Food

6 party prep tips from Lowes Foods (for a stress-free holiday)

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

A vegetable tray, meat and cheese tray, and sandwich tray with chicken salad croissants

From pre-made appetizers to festive recipes, let Lowes Foods help you with the prep work this holiday season. | Photo provided by Lowes Foods

‘Tis the season for entertaining, COLA. Looking to impress your dinner guests (with less prep + more merriment)? Enter: Lowes Foods.

Even if you have your very own Cousin Eddie on your hands, Lowes Foods makes it easy to get everything you need to have a stress-free holiday gathering.

Here are six hacks to take advantage of this busy season:

🧑‍🍳 Pick & Prep

Let Lowes Foods do the slicing and dicing for you at the in-store Pick & Prep station. It makes grabbing small amounts of fresh veggies and herbs easy — and you don’t have to worry about any knife mishaps.

⛄ Themed recipes

From Eggnog For Everyone and Winter Sangria to Candy Cane Cookies and Snow Cream (hey, one can wish…) — find festive holiday treats for the family to make together from Lowes Foods’ massive library of recipes.

🧀 Pre-made entertainment trays

Politely decline Aunt Mary’s homemade mayo board and opt for a professionally-arranged party tray or platter, ranging from cheese boards and chicken salad sandwich trays to caprese skewers (yum) and peel-and-eat-shrimp platters. Order online + pickup in-store.

A holiday cocktail topped with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary — *Whether you’ve been naughty or nice — enjoy a festive drink on ice.*

🍸 Holiday cocktails

Listen, you’re busy — a one-stop-shop is the way to go. Knock out the booze run by stopping by Knock Knock next to the Forest Acres store, then grabbing holiday beers from the Beer Den and a case of red from the Sunmill Wines section. Pro tip: Get into the spirit(s) by grabbing a beer from the Beer Den to sip *while* you do your holiday shopping.

🚗 Easy pick up

We know you forgot at least one thing on your list (because same). No worries, Lowes Foods To Go has you covered for easy pick up — shop online or through the app and then head to the store for curbside pickup, where the attendant will load your groceries into the car for you (Delivery is also available for an additional fee).

🍰 Don’t forget dessert

It’s not a party without dessert — and no, we’re not talking about that fruit cake your neighbor dropped off (what is in that thing, anyway?). Make the occasion sweeter (and easier on yourself) by pre-ordering a custom cake from The Cakery or picking up a pre-made pecan pie (it’s everyone’s fav for a reason).

Pro tip: Just showing up to the party? Don’t show up empty-handed — say thank you to the host by gifting them with a specialty Carolina Gift Box.*

GET PARTY PLANNING

This content was created in partnership with Lowes Foods and written by Michaela Leung.*

Affinity Healthcare dba Palmetto Primary Care

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Nov. 28

Holiday Lights on the River | Monday, Nov. 28-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park East, 6071 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia | Head to the holiday lights to sing along with the radio station that synchronizes with the holiday lights.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

Sweet Seasons | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 5-8 p.m. | Lowes Foods , 4711 Forest Dr., Columbia | Free | Enjoy live music, food + drinks, free entertainment for the kids like face painting, balloon artists, an appearance from Santa, and more at this annual tree lighting.*
University of South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball vs. UCLA Bruins Women’s Basketball | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St, Columbia | $12-$20 | The UCLA Bruins travel across the country to play No. 1 ranked USC.

Thursday, Dec. 1

First Thursday on Main | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 6-10 p.m. | Columbia | Celebrate beloved bygone dive bar The Whig with live music from Say Brother and The Moustache Brothers at this free event on Main Street.
A Christmas Story: The Musical Arrives at Town Theatre | Thursday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St., Columbia | $15-$25 | Capturing all the funny and heart-warming moments from the original holiday film, Town Theatre triple dog dare you to see this nostalgic show or you’ll be left saying, “ohhhh fuuudge.”
Holiday Market - Junior League of Columbia | Thursday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 4 | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | Thousands of shoppers head to the South Carolina State Fairgrounds to find the perfect gifts from nearly 170 merchants.
Holiday Planetarium Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 5-7 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St, Columbia | Holiday fun returns to the State Museum with extended operating hours, the planetarium’s “Winter Stars Live Sky” experience, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D,” crafts, local food truck + more.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

67º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain

Sports

The Gamecocks defeated the No. 7 ranked Clemson Tigers 31-30 on Saturday ending their 40-game home winning streak and bringing the Palmetto Bowl Trophy back to Columbia. Bowl matchups for both teams will be announced on Sun., Dec. 4. 🏈
Get the outdoor enthusiast in your life a gift that delivers year-round. The Sportsman’s Box is a quarterly gear subscription of personalized boxes that match your loved ones’ customized profile of hunting and fishing interests. Bonus: Use code for 6AMCITY for 25% off your first shipment. *

Biz

Three Oaks Florist and Interiors purchased the building at 1407 Elmwood Ave., near the entrance to the BullStreet District, which will triple its space and offer private parking. Renovations are underway, but no opening date has been announced for the flower shop + antique store. 💐

Environment

Did you feel that? A 2.0 magnitude earthquake shook the Midlands on Thanksgiving at 11:22 a.m. Researchers from USC + Georgia Tech recently placed 86 probes and a seismic station to study the swarm of earthquakes in the area over the past year. (The Post and Courier)

Community

Looking to get rid of your porch pumpkins? Check out these Midlands farms in search of pumpkin donations to feed livestock. The gourds are a natural dewormer and a favorite snack of pigs, cows, and goats. 🐐 (Cola Daily)

Outdoors

SC State Parks has launched the 2022 Dashing Through the Parks Scavenger Hunt, which runs now through Sunday, Jan. 1. Participants embark on 27 missions through an app (both in a park like Sesquicentennial State Park or from home) to earn points and prizes. See how to join the hunt.

Health

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*

Opening

What will Nephron Pharmaceuticals’ new Nephron Nitrile glove-making facility mean for the Midlands? Hundreds of jobs, 2.5 billion American-made gloves per year, and a supply chain resolution for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Learn more + see what all the buzz is about.*

Shop

Trying to find the perfect gift for that special someone who seems to already have it all? Check out Uncommon Goods — an online marketplace for unique and globally-sourced gifts. A few of our favorites include this personalized bamboo cheese board, pickleball paddle tote bag, and indoor s’mores fire pit. 🎁*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Saving money the cyber way

There’s still time to catch these deals. | Graphic provided by 6AM City

If you missed our Black Friday deals, you’re in luck because our online store Six & Main still has amazing savings just for you.

Shop up to 40% off gifts for the homebody, party host, pet lover, and adventurer in your life.

Take advantage of these deals:

$10 off when you spend $50
$30 off when you spend $100
$60 off when you spend $150

Oh, we’ve got more gifts…

SAVE + SHOP NOW

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: I had family in town for Thanksgiving and they stayed at Graduate Columbia, S.C., and absolutely loved it. Their room featured Cola-centric art like a photo of USC grad Chaz Bear performing with his band Toro y Moi and a painting of Darius Rucker. It’s a perfect place to stay to explore the Soda City located within walking distance of Five Points and the Main Street District.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Check out a special offer for you, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith| Advertise with us.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY