CHECKING IN WITH ... WHERE’S THE PARTY?:

The holiday season is in full swing and your boss has put you in charge of the office party. You need help planning. Who to call? How about Where’s the Party? in Costa Mesa. This week we check in with Candy Hirte, owner of Where’s the Party?

What does your business offer? Do you have various pre-set packages, or is it more custom-made and tailored to the client’s goals?

Our store has everything you need to have a party, starting with the invitation. We do custom invitations, or just right off our shelves. To start with, we have two really great graphic artists who can create an invite customized with you in mind. We also have an unbelievable selection of designer stock that we can print or you can print yourself. Then, we carry very unique paper goods or we can order napkins personalized with your name or logo on them. You know like, “Paul is 40!” Our store is 7,000 square feet and has everything from balloons to greeting cards. We cater to anyone and everyone who is giving a party or celebration. There are no pre-set packages, just a lot of creativity and fun.

Tell us a little about the origins of your business. How did you come around to getting into the party-planning business? Were you a party animal in college?

Very long story, but just so you know, I have always loved parties. I started my store 18 years ago with a partner. I had no previous business experience, just the love of people and parties. We thought that there needed to be a more upscale party store in Orange County. The first few years were really difficult and my partner decided to move on. I was scared to death to be on my own, but I was committed. I have great employees and a great clientele. Good timing, and I was lucky.

Go ahead — name drop: Who have been some of your more notable clients?

Our clients are all notable. We have so many wonderful clients. We are so lucky. Our customers are from every walk of life. From the professional athlete to the everyday soccer mom. They are all special.

We all know the economy’s struggling, so have you noticed if people are in a less festive mood these days and has it affected business?

Struggling — boy, is that an understatement. We are in such a little bubble in our area, but our area has definitely been affected. I don’t know if you would say that their moods are less festive, but I’m sure as they are leaving their homes, their husbands would remind them that we are in a recession. It’s just something that we have never experienced. People are finding new ways to celebrate — probably not as elaborately.

OK, we’re throwing our annual holiday office party and it’s total dullsville. What’s a guaranteed party pleaser that can perk up any gathering?

Definitely music! The location is important too. Not too big, not too small. Of all the parties I have gone to, the ones that have been the most successful are smaller, more intimate. When it’s too big people are everywhere and they don’t mingle and get to know each other. Of course, the other party pleaser could be a themed alcoholic drink — like a martini, named after a person or company.

What’s your absolute favorite party song — the tune that will get everyone jamming?

Everyone loves a party no matter what. The older [and younger] crowd loves “Jump” by the Pointer Sisters. I know, it sounds corny.

Which party song is more annoying? “Who Let the Dogs Out?” or “The Macarena?”

Oh my gosh — “The Macarena”!

Do you ever throw parties just for yourself or is that too much of a busman’s holiday?

I love having parties. The problem is that when you have so many choices and lots of creativity within my store, it can become so much work. We love to make every detail perfect.

If President-elect Barack Obama hired you to plan one of the inaugural balls, what personal touch would you put on the occasion and why?

I can’t even fathom that big of an event, but it would be very classy and lots of personalized pieces — like all the napkins, all the linens, everything that you see would have a logo or monogram. Every person attending would leave with something memorable. Everyone loves a great favor. The tables would be clean and sleek with some gorgeous flower arrangement, probably tall, so that when you walk into the room you have this feeling of greatness.

Tell us some amusing anecdotes — What are some of the funniest party memories you have, and have you ever gone to one of the parties your business has helped plan?

My husband and I were invited to a Fourth of July wedding at Sundance because I became friends with the mother of the bride and the bride. It was one of the most fabulous weekends. I spent a lot of the weekend trying to locate Robert Redford. I gave strict instructions to my husband that if Robert showed up he was to act like we were not together. He went along with it, but we never saw him. What a great time we had, though.

Who’s a bigger party pooper? The Grinch or Scrooge?

Definitely Scrooge.