Regardless of whatever the impetus behind one’s host/ess’ raison de fête might be, this season, I refer you to a particularly witty episode of Two and a Half Men, wherein Holland Taylor (as mother ‘Evelyn Harper’) shares her insight thusly: “Why does anyone want a party?  To feel superior while feigning humility!”  Well, be that as it may, the forces that whipped together the three celebrations I attended on Saturday have much about which to feel superior.

The second annual Santa Tea to benefit Communities In Schools of Nevada was a delight.  If ever a modern-day Willy Wonka was there for the kids of Las Vegas, it's Chef Kerry Simon whose namesake restaurant at Palms Place played host, once more. Jacob and I took our nephew, Eli, who – while refusing adamantly to deign Santa with a visit – decorated two Gingerbread Men.  Jacob’s cookie turned-out great (mine was so-so), and I took Eli’s place on Santa’s lap (poor Santa…). 

That night, while I drove myself halfway around the Valley to attend a pair of holiday soirees, Jacob got to work wrapping presents (his choice). 

The first, at the new home of Diana Bennett was playing double-duty, both as the annual holiday party thrown by Diana and her cousin, Scott Menke, and also as her housewarming.  After my ears popped, the second time, I thought “It’ll be nice to see how the other half of a half of a half of a half of a half of a percent lives!”  Casa Bennett didn’t disappoint, and is a truly tasteful example of creating intimacy in an opulently large space.  As I stepped out of my car, the valet kindly directed me as follows: “Take a left at the carolers then on down the red carpet.”  The party was fab and, if I’m not mistaken, was a Dawn Hume joint – her first as a solo artist (and trust me folks – it’s an art!).  In a super-high-tech display of haute hostessing, guests were asked to pose in front of The Tree; at which time a memory-card was dashed off (by elves, one must assume) to a printer in “the back” where the fresh photo was placed in a Lucite frame, and delivered to that guest upon departure.  I like it.  A little piece of me I can take with me to remind me of me (and you, of course).

But I wasn’t able to stay long, because from high above Henderson I zipped (at a responsible speed) back up the 215, onto the 15, and into the Scotch 80s neighborhood, for the annual Mc-Squared Holiday Party – so-called due to the prefixes of the last names of its hosts, Michael McGraw and Sean McClenahan – in the hosts’ painfully chic home.  The only things cooler than the mix of mid-century modern décor and contemporary art and furnishings – the editors hipsters, artists, gallerists, salon owners, and the like who make-up the Downtown demimonde (not to mention the Mc-Squareds’ invitation list).    

So, where did the two bottles of Dom Pérignon play into this?  Hello!  People!  I had two parties to attend.  You didn’t think I’d be showing-up empty-handed.  Did you?  Oy vay iz mir!

Holiday Parties

Get into it!