The Oscars are THE award show of the season, which means hosting an Oscars party at home is a wonderful way to entertain.
How can one have a glamorous Oscars party? Here are some ways you can host an Oscars party at home:
Host an Oscars Party at Home
1. Menu:
Forget the elaborate dinner or ordering pizza – finger foods are your best bet. But don’t serve them all at once; roll them out over the course of the evening, says Teri Gault, CEO and founder of The Grocery Game.
“This is what I call a ‘grazing party’ which is the easiest on you because there’s no sit down dinner, and it’s also easy on the budget,” Gault says. “The best grazing party is all about an eclectic mix of food, so anything you find on sale can fit the bill.”
2. Drinks:
If you’re on a budget, champagne punch just might be the right drink for your guests. Gault suggests adding a shot of Tia Maria and 1/2 cup of juice per bottle.
“Make ice rings with fruit that’s on sale, like grapes, orange slices, and strawberries and freeze in layers,” says Gault. “Drape rhinestone costume jewelry around the punch bowl! Garnish champagne glasses with strawberries.”
3. Decorations:
You can make a fruit centerpiece inspired by Oscar himself. Skewer in season fruit into a whole pineapple and add some Oscars images by Google searching photos of Oscar, or even photos of the nominated actor’s faces. Print them out, laminate the images and tape them to the skewers and add to your bouquet.
4. Table:
How do you make your table also look snazzy? Gault says presentation is everything.
“A boring flat buffet can be transformed by using stacks of books. Build the highest stack in the middle with the widest books for your centerpiece, and shorter stacks around. Then cover with a tablecloth. Adorn with anything sparkly.”
Here is how Gault did it:
5. Swag Bags:
Who said loot bags are just for kids? Swag bags can be fun and don’t have to cost too much.
Search your local craft store or even the dollar store for plain gold or black gift bags and decorate with glitter or shiny ribbons. “Look for clearance sales on Valentine heart chocolate boxes, which could be 70-90% off,” Gault suggests. “Take out the chocolates to fill small truffle bags from a craft store (25 bags for about $2). Tie each bag with shiny gold ribbon.”
6. Costume Party
Invite your guests to dress up as their favourite film actor but here’s where it can be fun – they have to stay in character throughout the evening. Then at commercial break, pick out your own award winners.
Give awards and prizes for Most Creative Costume and Best Actor and Best Actress. You can force the winners to say an acceptance speech.
“You can also play an Oscar trivia game during commercials, with questions pulled out of a hat,” says Gault. “Be ready to give silly little wrapped trinkets from the dollar store for correct answers.”
Have fun and remember, you and your guests are the real stars!