November 14, 2017

Best Omaha Christmas Experiences {Giveaways}

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A few weeks ago, I shared the following list for a quick game of Omaha Holidays Never Have I Ever. It featured some of most unforgettable Omaha Christmas experiences and holiday traditions. Did you play along? (I got 1 point since I’ve never heard one of the holiday concerts at Joslyn Art Museum…I made up the list, so I guess it’s tilted in my favor.)

With Never Have I Ever, the fewer points the better. When I first shared this list, most people were getting 11 and 12 points.

 

I’ve created lists like this before (like this crazy popular one), and usually, people can brag about how many they’ve done on the list. But, for this list, most people commented saying they hadn’t done ANY of them…or maybe only one of them.

So, let’s fix that. Time to send some readers and their families (or friends) out to enjoy some of Omaha’s most unforgettable holiday experiences.

Omaha Christmast Experience Giveaway

You can enter all giveaways or just pick the ones that interest your family the most. Giveaways start at 7 a.m. on the days listed and winners will be drawn at about that time, as well. Good luck and may this be a holiday season you’ll never forget! Thank you to all the organizations listed below that provided the passes for these giveaways!

 

Win admission for 4 to The Durham Museum

The Durham Museum’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is Nov. 24, 2017. The largest indoor tree around is on display through Jan. 7, 2018. Photo courtesy The Durham Museum

Every year, The Durham Museum kicks off “Christmas at Union Station” with a huge event to light the enormous real tree in the lobby. It’s an unforgettable experience singing with hundreds of others and then joining in the countdown. Winner of this giveaway could use their pass to attend the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. (tree lighting will be around 7 p.m.), or visit another time. “Christmas at Union Station” runs through Jan. 7, 2018, and has quite a few special events throughout the season like nights where you can see Santa at the museum and the Ethnic Holiday Festival.

Giveaway begins: Nov. 14 (winner will be drawn and announced on Nov. 16)

Prize: Admission for four (4) to The Durham Museum

To enter: Visit Oh My! Omaha on Facebook and comment on the post specific to “Christmas at Union Station” for your chance to win admission for four to The Durham Museum!

 

Win 4 tickets to Omaha Community Playhouse’s “A Christmas Carol”

Jerry Longe plays Ebenezer Scrooge during his journey with the Ghost of Christmas Past. “A Christmas Carol” is at Omaha Community Playhouse through Dec. 23, 2017. Photo courtesy Omaha Community Playhouse

It’s safe to say that after four decades of presenting “A Christmas Carol” at Omaha Community Playhouse, it’s an Omaha tradition. Charles Dickens’ tale about Ebenezer Scrooge is truly a classic, and OCP has perfected it with exquisite costumes and sets, impressive effects and the great choreography. “A Christmas Carol” runs Nov. 17 through Dec. 23 at Omaha Community Playhouse. I’ve seen it a number of times and I’m pretty excited to take my son to his first performance this year. Stay tuned for my review!

Giveaway begins: Nov. 16 (winner will be drawn and announced on Nov. 18)

Prize: Four (4) tickets to see Omaha Community Playhouse’s “A Christmas Carol” on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.

To enter: Visit Oh My! Omaha on Facebook and comment on the post specific to “A Christmas Carol” for your chance to win four tickets to see this holiday classic at the Omaha Community Playhouse! Tickets may not be exchanged for a different performance.

 

Win 4 passes to Lauritzen Gardens’ Holiday Poinsettia Show

Laurtizen Garden’s Holiday Poinsettia Show runs Nov. 24, 2017 through Jan. 4, 2018. Photo courtesy Nebraska Tourism

Lauritzen Gardens displays thousands of poinsettias each year in its gorgeous Holiday Poinsettia Show inside the floral display hall. The 20-foot tall poinsettia tree is impressive for sure, and kids are certain to love watching the model train move around the display featuring miniature Omaha landmarks. Keep tabs on special holiday events planned through the season, or when you can see the Holiday Poinsettia Show AGLOW, here. The poinsettias are on display Nov. 24, 2017 through Jan. 4, 2018.

Giveaway begins: Nov. 20 (winner will be drawn and announced on Nov. 22)

Prize: Admission for four (4) to the Lauritzen Gardens

To enter: Visit Oh My! Omaha on Facebook and comment on the post specific to “Holiday Poinsettia Show” for your chance to win admission for four to Lauritzen Gardens!

 

Win 4 tickets to Ballet Nebraska’s “The Nutcracker”

Nebraska Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. the Arts Center at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs and Dec. 2 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater. “The Nutcracker” is an annual tradition and must be seen at least once! Set to one of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s most famous scores, it includes a cast of 130 professional and student dancers, and features lavish sets and more than 250 beautiful costumes.

Giveaway begins: Nov. 22 (winner will be drawn and announced on Nov. 24)

Prize: Four (4) tickets to see Ballet Nebraska’s “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

To enter: Visit Oh My! Omaha on Facebook and comment on the post specific to “The Nutcracker” for your chance to win four tickets to see this holiday classic at the Orpheum Theater! Tickets may not be exchanged for a different performance.

 

 

Win admission for 4 to Omaha Children’s Museum

“Santa’s Magic” runs Nov. 24 through Dec. 23 at Omaha Children’s Museum. Photo courtesy Omaha Children’s Museum

Full disclosure: I work at Omaha Children’s Museum. Omaha Children’s Museum has its annual holiday interactive show, “Santa’s Magic,” that runs Nov. 24 through Dec. 23. The show includes includes indoor snowfall (AKA, bubbles), which I’ve seen first-hand a number of times and it never gets old watching children delight in the magic. It’s also a pretty awe-inspiring experience for kids to have Santa call them by name to hear their wish list.  The show is included with admission.

Giveaway begins: Nov. 27 (winner will be drawn and announced on Nov. 29)

Prize: Admission for four (4) to the museum

To enter: Visit Oh My! Omaha on Facebook and comment on the post specific to “Santa’s Magic” for your chance to win admission for four to Omaha Children’s Museum!

 

Win 4 tickets to Omaha Symphony’s “Christmas Celebration”

Every year, Omaha Symphony presents a family-friendly holiday show called “Physicians Mutual Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration,” complete with soaring classic and contemporary Christmas songs (of course) and the always-memorable dancing Santas. Broadway singers join with conductor Ernest Richardson and the Omaha Symphony in the show. I’ve brought the kids to it before and I can affirm this show appeals across generations. “Christmas Celebration” is at the Holland Performing Arts Center Dec. 9-17.

Giveaway begins: Nov. 28 (winner will be drawn and announced on Nov. 30)

Prize: Four (4) tickets to Omaha’s Symphony’s “Christmas Celebration” on Friday, Dec. 15.

To enter: Visit Oh My! Omaha on Facebook and comment on the post specific to ” Omaha’s Symphony’s Christmas Celebration” for your chance to win four tickets to the Dec. 15 performance! Tickets may not be exchanged for a different performance.

 

There are dozens more holiday performances, shows and FREE activities around Omaha in 2017. See the Ultimate Omaha Holiday Events List for details.

 

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Filed Under: What To Do In Omaha Tagged With: ,
October 16, 2017

Forever Forest At Omaha Children’s Museum

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Omaha Children’s Museum had a sneak peek of its winter special exhibit, “Forever Forest,” last week. And it. Was. Awesome. It’s open now, so you can see it for yourself. There’s a giveaway at the end of this post to make your next visit FREE!

Ok, full disclosure, in addition to being a blogger here, I work at Omaha Children’s Museum. So, No. 1, last week wasn’t the first sneak peek of the exhibit for me. No. 2, I’m an employee there, so you know I’m biased.

But, it’s still awesome.

What to expect

From transportation to home construction, “Forever Forest” covers many areas where trees play a role in our lives.

“Forever Forest” is simply teaching families how we live, work and play thanks to trees. To do so, there is a part of the exhibit that reflects the forest, forest life, and recreation in the forest; then there’s the transportation of lumber and processing it into the everyday products we use. And finally, the real-life applications of what we use wood for.

Pretend fishing at Omaha Children’s Museum. The fish and poles have magnets on the ends.

There’s a lot packed into this space, and I envision a lot of time spent here on cold winter days.

What’s next for “Forever Forest”

Omaha Children’s Museum is taking “Forever Forest” on the road for its first-ever national touring exhibition. After Omaha, 2,000 square feet of the exhibit will begin a tour to other children’s museums, science centers and other cultural institutions for several years (likely, 10).

The termite colonies inside the “Forever Forest” exhibit at Omaha Children’s Museum. Kids can use a magnifying glass or camera to see the termites up close.

If you’re good at math and measuring, and have seen the museum’s upstairs exhibit space, you know that there is way more than 2,000 square feet up there. We’re lucky in Omaha, and have a lot more space than the typical museum has for a traveling exhibit. So, here in Omaha, you’ll see a lot more than what hits the road.

Some of the things unique to the Omaha exhibit:

– Climbable tree trunks donated by Fontenelle Forest (one has a verse etched into it by local artist, Watie White)

– Toddler space with a little playhouse

– Camp Cottonwood, where the museum’s education department will hold four different programs

– Termite display (way more fun for my kids than I expected)

– Kayaks and camping area with a pretend pond perfect for fishing.

And quite a bit more!

 

Forever Forest Giveaway

Want to see it yourself? Omaha Children’s Museum is providing a family four pack of passes for one reader to visit! To enter, just use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Giveaway ends Sunday, Oct. 29, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Must be 18 or older to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to see another new exhibit in Omaha? I’m giving away four passes to The Durham Museum, which just opened “Zoom Into Nano.” Enter the giveaway here (it ends Oct. 22, 2017, so don’t wait).

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Filed Under: What To Do In Omaha Tagged With: , ,
June 22, 2017

Customizing The Perfect Invitations At Basic Invite

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Basic Invite has solved two of my main gripes about ordering invitations online: Their customized orders are have nearly unlimited color choices and they make it easy to gather everyone’s addresses.

I wanted to share more about this company because they’re sponsoring a giveaway $50 to shop Basic Invite to one lucky Oh My! Omaha reader. Read on!

Colors Choice For Invitations

Cute Basic Invite Baby Invitations

Basic Invite offers 180 color options for their customizable cards.

I love ordering customizable invitations, but on other sites, the color choices are limited (or changing the color isn’t even an option). With Basic Invite, you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options. And you can see those changes with Instant Preview.

Plus, there are 40 different envelope colors. The days of white and off-white only are over.

Samples

Basic Invite Birthday Invitation

Customers have the option of ordering a sample invitation to see how their design looks before placing their final order.

Beyond customizing the colors, you can customize fonts. After all those customizations, you’re going want to make sure the cards look good. Basic Invite has the option of ordering a printed sample of your invitation. You can order your actual invitation to see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality.

I haven’t come across too many invitation sites that allow this.

Easy Address Collection

Gather addresses and send invitations effortlessly through Basic Invite.

Basic Invite makes it easy to request addresses. It’s just three steps: Share a link, collect addresses, and get free envelope printing. I have a friend who’s expecting her first baby, so collecting her family’s addresses this way would be so easy! Time to get some baby invite inspiration with these baby shower invitation ideas.

Don’t forget to order the matching thank you card for a baby shower and inexpensive birth announcements.

More About Basic Invite

Basic Invite has been designing custom stationery since 2006. It started out as a site to customization wedding invitations, and has grown to an all around stationery design company with products ranging from baby shower invites to birth announcements and even personal stationery products. All things wedding related – invitations, save-the-date cards, table place cards, and guestbooks – are very popular on the site. Basic Invite’s best-sellers are the gold, silver, and rose gold foil invites that are our best sellers. I love the look of the rose gold!

Win $50 to Basic Invite

Basic Invite is giving away $50 to an Oh My! Omaha reader! Not planning a wedding or having a baby? There are plenty of things to spend it on – business cards, Christmas cards, birthday parties, a variety of printable items…you’ll find something cute to buy.

Enter easily using the Rafflecopter entry form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must be 18 or older to enter. Deadline to enter is Sunday, July 9 at 11:59 p.m. CST. One random winner will be drawn within 48 hours and contacted via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before another name is drawn. Good luck!

 

Love giveaways?

Check the Giveaway Page to see more giveaways on Oh My! Omaha.

 

Stay in the know

Get more posts like this delivered straight to your inbox twice a month. Subscribe to the FREE e-newsletter sharing giveaways, new posts and updates to popular posts like this one! Subscribe here.

 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Basic Invite. 

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With:
April 17, 2017

Strider Bikes Lincoln Race On June 10

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I had a bike coach tell me his kids learned to bike using a balance bike. So I followed his lead and got one for my son.

Here’s how the balance bike works: Little ones learn to balance on a two-wheel balance bike and are able to progress easier to two-wheels with pedals, skipping the whole training wheel headache. That’s how it worked with Farley. We’re working on getting kid No. 2 to master the bike now.

Not a single bike ride with training wheels for these two.

Strider Bikes is a giant in the balance bike industry, selling more than 1.5 million bikes. They’re known for durability and high performance. They reached out to me to tell you about an upcoming balance bike race. I was all for this campaign because I love encouraging bike in Nebraska, and I’ve seen first-hand that balance bikes work…and now know not to settle for anything less than a Strider!

2017 STRIDER Cup Series

strider bike race lincoln

The Strider Cup Series race is in Lincoln, Neb., on June 10, 2017. Photo courtesy Strider Bikes

Do you have a kid who’s 5 years old or younger and a total champ on his or her Strider bike? Sign him or her up for the STRIDER Cup Series race in Lincoln, Neb., on June 10. Sounds totally cute and fun. There will even be an Adventure Zone riding area separate from the race where little ones can test out demo bikes (with helmets). It’s a place for children to try out a Strider Bike if they have one and play “in the zone.”

If you go

When: June 10, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (race start times vary for age groups and a special needs wave)

Where: Tower Square in downtown Lincoln, 1300 P St., Lincoln, Neb.

Cost: $25 (plus service fee), and includes a Strider jersey, number plate, and goodies

Register here (registration closes June 9)

** Be sure to check the race website for packet pick-up details and times

Now here’s Strider Bikes race nitty gritty: Genuine Strider Bikes are the only balance bikes allowed to race. You can find them at quality bike stores and online.

But I have great news for you…you can enter to win a Strider bike right here on the blog!

Strider Bikes Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to win a Strider Sport, just in time for the race! These bikes are easy to adjust so they’re good for both an itty bitty 18-month-old or sturdy 5-year-old. They’re a step up from the basic model, with a padded seat, foot rests, and mini-grips designed for tiny hands to have better control.

It’s really simple to enter. Enter through the Rafflecopter entry form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You must enter by 11:59 p.m. April 30. One winner will be randomly chosen within 48 hours – be on the lookout for an email! The winner will have 48 hours to respond before another entry is drawn. Must be 18 or older to enter and a resident of the United States. Prize is valued at $119.99.

Disclosure: I was compensated for writing this sponsored post by Strider Bikes. Opinions expressed are my own 

Filed Under: Nebraska Tagged With: , ,
February 20, 2017

Oliver Ridge Company & Quality Goods For Men

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It’s not often that I do a post just for guys, but I recently learned about a new Omaha company called Oliver Ridge Company, and I wanted to tell you all about it. Oliver Ridge is a new sponsor on the blog and I’m happy to have more “guy stuff” to talk about on the blog.

Oliver Ridge sells quality small batch goods for men. Since they’re just a few months old, their line of products consists of beard oil and beard balm, but there are plans to expand to up to six oils and balms by the end of the month, plus adding additional products soon.

I was clueless about what exactly beard oil and balm were used for, so I chatted with Brad Podrazo, CEO and owner/founder of Oliver Ridge. So essentially, Brad told me, the oil and balm contain nutrients that soften hair, as well as prevent dry skin, acne and irritation under the beard. As a bonus, the stuff smells good too. 

Most Popular Product

The most popular scent is Woodshop beard oil and balm. It’s got a cedar and pine scent to it, which sounds about as manly as it gets.

Mr. Wonderful doesn’t have a beard. Now that I think of it, I complained about his beard of yesteryear because I didn’t like how scratchy it was. Maybe he just needed beard oil?

Anyway.

Where To Find Olive Ridge

These products by Oliver Ridge sound like great gifts for the men in your life, don’t they? It’s the kind of thing, I imagine a lot of guys have never bought beard oil for themselves, and once they try it, they’ll wonder where it’s been all their lives.

You can find Oliver Ridge balms and oils at a couple local Omaha, Gretna and Lincoln stores, or you can order online (shipping is FREE!).

Tip: Oh My! Omaha readers can get 10% off their orders online now through March 6, 2017! Use promo code OHMYOMAHA10 at checkout.

Giveaway

Oliver Ridge is giving away one beard oil and one beard balm to one lucky reader! You get to choose the scent. It’s simple to enter! Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Must be 18 or older to enter, and winner must be in the continental U.S. Prize is valued at $44.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. on March 6, 2017. I will contact the winner within 48 hours. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the email before another name is drawn. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this sponsored post. All thoughts, words, and opinions expressed are my own. Oliver Ridge Co. provided the product for the giveaway. 

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With:
February 13, 2017

SkipTheDishes In Omaha {Giveaway}

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Do you guys know about SkipTheDishes? It’s a delivery service featuring a lot of restaurants who don’t typically deliver, including some of my favorite restaurants.

I never tried it until recently, when I was contacted by SkipTheDishes and they asked if I’d give it a go. What a great service!

Want to try it out? Oh My! Omaha readers can get 10% off their orders through March 31, 2017! Just use OHMYOMAHA10 at checkout. Keep reading for a giveaway!

 

What to know about SkipTheDishes

Why order delivery?

Let’s see. Are your kids wild cards when you eat out? Is it 9 degrees out? Are you so done with doing the dishes? Three very good reasons to have someone go fetch you good food.

If you feel like it, you do have the option of pick-up. I never feel like it.

 

Is it really local restaurants?

Yes, and they’re good ones! If you like ethnic foods, there are a lot represented. Restaurants serving up pizza, smoothies, falafel, ramen, subs, burgers…they’re all represented.

Want to dine in your fancy pants (ie., your nice PJs)? Order from Le Buillon or J. Coco.

We tried a new-to-us restaurant, Burrito Envy. If you try them, do yourself a favor, and get the dessert! Those little fried bites of cinnamon heaven topped with sea salt caramel make diet cheat nights worth it.

Got kids? Some of the local restaurants include some kids meal options, like Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob and Frank’s Pizzeria.

 

How much extra is delivery?

It depends on where you’re ordering from. Expect to pay between $2-$5.50.

 

How long does it take?

SkipTheDishes does a good job letting you know up-front how long deliveries will be as you browse the list. Delivery times are based on things like distance from your house, where couriers are, type of food, etc.

 

Was it easy?

Very. You need to register an account before you place an order. Then you look through the list of restaurants, find something tempting, order your meals, add the tip if you want, and then wait happily for delivery. You can place an order to be delivered “ASAP” or during a 30-minute window some other time.

 

Stalking time

You can “watch” your courier through the whole process via a GPS tracker on the website. This is particularly useful with children who ask “When is our food going to be here?” every 3 minutes.

 

Did you mess it up?

Of course. I didn’t finish the ordering process when I thought I had, so my window of delivery came and went. I had to reorder once I realized my mistake. I learned this obvious lesson:

Tip: You know your order has gone through when you get an email confirming it.

 

SkipTheDishes Omaha Discount

 

I want readers to try this service out, so SkipTheDishes is giving you 10% off orders through March 31, 2017! Just use OHMYOMAHA10 at checkout. Start drooling over browsing menus today here.

Giveaway

 

One lucky reader will receive $50 credit to SkipTheDishes! Use the easy Rafflecopter entry form below for your chance. Giveaway ends Sunday, Feb. 26, at 11:59 p.m.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must be 18 or older to enter. Giveaway ends Sunday, Feb. 26, at 11:59 p.m. One winner will be randomly selected through Rafflecopter and contacted via email within 48 hours. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. Good luck and happy eating!

 

 

Filed Under: Where To Eat In Omaha Tagged With: ,
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