Time to Plan Your Holiday Parties in Downtown Elgin

‘Tis the season. Yes, already.

I wouldn’t believe it myself if I hadn’t seen the city workers putting up holiday decorations around Downtown this week.

Though the holidays seem to come earlier every year, to tell you the truth, we could use a little holiday cheer about now in Downtown Elgin.

This phase of construction has been especially tough for our downtown businesses. The flying dust, barricades and slow moving traffic are deterring people from coming Downtown. The economic detours certainly aren’t helping either.

But, in a couple of weeks, the construction workers will go into hibernation and Downtown will be quiet for the winter.

So start planning your Downtown holiday adventures now. Whether you are throwing a big holiday shindig or a small holiday get together, our downtown restaurants and shops are great places to host a party.

Here are a couple of ideas to help you plan the perfect holiday party in Downtown:

(1) The Girls’ Night Out Holiday Party
How does a night of manis, pedis, lattes and shopping sound? Get the girls together and make a night of it with Jeri, Nell and Vicki, the owners of Salon Couture and Ravenheart Coffee on E. Chicago St. and Lily Falls Gift Boutique on Douglas Ave. These ladies are a riot, so you are sure to have a great time.

(2) The Book Club Holiday Party
Invite your book club to curl up with a good book and a warm coffee drink at Elgin Books on E. Chicago St. Gloria and Herminda will make you feel right at home in their quaint little shop. They often bring in local authors for talks and book signings, which would make for a cozy and memorable holiday gathering.

(3) The Big Game Holiday Party
Ok guys, now I know party planning is not really in your genetic make-up, so I’m going to make it easy on you. Step 1: Call your buddies and tell them to meet you at Mad Maggie’s on S. Grove Ave. Step 2: Arrive before your buddies and order a bucket of beers. Having cold beers ready to go when they arrive is good party host etiquette. That’s it. Though I haven’t formally counted, I think there’s something like 103 big screen TVs in that place. Elgin Public House on E. Chicago St. and Gasthaus Zur Linde are also great places to catch the game and awkwardly exchange gifts, as you guys tend to do.

(4) The Club Scene Holiday PartyWho wants to schlock through the Downtown Chicago sleet and snow to go to a club? Not to mention you’ve spent a hundred bucks for parking and cabs before you’ve even stepped foot on the dance floor. Medusa’s (formerly The Mission) has a really cool airplane-themed floor of its club on E. Chicago St. And despite what you may have heard, Medusa’s has much to offer than its teen club reputation implies.

(5) The Big Family Holiday Party
I’m Italian. My husband is Mexican. Needless to say, we have a big family. If you’re like us and need a place with a lot of space and comfort food “like Momma used to make” try La Quebrada Restaurant and Banquets on Highland Ave. They serve authentic Mexican food and have all the amenities of a banquet facility.

These are just a few ideas to get the wheels turning on your holiday planning. There are lots of other restaurants and shops in Downtown that offer unique experiences that people won’t soon forget. We at the DNA are pretty good at throwing parties, so if you need some ideas, give us a call.