Eat, Drink and Thank Mary

Social Climes has been besieged by invitations to movie premieres in the last few weeks as the big Christmas films debut. “Hoffa,” “Toys,” “The Bodyguard,” “Chaplin,” “A Few Good Men,” “Used People,” “Leap of Faith,” “Forever Young,” “Peter’s Friends,” “Love Field,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Damage” have all had opening parties, making us feel very popular but also very exhausted.

Also exhausted is caterer Mary Micucci of Along Came Mary, who’s been supplying eats for several of these premieres.

Proving that eating at parties is apparently recession-resistant, she reports: “I’m tired, but it’s been exciting, we’re very exhilarated by it all. November and December have been the busiest two months in the history of our company. And all the parties have had different themes, which is another song and dance. It’s been really wild.”

Theme food included gingerbread cookies for “Toys,” and beef brisket, latkes, scampi and calamari for “Used People” with its Jewish and Italian characters. “Leap of Faith” will feature a heartland feast with roast turkey, barbecued ribs, corn bread, chili and cobbler.

Micucci was speaking from her home, where she was not putting her feet up but was readying her own Christmas party for 200. “Am I crazy?” she asks rhetorically. “I do this on my one day off?”

Holiday Cheer

So the usual stuff--ties, bathrobes, cappuccino machines, perfume--is selling big at department stores this season.

But because Social Climes tries to be politically correct and socially responsible whenever we can, we asked the people at Condomania what their bestsellers were.

Among the hot items are glow-in-the-dark condoms, mistletoe condoms (with faux mistletoe and a message that reads: “You never know what a kiss can lead to”), “Oooh, Santa” condoms, and packaged arrangements of condoms that look like wreaths and poinsettias. Maybe even a condom or two to decorate the tree? ‘Tis the season.

Value Judgments

Mommas, don’t let your babies grow up to do PR.

We couldn’t resist passing along this snippet of dialogue from a publicity rep hawking his TV-actor client for a story: “And he’s got a 3-year-old daughter who’s, like, a major part of his life!”

It’s all part of Hollywood’s on-going commitment to family values.