Let's start with some adjectives to describe Shanghai winters: cold, windswept, wet, dreary, chou dofu. You don't want to go outside, so as the mercury drops, start looking into services that make house calls. The following businesses and services will give you a running start in making your home a veritable entertainment complex, blatantly preferable to the hostile outside world. Maybe "running start" isn't the right word; get a good bath robe, ship off the kids and do like the bears do.

At-Home Fine Dining

Who

The Party People

What

catering service

When

any time

Cost

US$10,000 minimum for parties

If the price tag makes you cringe, rest assured it comes with a staff determined to fulfill any request, culinary or otherwise. "We call ourselves the Mission Impossible Team," says Party People Manager Bruno Billiet, "so if you need anything, let us know." This mantra has been put to the test with the most daunting challenge a catering service can encounter–the notoriously picky music industry. Ziggy Marley's band specifically requested "fish of a deep-sea variety with scales." The Party People happily obliged, finding the perfect Red Snapper for the Rastafarians. The group has gone on to cater for the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, and of course, Shanghai's elite. Tel: 3205-0383, 3205-0382. Fax: 5284-1940. Website: www.simplylife-sh.com/PartyPeople/

Hana Ilic and Cameron Willard

Who

The Flying Chef

What

private chef

When

every day (but will not stay past midnight)

Cost

RMB400 for the first four people, RMB50 for each additional person, plus the cost of ingredients

The in-house flying chef, Mr. Li, has honed the art of Chinese (at-home) cuisine to a T and his years spent in Germany ensure that he knows how to play to the foreign crowd. Li may not be able to speak English, but his food speaks for itself. Mobile: 139-1622-2355. Website: http://flyingchef.cn

Secret Spas

Who

Happii Woman

What

Spa services for busy ladies

When

10am to 10pm every day (including public holidays)

Cost

facials start at RMB380, massages at RMB250, RMB30-40 taxi charge if outside Shanghai's Inner Ring

Happii Woman's convenient home spa treatments are readily accessible and these beauticians are ready to go to great lengths to bring busy ladies a little pampering. "One time a customer called them for an 'emergency' lunch-hour manicure at her office. She squeezed some pampering into her schedule and made all her colleagues envious," says Mercedes Yao, manager of Happii Woman. For those who like to keep pampering private, Happii Woman will throw a Sparty at home where two to four ladies can get pampered–manicure, pedicure, foot and shoulder massage–together. Happii Woman will even bring the champagne, music and a butler to add a little glamour to the event. (Check out the "Deals and Prizes" section on the City Weekend website). Reservation hotline: 6103-6913, Mobile: 158-0052-5870 (SMS booking). Email: admin@happiiwoman.com

Personal Party Grooves

Who

Rob Jameson

What

private DJ

When

weekends after 9pm for three to five hours

Cost

RMB3,000 for a party with 20 to 40 people, he will bring the equipment

"I became a DJ because I was fed up with listening to my Miss Moneypenny and Chuff Chuff mix tapes and turning the volume button up and down as though I was mixing," says this UK native. "I bought my first belt-driven turntable when I was 19 along with a mixer, an amp and a pair of speakers." He was left with just enough cash to buy five UK garage vinyls and played them religiously until the grooves were worn. Thank God early UK garage came out with its addictive tuff skip beats in '96 / '97, allowing Rob to debut his old school soulful vocal house, electro, deep house, funk, soul and drum and bass. Otherwise, who else would be spinning the vinyl in people's living rooms on gloomy Saturday nights? Tel: 138-1894-2747. Email: robjamdj@hotmail.co.uk

Pumping Up in Private

Who

Xpat Gym Fitness Trainers

What

personalized fitness training

When

every day, 9am-7pm

Cost

RMB3,000 for 10 sessions

As Daniel Zhang, Xpat Gym's jovial fitness trainer puts it, "Working out with our staff is more than just pumping steal and sweating–it's a lifestyle." He sees his work-out sessions as "muscle art" and his clients as family friends. No wonder a client (and CEO of an international company) once chose to spend two of his six hours in town working out with Daniel before heading out on another business trip. "The training cheers him up," says Zhang. "He was not just there to lift weights. Building better body control affects the inside as well as the outside." The gym's staff is happy to offer fitness sessions in the comfort of their clients' homes and can bring all the necessary equipment to help out those among us who, ironically, are too lazy to walk to the gym. Tel: 6261-8982. Mobile: 138-1611-0547 (SMS preferable)

Fortifying Your Home Base

Now that you have professionals streaming into your home to cater to your every whim, the time has come to shore up your gadgetry for the reclusive months ahead.

Martini Magic

Throwing a party? Make sure to have a Hampton two-piece stainless steel shaker (RMB580). There's no better way to break the ice. Available at Jimix (Italian).

Movie Master

Splurge on a six-speaker THX Jamo sound system (RMB59,990) to make Chinese theaters and their paltry foreign film quotas completely obsolete. Available at Best Buy (Electronics).

Espresso King

A Braun coffee maker (RMB529) will give you the kick you need to get through those private kick-boxing lessons without giving up and crawling back into bed. Available at Carrefour (Supermarkets).

Couch Sports

You want to work out and have fun? Technology has caught up with your lazy bum. Getting a Wii (RMB2,350) lets you work out, have fun, play tennis or even go bowling without leaving the house. Available at Metro City (Department Stores).

Wrap It Up

It may not be a gadget in the technical sense, but if you're serious about lounging around at home, a bathrobe (RMB169) might just be the best friend you have. Just be sure to tie it up before answering the door. Available at H&M (Boutiques).