Host The Perfect Holiday Party

Find What You Need To Get The Job Done Right

David Lee Shopping

For casual get-togethers, start your shopping at Partylab in Palm Springs. This impressive emporium offers color-coordinated paper and plastic plates, cups, utensils, and napkins. Add a dash of whimsy with foil or latex balloons or pick up a premade or do-it-yourself table centerpiece. If your guest list needs a little spicing up, include some famous faces with life-size cardboard cutouts of your favorite celebrities. Who wouldn’t want to groove with Elvis, Marilyn, Justin Bieber, or Liberace?
By David A. Lee

As desert temperatures drop, thoughts turn to indoor entertaining. The holidays provide ample opportunities to celebrate, from informal chili parties to elegant New Year’s Eve soirées.

For casual get-togethers, start your shopping at Partylab in Palm Springs. This impressive emporium offers color-coordinated paper and plastic plates, cups, utensils, and napkins. Add a dash of whimsy with foil or latex balloons or pick up a premade or do-it-yourself table centerpiece. If your guest list needs a little spicing up, include some famous faces with life-size cardboard cutouts of your favorite celebrities. Who wouldn’t want to groove with Elvis, Marilyn, Justin Bieber, or Liberace?

Savvy shoppers know a good thing when they walk into Flow Modern Design in Palm Springs Uptown Design District. Purchase some vintage home furnishings and accessories, with an emphasis on cocktail culture, and be the envy of your friends. Shake up creative elixirs from a midcentury-styled bar cart. Enhance your entertaining with a Fifth Avenue “Knightsbridge” ice bucket or a classic bucket from the old I. Magnin, a Steve Chase-inspired brass cart, a set of gold-leafed Culver glasses, or a 1950s spritzer bottle.  

Flow Modern Design also boasts an extensive collection of vintage jewelry. Carefully sourced necklaces, cuffs, and rings may include chunky Givenchy chain necklaces from the ’60s; Brutalist cuffs from the ’70s; chic natural pieces inlaid with horn, jade, bone, and brass; and one-of-a-kind modern architectural jewelry from     silversmith Heidi Abrahamson.
Pop into Between the Sheets on El Paseo for new napkins and tablecloths in festive holiday colors or to stock up on your favorite guest soaps for the powder room. Peruse the store’s beautiful selection of china. Consider upgrading or adding to your dining service with Juliska’s Classic Bamboo pattern or the beautiful Berry & Thread design. If you’re bringing a gift for that special hostess, consider items that include salad servers, cocktail forks and knives, or an elegant cheese-service set.

Be on time for your own (or anybody else’s) party with the help of a stylish wristwatch from Leeds & Son Fine Jewelers on El Paseo. Choices abound, with sporty and casual timepieces from the TW Steel Collection to more exclusive items, such as the Rolex Lady-Datejust Pearlmaster in Everose gold and diamonds or a Corum Golden Bridge in 18K red gold. When you really want to dress to impress, Leeds & Son can also source exquisite and rare vintage watches.  

Before the first guest arrives, set the mood with music. Greetings in Palm Springs offers a wide selection of CDs to create the perfect ambiance. Whether it’s smooth jazz, Brazilian bossa nova, light classical, or Putumayo’s great collection of international music, you’re sure to find the right tunes. Standards by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, and similar artists make any gathering an homage to the midcentury modern vibe. Or liven up the night with Greetings’ choices of contemporary artists, such as Adele, Lady Gaga, Bonnie Raitt, John Mayer, or Barbra Streisand, and check out best-sellers Pink Martini Holiday and A Jazz & Blues Christmas by Putumayo.  

The right aroma brings added pleasure to any party. Scent the air with gently perfumed candles from Gracie’s Emporium in La Quinta, which offers a fine selection of Tyler’s Candles to suit myriad olfactory tastes. Then check out the assortment of women’s and men’s accessories for any last-minute additions to your outfit. You may even find a small piece of art or an amazing antique to complement your party décor.

Appearance is everything while entertaining. For a fun, hip, and happening party wardrobe, head to Wil Stiles in Palm Springs Uptown Design District. Men’s sporty clothes include Michael David’s red print shirt imported from Turkey or shirts by Toronto-based designer Jared Lang, with detailed collars and plackets. Women will love the silver and black Double Zero Dress with a Sobral clear and black necklace. Top it off with a Three Sisters silver and black jacket.

Known for chic style and impeccable taste, Saks Fifth Avenue in The Gardens on El Paseo is the go-to retailer when it comes to dressing up for the season. A full range of designer gowns, cocktail dresses, and formal attire is available. Dolce & Gabbana’s teal lace evening gown will have both friends and enemies green with envy.  And Stella McCartney’s black cocktail dress is suitable for a variety of occasions. Men will look dashing in the modern fit “Stars 75” tuxedo by Hugo Boss — with or without a tie — as well as in any item from the full Boss collection of relaxed formal jackets and suiting.  

Once every detail has been attended to and every hair is in place, embrace the warm feeling of spending quality time with friends and loved ones.

Party Headquarters

Between The Sheets
73425 El Paseo, Palm Desert.
760-779-8500; www.betweenthesheetsinc.com

Flow Modern Design
768 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
760-322-0768; www.flowmoderndesign.com

Gracie’s Emporium
78100 Main St., La Quinta. 760-565-5512; www.graciesemporium.com

Greetings
301 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
760-322-5049; www.greetingspalmsprings.com

Leeds & Son Fine Jewelers
73670 El Paseo, Palm Desert.
760-568-5266; www.leedsandson.com

PartyLab
383 N. Indian Canyon Dr.,Palm Springs.
760-832-6951; www.shoppartylab.com

Saks Fifth Avenue
73555 El Paseo, Palm Desert.
760-837-2900; www.saksfifthavenue.com

Wil Stiles
875 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
760-327-9764; www.wilstiles.com

THE SCENTS OF SUCCESS

You’ve put together a memorable party — from tableware to music to holiday outfits. Top it off by wearing a fabulous new scent. The hostess will make a lasting impression and electrify any event wearing Jimmy Choo limited holiday edition parfum. Sophisticated and sexy, Jimmy Choo initially seduces with tiger orchid combined with candied orange, followed by cypress and caramel, with bottom notes of sandalwood, patchouli, and amber. For the host who prefers things shaken not stirred, James Bond 007 fragrance is boldly masculine. Sensual vetyver, apple, and sandalwood blend to create a virile scent that is opulent, stylish, and classic.