Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail!

Along with springtime comes one of my favorite holidays. Easter! Not only is it a great opportunity to for me to celebrate my faith, but it’s a great opportunity for me to gather my family close and feed them. I love to use my years of restauranteur experience and put out a beautiful spread. Each of my kids and grandkids has a favorite desert that I will make especially for them. And let’s not forget the Easter egg hunt in the backyard for the littles. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to watch them hunt, pick up an egg, put it in their baskets then drop it while picking up another egg. And when they open them up, the treasure inside just lights up their tiny faces. This season is all about the love for sure.

Table Decor

Every table should have the obvious staples like flatware and dishes but done in the right colors, they will brighten up the whole room. I like to use traditional pastels for the table because, well, that’s just my taste. Recently, greys and navy blues are popular as well. Those greys are more neutral and let you blend in color with other tabletop items. Navy blue is a very stately and formal look that really dresses up a table. Especially when you add gold or silver as an accent. Throw a pearl garland in there and you’re all set. Tap into some of your Christmas decorations for this look if they are neutral like the navy, silver, and golds. And do not forget the flowers. I use a large vase and over stuff it with tulips, lilies, sunflowers, greenery, and any other spring flowers I can find. These don’t have to be expensive. Now you can find beautiful budget friendly flowers in the floral department of your grocery store.

Let’s Eat!

Typically, the foods for this holiday are ham, salads, rolls, mashed or au gratin potatoes. But don’t fill up on the main course because, there’s dessert. There are plenty of places around town that sell great desserts, but I enjoy making my families favorites like trifles, red velvet cake with a homemade butter cream frosting and, of course, homemade cheesecake with a raspberry sauce on top. To die for. I’ll include the cheesecake recipe here because it’s an easy one to make and a fan favorite. If you’re more of a sipper than a dessert person than try an after-dinner dessert wine. There are plenty of vineyards around Nebraska where you can buy them. I personally like Soaring Wings in Springfield, NE.

Shhhh…I’m huntin’ wabbits… (anyone in my age group should get that one right away)

Don’t forget about the hunt. If you’re trying to be virus friendly, put one on in your backyard just for your kids or some neighborhood kids you know well and can trust to be protected. There are lots of little tips for a successful Easter egg hunt. I found a some great how to articles just by Googling. They’ll need to be colored first but luckily you can go out and buy an Easter egg coloring kit at most grocery stores. I like the old school kits with vinegar and food coloring but watch out, it’s an older kids kit because it stains and will not come clean. There are others though with paints and things to stick on the eggs and there are smaller kid friendly ones as well.

Whether you’re putting on the big shindig or you’re just having a few family members over, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that you’re blessed. Enjoy those family and friends and take a moment to be grateful for them because I’m sure they’re grateful for you. Happy Easter ya’ll!

For more information on our design work and the Priority Group visit www.omahaprioritygroup.com

St. Patrick’s Day is Around the Corner

Roughly 13% of Nebraskan’s are Irish so let’s get our Paddy O’Party on! Whether you’re having an online party, an in-person party or going out, here are some ideas for serving, family activities and a few of my pub and restaurant favs. And let’s not forget the virtual fun. We’re going to look Covid right in the face and say, I can adapt by creating a St. Pat’s day celebration that’s amazing regardless of the venue.

Table Settings

Green, green, and green. What can I say? Tis the season. The fortunate thing is that you can find Kelly green in so many things from plates to linens, greenery and, if you want to get ultra-crafty, then get out the green paint and decorate wine glasses or paint a glass vase or mason jar for flowers and plants. And don’t forget to add in the shamrock shape someplace. There are plenty of home goods stores that sell seasonal linens and dishware for this holiday so do it up. I enjoy taking advantage of after holiday sales and saving my treasures for next year.

Family Fun

Believe it or not there is a Gnome hunt at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Nebraska city is known for being the birthplace or Arbor Day and they host a lot of lovely events like the Apple Jack Festival and Halloween egg hunts. But during this time of year, we’re apparently welcome to hunt up some Gnomes for St. Patrick’s Day. The event will be going on from March 6-14th. Find more information about it at www.arbordayfarm.org/events Also, consider spending the day at the Omaha Children’s Museum. Kids can create their own leprechaun trap in the Tinker Studio, learn about rainbows at their S.T.E.A.M. cart, make a leprechaun card for a friend, and go on a museum-wide hunt for magical pots of gold! Activities are included with regular museum admission and free for members. www.visitomaha.com/event/st-patrick%E2%80%99s-day/35612.

Food

Of course, there’s the original corn beef and cabbage dish for that comes to mind but where do we find other treats? If you’re in the mood for some traditional Irish fare, then Brazen Head Irish pub is the place for you. It’s well rated and has menu items like bangers & Mashed and corned beef and cabbage. www.brazenheadpub.com. They also have a celebration on St. Patrick’s Day with meal specials. There are certainly Irish pubs a plenty in some trendy areas like downtown Omaha as well as some out of the way places. A simple web search will help you find them all and give you important details like hours of operation, events, menus, and any restrictions.

Adult Fun

Now green beer may or may not be your thing on St. Pat’s but how about a fun pub crawl? It doesn’t much cooler than Omaha’s Old Market and that’s where you’ll find the Dubliner Pub certain to be on any pub crawl list with live Irish music, Irish whiskey and, yes, even green beer if you so choose. This spot is a neat basement location on Harney Street that you can’t beat. Put together your own crawl or sign up for an event online that will take you around town to the coolest Irish pubs for various libations. But don’t call me. I’m more of a stay at one place kind of girl. Usually, it’s my backyard deck.

Web Party Ideas

You don’t have to be an outdoor party animal this year. If you’re being cautious and want to remain indoors, there’s plenty of opportunity to part online with friends. Just login to Zoom or Microsoft Teams, throw on some green hats and celebrate in the new normal. I recommend creating an informal agenda for your online celebration or an outline or ideas list. That way you won’t run out of fun before you even get started. Begin with some quick intros and conversation. Catch up with folks you may not have seen in a while. Then quickly move on to online friendly games like trivia, Twenty Questions to help you get to know one another, and providing you have all adults, Cards Against Humanity is a blast.

To find out more about the author or this blog, Sallie Elliott, or the Priority Group go to omahaprioritygroup.com and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all you awesome folks out there in web land.

Valentine’s Day Design Ideas

Well…its’ that time of year again. Valentine’s Day. The day when we have the opportunity to properly acknowledge the ones we love. It can be a tricky one. For new love you must choose the most appropriate way to tell her or him that you care for them. Too much and it’s overkill. Too little and whoops you whiffed it. For couples that have been married for a long time, the trick is to keep it fresh. Here’s a tip for the guys. Don’t buy her a vacuum cleaner. We’re all staying indoors these days so you’re likely considering an at home celebration. Regardless of who you celebrate with, how you celebrate or what message you’re trying to get across, you may want to consider some design tips. So here you go. This week’s blog is designed to help make you the master of Valentine’s Day decoration.

K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Silly

Don’t go crazy trying to design something unique. The trick is to make someone feel good. Let them know that you cared enough to go the extra mile. Get the kids involved. Have them cut out some small paper hearts to throw on the dinner table for that romantic dinner. They will enjoy it and you’ve got instant decorations without all the fuss. Buy some fresh flowers. These days the grocery store usually has beautiful arrangements at budget friendly prices. They’re a nice way to decorate and she will love them. Plus, they smell good. Maybe buy a few too many so you can spread them around and fill up the room. Go to your local arts and crafts store. They are guaranteed to have some holiday related items that you can use to decorate. Some of them, you can customize yourself with paint, etc. You don’t have to spend a ton or stress out trying to come up with neat ideas for decorating.

Go Neutral

You don’t have to go all pink and red to decorate for this occasion. In fact, it might be nice if you could keep the throw pillows and other things all year round. Buy neutral-colored items with hearts or sweet things written on them to compliment the holiday without having to have specific items that you must take out for one day then pack away for the rest of the year. You’d be surprised at how much love décor there is out there that can be used all year long.

Going All Out

Now if you’re the type of person who really likes to go over the top, this can certainly the occasion for that. Whether you just needed an excuse to throw a party or you’re having a romantic dinner with you’re significant other, there are so many options for doing it up on Valentine’s Day. I like the Linen Gallery for decorating the table. Try putting out some red or pink fabric napkins, using holiday specific place mats, plates, wine glasses or a table runner. You can even find kitchen towels to do it up. If you like, throw some colored glass on the table for a little sparkle which you can easily get at the arts and crafts store. Flowers, flowers and did I say flowers. Add some to the table whether fresh or artificial and it adds some nice color. And don’t forget candlelight. Candles make the atmosphere romantic; they smell good and add color.

Don’t Forget the Mantle

It’s my favorite place in the house to decorate. Why not, it’s usually the focal point of the room so it’s a great place to make a love statement. I love greens for the filler and I also like a couple of statement pieces on either end of the mantle. You’ll want to have a center piece as well to begin with and build off. Try a bundle of flowers, a large heart or a small to medium sized piece of artwork. And let it all hang out with some garland to dangle down in strategic places from the mental. Perhaps in a swag pattern. Also add some red berries for pops of color. Put together the right way, your mantel will be a beautiful way to celebrate the day. For additional design ideas check out our blogs at https://omahaprioritygroup.com/blog as well as for more information on the Priority Group.

Auld Lang Syne….What?

It’s a bid fare well to old times. Who knew? What we’re not bidding farewell to this time of year are fun and stylish party designs. Here are a few goodies to help you decorate for your New Year’s Eve celebration. Colors, textures, old, new, exotic, traditional or modern styles can be used to create an esthetically pleasing party pallet. When it comes to temporary décor for an occasion, the sky is the limit. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the bling is my thing. And it’s ever so appropriate for this particular holiday. The more sparkle, the better. In my opinion, if you don’t come away from the party covered in glitter then I’ve not done my job as a fabulous host. Here we go.

Lay It Out

The table filled with edible treats is going to be your centerpiece. This is your opportunity to get out all the good stuff. Use the china and crystal you’ve been saving since you got married. Your guests will love being trusted with your expensive accoutrements and it makes us feel special. Pick a theme whether it be a color theme or a party theme or go with something a little more random and maybe a little boho. Layer your serving pieces so that you have some dimension on the tabletop. Plus, it helps your guests to see what goodies are there as opposed to having to walk all the way around to see what’s in the back. Add live or artificial greenery as filler, and perhaps create an overstuffed look of abundance. Candles make things feel warm and inviting, just ensure that it’s safe and there won’t be small children around to tip them over. Formal linens really make a statement especially if they are a matching set. Lay those out for the party people to use or just as decoration depending on how many you have and don’t be afraid of a healthy splash of color.

A Bit More Casual

I mentioned going a little more boho rather than formal and I meant it. Not everyone wants to have a small get together where everyone uses the good silver. Some of us prefer a casual wine and beer event with paper plates and disposable cups. Yes, I said the words paper and disposable. There are some nice matching sets of paper plates, disposable cups, and matching paper napkins. They bring your party look together and they’re easy to clean up at the end of the night. Plus, if you have anyone that celebrates a bit too much, you don’t have to worry about broken champagne glasses. And using these doesn’t have to cheapen your party décor. Just spice up the table with a nice charcuterie which is like decorating with food. Lay out some rolled deli meats that make your plate look intentional instead of random. Decorate with food so to speak. Lay out your napkins and plates in a decorative manner so that no one notices they’re paper. And lastly, decorate the room. Balloons are a nice way to fill up a room without spending too much and you can add decorative ribbon to them and let it hang down from the ceiling for a romantic feel.

Decorate Your Guests

Don’t forget that the people at the party like a little wearable schwag. Buy some matching hats, boas, necklaces, eyeglasses, or masquerade masks for them to put on. And everyone loves to snap a good pic so go for it with a designated area for photo opps. Include a shiny backdrop and some quick costume pieces or hold up frames for folks to enjoy while snapping away. You can even go nuts and rent a photo booth if you like. Everyone will love dressing up a bit and creating photographic memories with the props you provide. And it makes for some funny social media posts to last a lifetime. All you have left to do now is enjoy the countdown and welcome in 2021.

Wishing you a prosperous new year from our Priority Group family to yours. For more blog posts and to find out more about us go to www.omahaprioritygroup.com or schedule a meetup to discuss your real estate needs with one of our team members.

Lights Around Town – Omaha Area Christmas Displays

2020 has certainly been a year to remember for so many reasons. What I’m most impressed with this year is our communities Christmas spirit. For example, you can find beautiful Christmas displays north and south of Dodge as well as Council Bluffs and surrounding areas. It’s pretty impressive to say the least. My opinion is that everyone was fed up with the downside of 2020 and ready to put it behind them, so they started putting up trees and lights even before Thanksgiving. It is so nice to see people being resilient during challenging times and celebrating the good things in life. Here are some places to go to get an eyeful of love and hope. Find the best Christmas Lights in Omaha full of beautifully decorated houses with bright lights, inflatables, decorations, and some with thousands of lights choreographed to music! I was able to find hundreds of locations where families are putting on their own private shows at Family Fun Omaha’s web page https://familyfuninomaha.com/christmas-light-displays-omaha

Old Market, North Omaha, & South Omaha

There are lighting displays in these areas from November 20th through January 4th on a nightly basis and they are FREE! The Old Market display has white lights, garland, and festive decor illuminating the brick streets of the Old Market and surrounding areas. This display will run from 10th Street to 13th Street, and from Harney St. to Jackson St. The North Omaha display will be showcased along a 6-block area around 24th Street and Lake Street. And the South Omaha Display will be showcased on 24th Street between L St. and Q St. Walking through these areas at night is a great and socially distanced way to enjoy the decorations while still staying safe.

Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing

Midtown Crossing is a renaissance area located in the heart of Omaha. There are plenty of excellent restaurants and, of course, a beautiful holiday display that runs from November 20th through February 14th. Something to enjoy, free of charge. Stroll in the glow of a cherished holiday tradition with tens of thousands of white LED lights strung throughout Turner Park and along Farnam Street. Plus, visit the beautifully decorated tree in Farnam Court. It is located at Turner Park on 31st Avenue and Farnam Street in Omaha, NE.

Santa’s Rock ‘n Lights at Werner Park

Werner Park is a minor league ballpark near Papillion, Nebraska. Opened nine years ago in 2011, it is owned by Sarpy County and is the home of the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Pacific Coast League, and USL League One soccer club Union Omaha. However, from November 20th through January 3rd, you can drive through an amazing holiday display there. The price is reasonable at $19.99-$27.99 per vehicle. There are more than 700 feet of light tunnels, including a new techno rainbow tunnel located at Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE. Find times and buy tickets at https://santasrocknlights.com

For more information on the Priority Group and how we can help you buy, sell or build and home go to www.prioritygroup.com

Tis the Season for Giving

As I considered the topic for this week’s blog, it occurred to me how fortunate I am to be able to have a career doing what I’m passionate about. With that in mind, I wanted to do something a little different with today’s blog. Instead of design, I’m going to be writing about what this season is really all about, giving. I’m a true believer that once you start to realize your goals, you have to turn around and help the next person in line. Sometimes that means mentorship or career counseling. And sometimes that means fulfilling a need in the community. Locally, and especially this year, we have many in need and here are some ways we can all help.

Open Door Mission

This one is located in West Omaha right in my own back yard. It’s a mission whose goal is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. They have some urgent needs that are extremely easy to contribute to and certainly worth a few minutes of time. The first one is called Project Santa. If you go to their website at https://www.opendoormission.org/urgent-needs/project-santa you will find a link where you can easily shop for toys that go to needy boys and girls so that everyone will have gifts on Christmas morning. You don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home. How easy is that? Additionally, they have a program called Christmas bells. This one is for the adults who need some love at this time of year. It provides gifts for hurting adults who are lonely and need to know someone cares. You can help by hosting a drive to collect these much-needed gifts. Hosting a drive has never been easier! https://www.opendoormission.org/urgent-needs/christmas-bells

The Lane Thomas Foundation

This one is near and dear to my heart. It was founded by close friends of mine. Imagine being a family with a child that must have an organ or multiple organs transplanted. The expense of caring for that child including travel, lodging, meals, etc. that are not covered by health insurance can be overwhelming. Often times, one spouse will have to quit their job to dedicate time to their child’s care, but the bills still must be paid. The foundation provides support in this area with contributions towards non-medical expenses. It’s a cause well worth contributing toward. https://www.lanethomas.org/donate

Realtor Ring Day

This past week, a few of the team members from the Priority Group pitched in and donated their time to the Salvation Army by ringing the ever so well know bell and filling those red pots with some cash. You can help out with monetary donations as well as donations of lightly used household items. What better time than when you have to dig out all the holiday decorations to clean out that storage space and get rid of some of those items that you haven’t used in a long time? The Salvation Army will sell your things at their thrift stores and the proceeds are used to fund their adult rehabilitation centers where those struggling with drugs and alcohol find help, hope, and a second chance at life. An excellent way to make an impact in our community. https://satruck.org

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha

In 2020, Habitat Omaha built or renovated more than 40 homes. Additionally, they completed up to 140 home repair or improvement projects, expanding their impact through critical repairs and services for veterans, people with disabilities and the elderly. One of the things that Habitat does is build homes for those in need. A homeowner needs to put in up to 350 hours of sweat equity before purchasing their home. I personally have volunteered my time in building one of the Habitat communities and the satisfaction of helping is tremendous. They will accept your time, money, and household items like gently used kitchen cabinets and appliances that you have left over from your home renovation. https://habitatomaha.org

For more information on the Priority Group, go to www.omahaprioritygroup.com

Christmas Mantles and More

Tis the season and today I’m going to show you how the merriest people deck the halls. It’s traditional for most folks to put up a Christmas tree but some go the extra mile with mantle decorations and others love to really jazz things up with a Christmas village. There are so many ways to mix it up with mantles and villages…garland, lights, moving parts, tiny people, not to mention colors, glitter, and artificial snow. Creating an indoor winter wonderland is something that some of us take very seriously. Myself included.

Go with What Works

I personally like a more traditional look with a little bit of holiday floral inside to make my mantle décor a real showstopper. I also use it as the center piece of my room, drawing the eye to it as soon as you walk in. Warm burgundies, gold and creams are the theme with just a little bit of greenery. I love the way it’s set with a higher level in the center as the thriller, some medium level items as the filler and still some lower level items to finish it off. It cascades down to the left and right of the thriller and fills up the mantle, but I finished it off with some family heirlooms on each end to help me remember my grandmother who gave them to me. That completes the emotion I wanted for my personal mantle.

Get Creative. No Offense Rudolf

Everyone loves something a little different. For a more interesting, and rustic, look this designer went with antlers. Yes, antlers! It’s hard to imagine but this design would go really well in a winter cabin up in the mountains someplace. Check out how the designer uses the antlers as the center piece and then throws in a pop of color with a red berry garland swag to contrast the cream-colored mantle. It’s pretty ingenious. The oversized pinecones and the pine boughs tie it all together with a little bit of bling brought in by the gold jingle bells scattered throughout. This one is a real creation that most people would not think to put together.

Keep It Simply Silly

For those of you who are city people, there’s a style for you as well. This design took a black fireplace and turned it into a sheik Christmas display. What really accentuates the entire thing is the circular mirror topped off with a hat of greenery which matches the greenery on the mantle itself. Accents of brass candle holders and reindeer really give it a quiet elegance while at the same time giving it a little shine. The gold and cream-colored beaded garland draped down and across soften the entire design and give it some added class. The forest green plaid and fur stockings blend in with the dark paint while still adding color. And finally, white twinkle lights give the entire thing some sparkle. Nicely done!

Let’s Put a Little Bling in this Thing

You’ve got to check this beautiful spectacle out. As much as I like the ever so popular buffalo plaid, there’s something to be said about an overstuffed mantle with big, bold splashes color. If you’ve been hanging on to those multicolored lights and decorations waiting for them to come back into style, you’ve arrived. This is a multifaceted color and sparkle mix with mesh ribbon to give it a full look and a little greenery thrown in for good measure. I personally love how playful it is. It gives me that feeling of when I was a kid and rainbows were all the rage. Unlike the matched and color coordinated look, with this mantle, you can add almost any color and texture you want to the rest of the room and they will blend nicely. A coordinating Christmas tree would be just darling. Don’t be afraid to go for it when you’re doing up your mantle. Color is your friend.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Anyone who knows the movie will understand it when I say that a friend told me my Christmas village looks like Bedford Falls. And that’s exactly what I was going for. That hometown, I wish I lived there, feeling. Village people, as I call us, are just grown ups longing to play with toys again. Collections are not usually my thing, but someone bought me my first little white church as a gift and from there on in, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve added tiny homes, businesses and people. This year’s addition, compliments of my wonderful mother-in-law, is a skating pond with people that actually skate. Sound silly? Maybe but it has brought me and the folks that follow me on Facebook, loads of joy. Adding fake snow made everything feel more real believe it or not. And it helped me cover up the wires that bring power to the lights inside the buildings. I topped off the entire thing with multicolored twinkle lights just to bring some pop to it all. Hopefully, you love my little town as much as I do.

Sign up for news and find out more about the Priority Group at www.omahaprioritygroup.com.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Anyone who’s taken time to reflect on 2020 has probably given the pandemic some thought and how it’s impacted this year. We’ve had some struggles, to say the least. That must be why everyone has been decorating extra early for the holiday. I’ve seen lights on houses before Thanksgiving and some starting as early as Halloween. I for one think it’s pretty fantastic. Dress up the remainder of 2020 and call it good. The design/decoration we’re talking about today, is Christmas trees. There have been so many creative trends this year, I can’t fit them all into one blog article. Instead, I picked out a few from our own Priority Group team. Oh, and let’s not forget the most famous tree of all. The Rockefeller Center tree just to satisfy those of us who would like to know the stats for that beauty.

Classic and Simple

This tree was created by our Assistant Designer Taylor who chose her first ever live tree. As you can see, it’s simply done and has mat, shiny and glitter covered silver balls on it and a few whites ones as well. What I like about it is that the tree skirt is a beautiful piece of red and black plaid fabric that contrasts the decorations. The tree itself is not too big, not too small but just the right size for the space. Taylor’s house is well put together and tasteful just like her new tree. Well done to her for putting together a little piece of heaven without going to extremes. Now let’s put some presents under this one.

Did you say Ombre? Yes you did.

I must say that I’ve never seen an ombre Christmas tree before but this one is, as the younger generation likes to say, the bomb. Another one of our talented Design Assistants, Amanda is responsible for this work of art. Not only is it unique but it’s so nicely color coordinated with the light to dark theme. You can find this tree at At Home the home decor store. It’s definitely one in a million and I love it. It’s interesting how the fade from white to grey to black and dark green blend with festive red, white and green decorations. Way to go Amanda!

A More Traditional Look

This one is my tree. It’s referred to as a pencil style artificial tree made for more narrow spaces. I chose to decorate it with burgundy and gold including a gold and white lame skirt. It has a floral garland on it in a soft cream color accented with gold and burgundy balls. To top it all off there is a beautiful, large bow at top with long pieces of ribbon hanging horizontally from it. I think it makes the tree look like a beautiful Christmas gift. The entire thing blends with the decorating style I chose for my home which is a warm, soft, eclectic feel that blends a lot of different styles and earth toned colors. I felt the tree really completed the room.

Candy Cane Design

The next one on my list is a nine-foot artificial, white flocked tree that belongs to our team Transaction Assistant Lisa. I call this one a candy cane design because of the wide white ribbon spooling at an angle vertically from top to bottom. It reminds me of a candy cane with the blue stripe through it. The ribbon is gathered and tucked all the way from top to bottom which gives the tree a full and overstuffed looked. Added to that is a blue theme with light and royal blue balls and a few white feathers thrown in there for good measure. The clear Lucite oversized snowflakes scattered throughout the tree gives it a little sparkle when they reflect the lights behind them which matched the sparkle in the silver balls that are thrown in. And lastly, the white velvet tree skirt with a sparkle silver crisscross pattern on it ties all that glitter together between the balls, the snowflakes, and the lights. This overstuffed design has been popular for the last several years and doesn’t seem to be going out of style.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a proper salute to the nation’s most famous tree standing in the heart of New York City. The Rockefeller Christmas tree is just gorgeous. This beauty draws some attention to the tune of 750,000 visitors a day while it stands during the holiday season. It is a 75 foot 11 inch Norway Spruce. There are 50,000 lights on the tree once it’s all done and the topper is made from 25,000 Swarovski crystals. It weighs 900 pounds and costs about $1.5 million dollars. And let’s not talk about how much electricity it takes to power all of those lights. Good thing it’s power comes primarily from solar panels installed at Rockefeller Center. To add some excitement to this one, this year there was a stow away in the tree. A tiny and very adorable Northern saw-whet owl was found inside after the tree had been transported. Luckily, the little guy is ok and back in the wild.

The Priority Group wishes you a very Merry Christmas and good luck with your own tree creations. For more information about us go to www.omahaprioritygroup.com.

Tis the Season for Christmas Tree Farms

It’s the day after Thanksgiving and while the fridge is still packed with leftover turkey dinner, all I can think about is decorating for Christmas. For me it’s the adult equivalent of opening presents on Christmas morning. I’ll have to pack away my fall decorations and pluck all of the bins with my decorating goodies out of the storage room but after I’ve done that, it’s time to deck the halls. Now I have a fake tree, or as my good friend calls it, a faux tree with flocking but lots of people enjoy the process of getting a real tree. It makes the house smell like pine and they love the hunt. Especially if there are children involved. That brings us to today’s festive topic, Christmas tree farms. Nebraska is loaded with them. We thought you might like to find out about some of the most popular ones in the area. Whether you go real or go faux, these farms are a blast to check out.

Santa’s Woods

Just a short trip to Blair, Nebraska and you can help yourself to a beautiful, new tree without the hassle of manual labor. This place is a 2nd-generation, family-run, choose-and-cut, Christmas tree farm. They are a full-service facility that will cut, haul, shake, bale and load your tree for you. It’s the glamping of Christmas tree experiences. Bring the kids with you and let them pick it out then all that you have to do is get it home and put it up. There’s even a rumor that some of Santa’s elves have created “Amazing Technicolor Trees” and wreaths for their farm. And if that’s not enough, you can go on a fun hay rack ride with the whole family. What more could you ask for? Oh…you want the web site. Well here it is. https://www.santaswoods.com

Frosty’s Pine

This gem is located north of Omaha off highway 75. Just about 20 to 30 minutes from most of the metro area. It’s a bit more activity for the family because it’s a choose and cut farm where you do the cutting. Less like glamping and a little more Paul Bunyan style which gives you that sense of accomplishment and lets you tell your party guests that you chopped it down yourself. There are rows and rows of Scotch Pines, but they also carry some Concolor Firs, Blue Spruce, and White Pine. And their Facebook page says that all the trees are $40 regardless of size. That’s a bargain! They recommend tagging your tree early. You can check it out for yourself by going to https://www.facebook.com/frostyspines

Country Conifers

This is a lovely 5-acre farm located just south of Blair, Nebraska that’s been in business since 1990. They too are a full-service business that will cut down and load your tree. They charge $10 per foot which seems about par for the course and they have Concolor, Canaan, Douglas and Fraser firs. They also have a pretty little, red barn trimmed in white on the property that’s neat to take pictures in front of if you want to capture the moment. Their web site politely asks that you wear a mask but that shouldn’t stop you from smelling the fragrant pine needles. These folks are only open on weekends so check out their hours at https://countryconifers.com/hours

If you’re more adventurous and would like to make a day of it to explore on your own, you can find some more tree farms at the Nebraska Department of Agriculture web site https://nda.nebraska.gov/publications/promotion/christmas_trees/trees.html They have a cool interactive map listed by county that shows registered tree farms. Best of luck to you on your Christmas tree journey this year. Big or small, I hope you find the perfect one that speaks to you and looks amazing in your home.

For more information on the Priority Group or to read more of our blogs go to www.omahaprioritygroup.com

Decorating Your Thanksgiving Table

While meandering amongst all the local shops filled with holiday cheer, it occurred to me that I should make this challenging year an extra festive and thankful one at Thanksgiving. I decided to amp up my table design this year so that while we indulge in the deliciousness, we will be reminded that it’s up to us to make this an extra special get together. I decided to drop by my favorite place for some special tabletop treats, The Linen Gallery. There I found treasures such as table clothes, fabric napkins, table runners and, best of all, ideas for decorating the table.

What’s in the Middle?

Nothing anchors a table like a great centerpiece. You can go in so many directions with this one. Something funny like a great big handmade turkey, or a piece that has been handed down through your family like us (which we lovingly call the chicken-turkey), or a beautiful live or faux flower arrangement. It all depends on your style but don’t forget not to make it too tall so we can all see one another when we sit down to eat and, of course, talk.

Where Should I Sit?

It's a cute idea and a helpful one as well, to set out some place holders at each seat. People like having a little something special at their spot and if you are interested in social distancing, it’s a polite way to create some separation amongst your guests. I like to set out tiny pumpkins at each plate to step up the fun. I also love tiny, painted mason jars, each with their own flowers in them. People love to play with whatever you set out and have conversation about it. There are more formal place holders that you can add a name card to in order to mix everyone up and get folks to interact. Whichever you choose, they are an inexpensive way to create a new table seating dynamic.

Break Out the Good Stuff

Don’t forget that even if you have to hand wash them, now is the time to use the good china, fancy silverware and crystal you got for your wedding. The Linen Gallery has a beautiful assortment of colors for table linens as well. Go crazy with a set of matching table clothes and napkins or place mats. Or for just a splash of color, go for a table runner. Try some fall colors if you like a bit more traditional look or create something completely adorable like a farmhouse black and white table with just a tiny bit of mint thrown in there. My fav is navy. It’s the latest color trend still holding strong and makes a beautiful statement with white. Lastly, if you like a little bling, throw in some gold. Gold catches the eye and there’s tons to choose from like chargers, candle holders and ceramics.

Whichever style you choose for your table this year, remember it’s all about enjoying those around you. Our Priority Group team wishes you a healthy and prosperous Thanksgiving. Feel free to read more of our blogs and check out who we are at omahaprioritygroup.com.