No family plans for Christmas? Some suggestions

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BY MICAH MERTES / Lincoln Journal Star

While most of us will spend Christmas Day with our friends and families, some can’t make it home, or at least won’t have anything to do for the holiday.

And though most Lincoln businesses will be closed Tuesday, there are a handful of options available for you and your other lonely friends, besides just staying home and watching “A Christmas Story” on its 24-hour TBS loop.

Here’s our suggestion for a perfect Christmas day in Lincoln, either spent alone or with an impromptu family of your own making.

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The Douglas Theaters will be open on Christmas Day, which makes catching up on movie-watching a good option if you're stuck in Lincoln for the holiday. (File photo)

The Douglas Theaters will be open on Christmas Day, which makes catching up on movie-watching a good option if you're stuck in Lincoln for the holiday. (File photo)

10 a.m.: Wake up

Unless you’re off to church or brunch, don’t get up any earlier than 10. You rarely get a Tuesday off work, so bask in the sweetness of unplugging your alarm clock and not looking at your co-workers’ angry little faces.

If you are worried about waking, you can always call Lincoln’s Executive Answering Service, which offers a wake-up call service. They promise they’ll be available today. Call 476-2731 if interested.

10:30 a.m.: Walk

Assuming the city trails aren’t too ice- or snow-packed, a nice, brisk morning walk, jog or bike ride around Lincoln will be a terrific way to start your marathon of solitude.

Or if you have a canine companion, take him or her to Tierra Park or the dog park near Holmes Lake.

11 a.m.: Nourishment

About now, you’re probably craving that scone and latte you would have normally ingested three hours ago. This is going to be tricky, as most of the coffeehouses are closed, but there’s at least one open: the south Starbucks, 27th Street and Pine Lake Road, will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other Starbucks and downtown coffee joints are closed, according to employees.

If you were one of the livid Lincolnites picketing the Starbuckses when they opened, you could try one of the many 24-hour gas stations. Their coffee might not be gourmet, but it’ll serve its purpose.

Noon: Video store

The Blockbusters and Hollywood Videos of Lincoln will be open for limited hours on Christmas day.

Blockbusters will be open from noon to 10 p.m.; Hollywood Videos, from noon to 11 p.m.

Some movie recommendations: If you haven’t yet seen the new-to-DVD “Stardust,” “The Bourne Ultimatum” or “The Simpsons Movie,” those would be some agreeable choices. And if you’re in a romantic mood, try the Irish indie musical, “Once.”

2:30 p.m.: More outdoors stuff

You’ve just spent the last two hours on your couch watching a movie. It’s time to get back outside. According to forecasts, there’ll most likely be snow or ice on the ground, so it’s prime time for a sled run at Pioneers Park or Wilderness Park. Now, as some of our news staff recently discovered, it’s downright impossible to buy a sled this time of year — and most stores are closed on Christmas anyway. So if you don’t already own one, I recommend getting creative. Old car hoods and trash can tops make optimum makeshift sleds. However, I take no responsibility for any subsequent injuries. If you hurt yourself, you just weren’t doing it right.

4 p.m.: “Dunch” (Lunch-Dinner)

You’ve burned off the 1,500 calories of that cinnamon raisin bagel, and now it’s time to eat again. Unless you already stocked up on food at home, you’re probably out of luck. Target, Wal-Mart and Russ’s Market all will be closed for the day.

One option for groceries, or even last-minute Christmas gifts, is Walgreens Drug Stores. Store hours for the day are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, their pharmacies will be closed except for the 24-hour one at 17th and South streets.

If you want to dine out or order take out, Chinese food is the way to go.

At least five Chinese restaurants will serve lunch and dinner on Christmas day:

- Great Wall, 850 N. 70th St. and 5701 N.W. First St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

- Gourmet China Buffet, 5130 N. 27th St. Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

- Shanghai Palace, 3239 S. 13th St. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

- Zhang’s, 1550 S. Coddington Ave. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

5 p.m.: Laundry

The LaunDRY Lands are closed, but you can head over to Havelock Laundromat, 6025 Havelock Ave., which is open 365 days a year. There’s something inherently soul-crushing about doing laundry on Christmas Day, so if you’re already leaning toward seasonal depression, this should be avoided. Just go sledding again during this time.

7 p.m.: Cinema

Your first block of Christmas night should be spent at the movies. And, thank goodness, the four Douglas Theatres will hold screenings all day.

If you’re looking for something brand new, Dec. 25 will mark the first-day openings of three films: the family-friendly Loch Ness adventure “Water Horse: Legend of the Deep”; Denzel Washington’s drama about a real-life debate team overcoming racism, “The Great Debaters”; or the epic sci-fi sequel “Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem.”

Also relatively new to Lincoln: Nic Cage reprises his role as Benjamin Franklin Gates in “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”; Hilary Swank is stalked by her dead Irish boyfriend in the romantic comedy “P.S., I Love You”; Johnny Depp sings and slits throats in Tim Burton’s “Sweeney Todd”; John C. Reilly spoofs the music bio in “Walk Hard”; and Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts goof it up in the political dramedy “Charlie Wilson’s War.”

Ergo, whatever your tastes, you’ll most likely find something you’d enjoy at the multiplex.

Note: Buy your ticket earlier in the day. Movie theaters are always packed on Christmas night.

9 p.m.: Powernap

You’ve got a long night ahead of you.

10 p.m.: The bars

Oh, where to begin?

A host of establishments will open their doors for the night, many downtown.

Duffy’s Tavern, O’Rourke’s Tavern and Woody’s Pub all will be open until normal closing time. On the other side of town, The Cellar, 6913 O St., will open at 10 p.m. and Libations, Too, 5310 S. 56th St., will be open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

And there’s of course the annual Christmas night bash at Zoo Bar, featuring the tunes of musician Magic Slim. Zoo Bar will be open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., with Magic Slim taking the stage around 9:30.

1 a.m.: (a) Walk home or (b) Go to Adult Book & Cinema X, 921 O St., open 24 hours a day

Hey, you’re lonely.

Note: This list of businesses is by no means exhaustive. Other establishments we’ve not mentioned might be in service on Christmas day, and if you want to know if your favorite bar, restaurant or coffee shop is open, just call. You never know.

Also, a personal thanks to all the baristas, video store clerks, cooks, servers, ticket takers, bouncers, bartenders and wake-up callers who have to work on Christmas. For all of us who need something to do for the holidays, your plight makes this perfect day possible.

Reach Micah Mertes at 473-7395 or mmertes@journalstar.com.