Andrea Markey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 28/05) - 'Tis the season for home parties, and some people book them a year in advance for the hectic pre-holiday season.

These gatherings are more than just a get-together with friends and neighbours. A focal point is the display of products from one of Yellowknife's many and varied consultants.

And it is a bustling business in town. There are at least six home party businesses, and 11 women selling PartyLite products.

Barb Kardash has sold the candles and accessories for seven years now, earning a spot in the top five for sales across the country in six of those years. Earlier this summer she was named the highest selling consultant in Canada with $100,000 in sales from May 2004 to June 2005.

Another PartyLite consultant, Cathy Billan, had the third highest sales in Canada last year.

Kardash sells the products full-time, in addition to co-ordinating special events.

Average sales from PartyLite house parties is about $500, but it's not uncommon to sell more than $1,500 closer to Christmas, she said.

"With so many double incomes in Yellowknife, people tend to spend money on decorating their homes for the cold, dark months ahead," she said.

Consultants earn 25 per cent of the sales and are paid by PartyLite weekly. The company also provides on-going sales training at conferences and through on-line material.

Flexibility a draw

The flexibility of scheduling shows to suit one's lifestyle is appealing to many consultants, many of whom sell products in addition to other paid jobs and raising children.

Crystal Craig hosted her first open house on Sunday for Gramma's Attic Home Parties as Yellowknife's new consultant.

The Calgary-based company only allows one representative at a time to sell in a city the size of Yellowknife. After the last consultant moved in January, customers were happy to access the products again, said Craig, who is on maternity leave from the GNWT.

She will continue selling the products when she returns to work.

The items, including kitchen supplies, stuffed bears, antiques and afghans, are only available for viewing on the company's website and at the parties.

"People like to be able to touch and smell the products and see the quality for themselves," she said. "Home parties also allow people to see right away how the products will look in a house."

Craig has eight or nine bookings for home parties from Sunday's showing, and expects many more from word of mouth and people attending those parties, she said.

Other home party businesses in town include The Pampered Chef, Tupperware and Weekender Wear.