The thing that’s great about New Year’s Eve is all of Nashville out on the town together, everyone living it up. The thing that isn’t so great about New Year’s Eve is being out on the road, making my way home with everyone who’s living it up a little too much.

This year I’m staying put. Not at home, that’s a little too tame for me. You’ll find me right here at the finest Nashville airport hotel, safe and sound. If you decide to follow my lead, you’ll take advantage of Hotel Preston’s New Year’s Eve deal. First you’ll hit the party at the Pink Slip Lounge, later have a glass of midnight bubbly, wake up to a great breakfast (the New Year’s deal includes a  $25 food and bev credit), and if you had just a little too good of a time, there’s a hangover kit (aspirin, Alka Seltzer, vitamin C, etc.) at the ready. Cheers!

Dane

After the gifts are unwrapped and the Christmas dinner dishes are done, the rest of the day can feel like a letdown, right? Not if all the family wraps up in all those new knit scarves and hats (I got three sets of gloves last year) and heads down to LP field to see the Titans play the Chargers. Buy tickets!

Even if not everyone in your family is a ball fan, you gotta get out of the house and do something on Christmas, especially if you’ve got out-of-towners. And, let’s face it, Jeff Fisher and his Titans may not quite have coal in their stockings, but they will have to deal with the AFC West powerhouse Chargers, and they need our support. So get out there and pray, for a victory that is.

Dane

You know, when you grow up someplace, and something is so familiar, you can’t believe everyone doesn’t know about it? Like Seattle and grunge. Or, New Orleans and po boys. Well, until recently I thought everyone knew what “meat ‘n’ three” meant. So here’s the obvious explanation—your choice of meat and three sides, and Nashville’s the place to get it. Here are some of my favorites:

I go to Arnold’s Country Kitchen for their fried chicken, and in futile hope of running into any one of the Dixie Chicks. (Just when do they go there? Never when I’m there.) If you’re looking for a great milkshake, Elliston Place Soda Shop’s your spot. And if you’ve got the appetite for all-you-can eat, family style, check out Monell’s.

And, by the way—what the heck is a stumptown, anyway?

Dane

After a long, exhausting shopping day at the mall, don’t you think you deserve a little fun? This season, Nashville’s historic Belcourt Theater, in Hillsboro Village, will be showing two great holiday flicks. They might not both be your cup of tea, but one or the other will probably pique your interest.

On December 3, the Belcourt will be hosting a special event, a screening of the modern Christmas classic, The Polar Express. The night is a benefit sponsored by Crye-Leike Real Estate with all proceeds going to Camp Hope. Tickets include dinner and a silent auction and children are welcome.

On the entirely other side of the spectrum, on December 19 & 20, the theater will screen Black Christmas, about yuletide horror at a sorority house. Hey, it’s the season of giving and the Belcourt offers something for everyone.

Happy viewing,
Dane