On Saturday, December 19, pick up snacks and last-minute supplies at Martin’s Super Market in Granger; allow 30–45 minutes, and check the store’s holiday-weekend hours before setting out. Then head to Rocky River Tap and Table for an unhurried lunch—budget about an hour and roughly $15–30 per person. The two stops are close by car, but leave a little slack for shopping and the drive to the hotel.
Check in at Holiday Inn Express & Suites South Bend – Notre Dame Univ. near Granger, then plan to begin the gathering around 2:30 p.m. Confirm in advance that the hotel permits a party, and ask about guest limits, noise rules, outside food, and whether you need to reserve a meeting room; a guest room may not be suitable for a group. Keep the hotel’s parking and check-in arrangements in mind as guests arrive, and make clear that the celebration is intended to continue overnight.
Have breakfast together in the hotel breakfast area before the planned 11 a.m. end time on Sunday, December 20. Breakfast is often included at this property, but confirm it with your booking and check the serving hours with the front desk—the breakfast area may close before 11. Guests who need to leave earlier can do so, while anyone staying through the end should follow the hotel’s checkout time and arrange any extra time with staff.
After checking out, head to Potawatomi Conservatories in South Bend for an easy hour among the tropical plants and desert displays—a welcome warm-up on a December morning. Check the conservatories’ current Sunday hours and admission before leaving Granger; holiday-season schedules can differ. Allow roughly 15–25 minutes to drive there, depending on your hotel and traffic, and leave time to park.
Continue downtown to PEGGS for brunch, budgeting about an hour and roughly $15–25 per person before drinks and tip. It’s a popular breakfast spot, so a short wait is possible; confirm its Sunday service hours, especially this close to Christmas. Then walk or drive a few minutes to the Studebaker National Museum. Set aside 1½–2 hours for the cars and regional history, and check Sunday hours, admission prices, and any holiday closures before you go.
Finish at Howard Park, about a 5–10-minute drive from the museum or a longer walk if the weather is pleasant. Give yourselves 45–60 minutes for the river walk and plaza; the skating area and other seasonal offerings depend on the day’s conditions and schedule, so check ahead if you’re hoping to skate. Bundle up, and keep the stroll flexible if the paths are icy.
No packing list attached yet.