It’s a goal of many in New York to throw an awe inducing party, particularly around the holidays. This is a considerable challenge since Manhattaners walk by thing like the 40-foot Rockefeller Center Christmas tree without looking up from their Blackberry and don’t even gawk at public urination.
Impressing people is difficult.
So when my friend and coveted New York PR rep Jane Lerman told me she was throwing the ultimate holiday party at a private residence in SoHo, I expected things like an open bar, some sexy version of Santa and maybe an elf with a catering tray. Instead, she brought a whole new meaning to the words ‘Holiday Party.’ The event also doubled as the PR mogulette’s birthday.
Observe:
First, Jane’s self-owned public relations firm L.E.R. PR chose the theme “Naughty or Nice.”
Nice because guests participated in the New York Cares’ 20th Annual Coat Drive.
Naughty because the party was also sponsored by Patron.
As if Patron’s basic sponsorship was not enough, they also showcased an ice sculpture-hybrid-fountain and a specialized drink menu just for Jane’s party with Holiday beverages like ‘The Naughty,’ ‘The Nice,’ ‘Rudolf’s Reward,’ and ‘The Polar Espresso.’

Yet what’s the ultimate New York holiday shindig without socialites and celebrities? Well, the cast of MTV’s “The City” (Whitney’s New York spin off of ‘The Hills’ for people lucky enough not to know these things) dropped by to stir up some probably pre-written drama which will unfold on the show in the coming months.
More about the experience of being at a house party simultaneously being used as a reality TV set at a later date. The short version is that cameraman and camera cables provide a large array of additional things to trip on and producers watching everything via monitors take up the second, needed, bathroom.
In addition to immediate champagne offering the minute you stepped out of the elevator, there were candy cane dancers.
Hors d’eurves provided by Whole Foods gourmet for people who skipped dinner or needed to sober up.
And a gift bag filled with free products and services from Caudalie, HINT Water, Cutler Salon, Shobha, Eleni’s Cookies, Artisanal restaurant, Townhouse Spa, Completely Bare, Sally Hershberger, and Marie Belle Chocolates.
In short, more items than I’ll most likely receive from all my friends and family on Christmas Day.
A party that successfully impressed?
Absolutely.
In fact, I’d like to stake out claim and permanently take up residence in this party as it had pretty much everything most people need to survive: music, live entertainment, tons of yummy food, celebrities to make fun of and copious amounts of alcohol. Sometimes, a Go Go dancer is a candycane suit is just what you need to make it through the Holidays.
Party Credits:
Private Residence of Adam Hicks
Gift Bags by Eve Gurevich
Cocktail Consultant Kevin Patricio














December 22nd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Swanky. Did the chick from The Hills actually get involved with the party, or was she too busy having falsified, pre-scripted conversations with the camera?
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 am
The City, ugh, how horrifying. I too have been haunted by the known existence of this show, because the production management team used to sit around me on all sides at our old MTV office.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:54 am
@Consumerista: Yes, too busy having falsified, pre-scripted conversations with the camera
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I happened to be in the same bar as the cast of The City this summer and it was so awkward - half the room was roped off for the 3 people on camera, and there were 300 people on the other half trying to jump over the camera men to get a glimpse of what was going on! It’ll be funny to see it on the show when they make the night out to be all exclusive and glamorous after they’ve cropped out the hundreds of ridiculous drunk fans
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
I feel like The City is always filming everywhere… and always handing out those little release forms to sign!!