December Influencer: Fred Lee

Host, presenter and auctioneer, for more than two decades Fred Lee has been Vancouver’s Man About Town. A tireless volunteer and fundraiser, he’s a mentor to many and continues to give of his time and expertise to many organizations, including the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation. Oh, and it turns out, he absolutely loves the holidays! —Vita Daily

Hi Fred! Tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I’m very lucky to hold a number of roles in the community, and take great pride in my work with each. I am the senior director of alumni engagement at UBC and a contributor for Vancouver magazine, Boulevard and others, sharing Metro Vancouver’s A-list happenings, red-carpet parties, must-attend galas and fabulous fundraisers. I appear a number of radio and TV shows on similar topics, as well as food and lifestyle. My community building and volunteer work includes sitting on fundraising committees, hosting events, raising money as an auctioneer and acting as a mentor.

How do you use your platform to impact those who follow you?

I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity to amplify the work of so many in the community to help build a better world, from healthcare to the arts, diversity, equity and inclusion. It’s gratifying to know that I can utilize my platform to make a real impact on people’s lives.

What’s your personal style/wellness mantra?

Stylish comfort. Personally, it’s all about clothing and silhouettes that are timeless and can transcend seasons. Well-fitting wardrobe staples are essential to make you feel great, including a splendid suit, a classic tuxedo and a good pair of perfectly-fitting jeans. These will never fail you; having them in your wardrobe allows you to mix and match with a choice of accessories to keep things fresh and current. As for wellness, my mantra is, “I radiate positive energy, which brings good things back to me.”

O, Christmas! Are you a holly jolly junkie?

We love Christmas! My husband, Joshua, would celebrate sooner if he could but it usually starts after my birthday on November 17. We have 14 years of holiday celebrations, trees, baubles and other mementos packed in boxes in our garage, so each year we curate what comes out depending on what theme and colour schemes we’re working with that holiday season. Holding onto heirlooms like baubles for the tree or other holiday decorations is actually one of my top tips for the holidays. Items like these are priceless and often passed down through generations, so don’t let them go!

What are some of your favourite local festive activities?

From visits with friends and family to the Christmas parties, concerts, shows, galas, the Festival of Lights, the famous Christmas Market, The Nutcracker and more. We love all of it! We kick off the season with our annual holiday gathering, an open house for friends to come and enjoy a cup of cheer. Reds are always a bit of a risk when mingling, but a crisp white is always a great choice. A personal favourite of ours is Laughing Stock’s 2021 Viognier. After the launch of our festivities with friends, my husband and I will, as we do every year, be spending time with family. We’ll be travelling to Calgary to see Joshua’s family, and then usher in Christmas with mine. Between the two visits, we’ll also be heading to Maui to enjoy a few days of sun and sand!

What are your top holiday entertaining tips … and sips?

Keep it simple so more time can be spent mixing and mingling with friends and family—versus in the kitchen prepping. I’ve actually partnered with Laughing Stock Vineyards to put together some of my top entertaining tips on how to “stock up” for the holidays. For example, I highly recommend investing in quality glassware you can use again and again. Meanwhile, for anyone concerned about “best etiquette” when it comes to serving drinks, it is absolutely OK to hold on to wines that guests bring that don’t quite fit your menu for the evening. And, diversifying the wine you’re offering to appeal to everyone is a sure-fire way to keep guests happy. As for our party staples: plenty of beautiful B.C. bubbles and local wine (Laughing Stock rich reds and crisp whites to accompany our holiday dishes), charcuterie boards of fine cheese and meats (Les Amis du Fromage is our go-to for beautiful boards) and holiday sweets (from Beaucoup Bakery, Thomas Haas and Thierry Patisserie).

What’s your fave type of gift to give … and how do you personally give back?

A beautiful bottle of wine and a bespoke candle are great host gifts. If you are invited for dinner, don’t be shy to ask what the host is preparing. That way you can play the perfect party guest and find the perfect wine to pair with that delicious dish. Following the recent wildfires in the Okanagan Valley coupled with earlier extreme cold temperatures, the wine region has been severely impacted this past year, so the B.C. wine industry can definitely use some love. We need to support our local winegrowers, and I am encouraging everyone to buy B.C. wine this season, whether you’re selecting a wine at a restaurant, entertaining at home or getting gifts to give. In terms of giving back, during the holidays Joshua and I like to support some of our favourite local charities like the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and the United Way, who are doing their best to ensure everyone enjoys the season. The holidays can be an expensive time of year, so if you can’t afford to make a donation, the gift of time is just as valuable. As it gets colder and the festivities begin for some, many organizations are seeking volunteers to support their great work. If you have some time, please consider getting involved. 

Christmas wish time: what is at the very top of your list?

Personal time. Joshua and I do our best every year, particularly around the holidays, to give ourselves some time for self-care, whether that’s a trip away, sharing some wine together by the fire or a few hours of pampering at one of our favourite spas. Personal time with your loved ones really is priceless.