Entertain Like the Stars

Throw a party like the stars. We caught up with celebrity event stylist Mark Addison to find out the secrets for entertaining like the stars. As the founder of EventStyle, a New York based event-planning company, Mark's work has appeared everywhere from America's Next Top Model to The Apprentice, and he's had the good fortune to work with celebrities like includes Drew Barrymore, Antonio Banderas and Kelly Ripa. Here are his tips:

1. Give back. Forget over-the-top events of yore, like P. Diddy's White Ball, Mark says the new trend are parties that give back. While you certainly wouldn't charge your guests a mandatory donation for dinner, there are ways to be charitable. Ask a local charity what its needs are (i.e. clothing, canned goods, school supplies, etc.), and encourage guests to bring these items with them when you send out invitations.

2. Embrace your heritage. Don't shy away from traditional family recipes. According to Mark, actor Antonio Banderas loves to incorporate the Spanish cuisine of his roots like tapas, tortillas and other delicious Catalan treats into the menus his charitable events.

3. Make it a family affair. As one of the hosts of the annual Hamptons' Super Saturday fundraiser, Kelly Ripa always makes sure that there are family friendly events and treats -- Mark even managed to get Pinkberry to dole out fro-yo at this year's event since Kelly likes it so much!

4. Bring back the potluck. A Park Avenue socialite recently hired Mark to organize a high-end potluck for herself and her friends. Guests brought their favorite dishes to the event. Mark says the resurgence of the potluck plays into a general trend towards a greater feeling of community and interaction.

5. Make your own. These days, white-gloved, catered affairs seem awfully stuffy. At a recent event for to benefit More Gardens, Mark ditched the usual staffed bar for a make-your-own sparkling wine bar, where party-goers could make drinks like an exotic bellini infused with hibiscus syrup, rose water and orange blossom water.


6. Host it at home. This New Year's Eve Mark says it's all about a homey approach and bringing family and friends together. For his own celebration, Mark plans to make a traditional pot of black-eyed peas (rumored to bring good luck in the new year).

7. Recycle. Mark says that recycling is a growing trend. Celebrities and socialites alike are concerned with entertaining in a manner that is earth-friendly. Recycling also adds up to savings, which everyone appreciates in the current economy.

8. Relax the rules. At a recent premier for It's Complicated, Mark noted that there were no defined VIP areas, instead celebrities mixed with guests in a low-key, casual way. Take a cue from Meryl and Alec and take it easy this year.

9. Appetizers as entrée. "I love canapés," says Mark, "If you can make a meal completely out of hors d'oeuvres that is the best thing ever." You don't need to serve foie gras and caviar. Mark recommends making pinwheels with flat breads and prepared spreads or a table filled with ready-to-go goodies like olives, breads, spreads, dips and vegetables.

10. Get inspired. Mark says that when he creates his celebrity-studded events, he takes inspiration from fashion runways, store windows, films -- just about any visual cue can be translated for entertaining.