Are you going to the Oscars? Me either. Darn. But I will be watching! No one should watch the Oscars alone so host a fabulous Oscar Party in your own home. Invite your nearest and dearest movie addicts over for a night of celebrating – red carpet style! What is better than a little glitz and glam, fancy cocktails, and a dash of celebrity? Here are a few simple ideas to get you started.
Decorating
-Roll out the red carpet for guests (use runner, red butcher paper, red felt fabric).
-Create centerpieces with red roses. Add fake crystals for some “bling.”
-Ask your guests to dress up, it is a formal affair after all!
-Make sure you have plenty of seating – no one wants to stand all night (borrow folding chairs from the neighbors if need be, and dress them up with chair covers or cushions). Throw some extra pillows around for extra seating.
-Make sure the television is placed for maximum viewing ability.
-Arrange your buffet with your fanciest serving pieces, anything gold or crystal will fit in with the old Hollywood glam feel that is perfect for the occasion.
-Pay attention to the mood lighting. Have plenty of candles or other soft lighting so that you can ‘dim the lights’ when the show starts.
-Play music from you favorite nominated soundtrack in the background while your guests are arriving and before the show begins.
Activities
-Hand your guests ballots when they arrive and ask them to cast their votes for the winners. Award prizes for the most and fewest picks. Prizes could be copies of one of this year’s nominated sound tracks.
-Take instant photos of your guests when they arrive at the party(preferably while they are standing on the red carpet you have placed in your entryway). Put the developed photos in silver picture frames and give them out as party favors.
- Another way to keep guests entertained is to play Awards Show bingo. Before the party, create bingo cards with the most common award show happenings: a winner crying, thanking God or forgetting to thank their spouse or co-star; a presenter mangling a nominee’s name; the orchestra cutting off a winner’s speech; a host’s joke falling flat.
Food and Drink
-Plan on serving appetizers and desserts that are elegant enough for the red carpet but simple enough for your low key party. It’s not necessary to serve an actual ‘dinner’, finger foods really are the best and easiest way to go. Think small but decadent. Turn it up a notch by presenting individual appetizers and dessert servings on elegant mini serving dishes!
-Have bowls of popcorn, caramel corn, nuts, or candy placed in silver or gold bowls around the viewing area for nibbling on during the show.
-Just for fun, have bowls of classic movie-theater snacks like Junior Mints, Raisinets, SnoCaps and Jujyfruits on hand.
-Cocktails are an absolute must! You can’t go wrong with champagne and/or wine. If you want to set up a bar, think old Hollywood martini’s or highballs. Make sure you stock your bar serving area with lots of olives, limes, lemons, cocktail onions, stir sticks, and napkins. It’s fine for guests to serve themselves, just be sure that they have easy access to all ingredients and accessories needed.
-One last food tip….and it may well be the most important one! If you plan on having popcorn available (it’s a MOVIE THEMED party after all), please, please, please DO NOT serve your guests microwave popcorn. It will ruin your party!!! Just kidding! I am shocked by how many people have never made real popcorn on the stove! If you are one of ‘those’ people, you are totally missing out on what great popcorn tastes like. Watch the video below for instructions on how to make stove top pop corn and prepare for your life to change.
Lori is a content writer for Discount Party Supplies. She is married with three kids and hosts many family gatherings and parties. In her free time, Lori enjoys taking yoga classes, and in her secret life she likes going to heavy metal concerts (but don’t tell the other soccer moms!).
