Larchmont Chronicle Story Archive

Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

November 2, 2007

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

Laura Eversz

With an incredible selection of merchandise at their fingertips, it’s no wonder PartyPaperLife proprietors Thom Macias and James Pepper are known for their entertaining style.

The pair opened their party supply shop in 1992, and the store on La Cienega has since grown to include cards, novelties, toys and nostalgic candy, as well as gift and giftwrap departments, and a baby boutique.

But according to Macias, you don’t have to own a party store—or spend a lot of money—to create a beautiful holiday table.

He set out to prove it by assembling a Thanksgiving buffet table at the Larchmont Village home he shares with Pepper and their son Adam.

“We are so lucky to live in Southern California,” he said, as he clipped orange canna lilies, brown velvet roses, rose hips, milkweed and lantana from the garden that overflows the parkway next to his craftsman home on Ridgewood Place.

As Macias began arranging the cuttings in a tall wooden vase on the porch steps, four-year-old Adam collected red and gold leaves from beneath a towering liquid amber tree in the front yard. “Kids love to help,” said Macias.

Inside, Adam again lends a hand as his dad arranges baking pans on the dining room table. “I drape the tablecloth over the pans to give the buffet table some depth and dimension instead of laying all the serving pieces flat,” Macias explains.

Next, he strews squash, pumpkins, small loaves of bread, Indian corn and apples from around the vase of garden cuttings that makes a beautiful focal point to the table. And Adam, eager to help, sprinkles on a “confetti” of leaves and nuts.

Observing Macias—who makes it look so easy—is making a believer out of me.

“It’s more about setting the mood than setting the table,” he tells me. “The key is to keep it simple. You don’t need to buy an expensive flower arrangement. Just go out into your yard and see what’s there… go to the grocery store or Farmer’s Market.

“I love Thanksgiving because it’s one of those occasions when you bring out the fine china and silver,” Macias says as he places an array of serving pieces on the buffet.

“But don’t be afraid to mix in paper tableware,” he adds. “There are so many beautiful patterns to choose from… you can even use giftwrap as a table runner, or drape it over your buffet table. And, adds Macias with a wink, “It’s all available at PartyPaperLife.”

Less than 30 minutes later, the buffet table is ready—and beautiful. And, says Macias, pointing to his creation, “I spent less than $15 for all this stuff.”

PartyPaperLife, 350 S. LaCienega Blvd., 310-659-8717, partypaperlife.com

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

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Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.