Dr Christmas, a ‘tree stylist for stars’ has shared how he transformed Kris Jenner’s and Kathy Hilton’s holiday homes. He also revealed what it takes to create designer decorations on a budget.
Bob Pranga and his partner Debi Staron are the owners of Dr Christmas, a business based in Los Angeles, California, which works to bring cheer into the lives of regular clients and celebrities alike with unique and colourful displays.
In the 1980s, Mr. Pranga nearly stumbled upon the job accidentally while working at Macy’s New York. This department store is known for selling designer clothes.
Daily Mail Australia reported that they placed him in the Christmas section during the holiday season, so he started to plant trees there.
Bob Pranga, along with Debi Staron, are the co-owners of Dr Christmas. This business is based in Los Angeles and works with celebrities and regular clients to create cheer with colourful and unique displays. (pictured with Kathy Hilton, Kyle Richards, and Kyle Richards).
Nearly by chance, Mr Pranga was working at Macy’s New York. This department store is known for selling designer clothes.
Daily Mail Australia: He said that he was placed in the Christmas department by the authorities during the holiday season. This allowed him to start putting up trees there.
Ex-fashion model and actress Mia Farrow saw Mr. Pranga’s work, and she asked him if he would come to set up her tree at home. Kathy Hilton was then introduced to him, the mother of Nicky, and Paris.
His words: “I worked in Christmas stores for Christmas trees, before I came to LA and started to work at Kathy Hilton’s store on Sunset Boulevard.”
“I started this job in 1989. Before calling up local television stations, I worked for Kathy’s friends and appeared on shows spreading the word.
It wasn’t long before Mr Pranga was working alongside Kyle Richards, who will appear in The Real Housewives of the North Pole streaming on Hayu this year, Christina Applegate, Beyoncé and Ben Affleck.
Paris Hilton and Kathy Hilton are shown left and right, respectively, with Dr Christmas.
It wasn’t long before Mr Pranga was working alongside Kyle Richards, who will appear in The Real Housewives of the North Pole streaming on Hayu this year, Christina Applegate, Beyoncé and Ben Affleck
The Dr. Christmas services are custom made for each customer to match their home.
“We decide whether it is something they would like for their kids, and then we show them all the options. He said that Christmas used to follow the fashion, but today every home is different.
After the consultation and plans are in place the Dr Christmas team – of which there are 10 crew members excluding Mr Pranga and Ms Staron – set a date and come over to install the pieces.
The goal of Mr. Pranga is to arrive at the client’s home within 4 hours. He may return to their house the day after Christmas, to bring down the decorations.
He explained that it was like setting up and taking down a movie set. Once you are gone, there is no way to go back.
John Legend and Dr Christmas at a party held by the musician (pictured left)
He said, “It’s almost like setting up a film set, then taking it down again. It leaves no trace once you’re gone.”
Kevin Hart (right), photographed with Dr Christmas-designed trees
“Christmas is not cheap. The average cost to celebrate Christmas is $5,000. But there are no higher limits.
Clients at the top end of the spectrum pay $280,000 to Dr Christmas for delivery on Christmas wishes.
For Mr Pranga, decorating in Christmas spirit is his full-time occupation from October to January every year. Six years ago, Dr Halloween was started by him to make the most of this spooky holiday.
He clarified that Halloween is nearly as popular as Christmas in California.
The most bizarre thing he was ever asked to do was to strap a Christmas Tree to a Harley Davidson Motorbike, so the rider could go around on it.
But he couldn’t promise it to be safe.
“The rules of tradition are completely different,” he said. He stated that this year, everyone is ready to party.
This stunning living room display was created by Dr Christmas with his team
Although there are not any specific guidelines for decorating during December, Mr. Pranga offers some helpful tips to help you get the most from your tree
Although there are no rules regarding how you decorate your Christmas tree, Mr. Pranga offers some helpful tips to help make the most of it.
He said that people think designers need to have a lot of small things, but this is not true.
“All you need is a central point in your tree, maybe somewhere middle. This will signify the theme that you are trying to achieve.
“Once, I made an all-red Christmas tree and put ruby slippers at the center. Everyone thought it was a tribute to The Wizard of Oz.
Take a picture or ornament as your focus point and then have some fun. You can also use ribbon to achieve a designer appearance.
He suggested that celebrities were returning to the basics this year with green, red and gold colours, but he didn’t know why.
He said, “Traditional is here this year.”