll want to place your order as soon as possible to ensure that you get exactly what you want, right when you need it.”

For your holiday party spirits and refreshments, you’ll find an amazing selection to choose from at Cornhusker Beverage & Bridal. As knowing what to serve and the exact quantities needed can be quite the dilemma, the experienced staff at Cornhusker Beverage & Bridal will not only help you decide the best fit for beverage offerings but also the proportion of beer, wine, liquor, punch and soft drinks while also staying within your budget. In addition to carrying all of the classic party favorites, you’ll have convenient access to party goods such as tableware and professional bartenders are also available for hire. Furthermore, whether your choice is a complete bar set-up or a simple punch bowl you can count on the staff to provide a variety of great ideas.

Oftentimes as a guest it’s a good idea to bring a beverage of choice to share with everyone or as a gift for the host, and with plenty of specials for the holidays, you’re sure to find something that will be a big hit!

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

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

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Gerry Phelan – Midwest Woodworkers

“The people who seem to already have everything don’t leave us with a lot of choices when it comes to gift giving,” says Gerry Phelan, owner of Midwest Woodworkers, Inc. “The key to finding the perfect present for them is to uncover the things they would not buy for themselves.  That may seem daunting, but if you know the person well you can figure it out.  The best part is that price matters much less for those kinds of gifts, because the value comes from your thoughtfulness.  Just be sure that the gift you give is something they would like rather than something you would want to receive.

Another approach is to give them an experience rather than things.  The memories will last far longer that clothes or a gadget. If you want a gift that keeps on giving, consider giving a certificate for a woodworking class.  Our classes provide an opportunity to unleash that inner creativity and enjoy the pure satisfaction that comes with making something with your own hands.  Whether they are new to woodworking or a veteran, there is always something to learn.  And this isn’t a lecture about woodworking – in most classes they will make a project in class that they can take home.  A class is a great gift that will last long after the holidays.

Classes make a perfect gift as the person receiving a class gets a chance to take in new experiences that expand their horizons.  Even if it doesn’t turn into a lifelong hobby, the exposure to new ideas, skills and people will be valued and remembered.  However, the best part about hobbies is that they are a socially acceptable way to take a break.  You can step back from your work and chores and relax with purpose.  A hobby provides a positive challenge that yields personal rewards without the negative stress that comes from life’s demands.   When you are engrossed in a hobby activity that you’ve chosen, the everyday worries of the day fall away.

During the holiday season we always see a big increase in gift certificates as well.  That is a great way to solve the ‘what to give’ question.  But in recent years, we have seen a big increase in people buying gift certificates specifically for classes.  Doing that lets the giver provide a unique experience or support the recipient’s hobby.”

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

For example, there are tons of great gifts in every price range for the golfer, the runner, the gym rat, the coach, the outdoors enthusiast—even just for the person who’s always on-the-go. These are the type of gifts that are practical in supporting what a person really loves to do or perhaps has always wanted to try. Furthermore, consider the fact that you could save a lot of money getting these items gently used. Check out Play It Again Sports first—their inventory is always changing and you can even trade in your gently used items for more money to spend on gifts!

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Richard Messina – Play It Again Sports

“A lot of sporting equipment can be pricey,” says Richard Messina, owner of the Play It Again Sports store in Omaha. “We offer new quality, brand name sporting goods at great prices. As a perfect example, right now we are getting in our 2016 baseball and softball bats so all older models are being marked down to make room for the newest items.  This is the perfect time to buy a nice new bat, ball glove or training aid for your child for Christmas.  As another idea for kids, we have a lot of skateboards, longboards and penny boards in stock right now and all of our new boards are currently being marked down 40%.

For those loved ones who seemingly have everything or are very hard to shop for, gift cards are always nice. Give the gift of health and fitness and simply let them pick out what they want!  Did you know that our staff will help fit you into your gear you want to buy?  Is there a sport that you are interested in trying out but don’t know where to start?  We can certainly help you.  Whether it is figuring out the perfect baseball glove or bat, getting set up for hockey or lacrosse – we can help you get fitted correctly for your sport.”

He adds, “Every holiday season brings on those promises of fitness and weight loss for the new year.  Play It Again Sports is the perfect place to start turning those goals into reality.  Why go out into the cold and have to drive to and from a gym when you can have a piece of equipment at your home to use at your convenience?  Not only do we have new fitness and sports equipment, but we also have gently-used equipment that will save you money.  We also have delivery and set-up services for a fee.

With fitness equipment there’s been a trend towards space-saving items.  All of our treadmills are space-savers, we have a few ellipticals which also fold up, and new to our store are space-saver stationary bikes.  If space is an issue in your home, come by and see if these will work for you!”
For those who enjoy cooking or baking, classes are a great idea. You could also choose to add to their collection of recipes with a brand new cookbook!

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Michael Watkins – Omaha Home For Boys

“The Omaha Home for Boys is selling a piece of history this year for the holiday season,” explains Michael Watkins, Marketing and Communications Manager at Omaha Home for Boys. “Our 95th Anniversary cookbook is fresh off the press and has over 560 scrumptious recipes on 308 pages from staff, alumni, board members and friends of the Home. A lot of time and love went into compiling these recipes – and all the proceeds go back to helping fund our youth programs and care for our young men and women. I like to think that this is the gift that keeps on…cooking. The cookbook is available for purchase on our website, www.omahahomeforboys.org, and the cost of $20 includes shipping and handling. What a great gift for friends and family near and far!

In addition to our website and various locations around town, we’ll be selling our 95th Anniversary cookbook at our Home for Holidays Open House on Thursday, December 3 between 3-6 p.m. We’d like to welcome the community to come join us as we kick-off the 2015 Holiday season with food, fun, festivities and the annual lighting of our huge tree in Cottage Circle. And Santa Claus will be there, too, to have his picture taken with kids’ from throughout the community.”

Michelle Kaiser - Alotta Brownies Bakery - Holiday Cheer

Michelle Kaiser – Alotta Brownies Bakery

While some people like doing the actual baking, others may prefer enjoying the finished product when it comes to holiday goodies. If you’re looking for an easy way to impress anyone on your gift list, each year Alotta Brownies Bakery puts together an absolutely amazing assortment of Gourmet Gift Boxes. These heavy two-piece boxes come complete with a festive ribbon and gift tag, as well as an assortment of fresh baked signature goodies from Alotta Brownies! “In addition to our Gourmet Gift Boxes, we can also customize gifts for anyone on your list,” says Michelle Kaiser, owner of Alotta Brownies Bakery. “No matter how big or small the request, we have such a wide variety of product and service offerings that it just comes down to what you like, what your needs are, and the date that you need your order completed. The key is to get your order in as soon as possible, so you get exactly what you want and have the opportunity to incorporate personal touches and a little creativity too if you like. We take pride in putting special touches on all of our products, and we’d be honored to assist you in treating those closest to you this holiday season!”

She adds, “For your holiday party this year, consider adding a festive touch with a dessert bar from Alotta Brownies Bakery. You can mix and match for a selection of seasonal goodies and the presentation is sure to delight your guests!”

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