The 92nd Academy Awards® ceremony airs live on ABC this Sunday, February 9, beginning at 6:00 PM (MST), with pre-Oscar® programming, like behind-the-scenes looks and red carpet fashions, beginning at 11:00 AM. Hollywood's most famous awards event is better shared with friends! Put together a fabulous night in a hurry and on a budget!
Roll Out the Red Carpet
Buy some inexpensive red felt at a fabric store to line the walkway up to your front door. Use Christmas decorations like white lights and garland to add some glitz to the entrance. Dangle decorative stars.
Snap pictures like you're the paparazzi and announce your guests as they arrive: "And now please welcome last year's winner of the best chocolate chip cookies, Michelle Johnson."
Dress to Impress
One of the best parts of watching any Tinsel Town awards show is checking out the celebrity style. Hit up thrift stores or discount retailers for affordable evening wear. Layer on your bling-iest jewelry.
Since a pooch-sized purse seems to be a common fashion accessory among the stars, you can even add a stuffed pup to a sparkly clutch and carry it around while calling everyone "Darling!" Don't forget to tell all your guests to dress the part too!
Serve in Style
Instead of standard plastic plates and cups, buy clear plastic dishes and utensils at a party or dollar store. Silver with blue or gold with red works great too. Don't forget the plastic champagne flutes!
Designer Drinks
Add a few fresh berries to a glass of sparkling cider and garnish with a twist. Mix up a Pomtini or a Skinny Clementine Martini (I made this one for a recent Girls' Night In and it is outstanding!).
Delectable Snacks
Buy frozen hors d'oeuvres like mini quiches or Spanakopita at your local grocery or warehouse store. Serve up a plate of cheese and crackers. Make chicken salad and cucumber tea sandwiches.
Or go the movie route with extra buttery popcorn and movie-size boxes of candy.
Make It Interactive
Whether you've seen all the nominated films or not, part of the fun is casting your votes and then seeing how many of your favorites won. Print ballots, free from IndieWire, for all your guests to fill out before the show starts and then have a prize or an award for the person who got the most right... or the most wrong!
During the event, you and your guests can enhance the fun with free printable Bingo cards from HGTV. Encourage the winners to make an acceptance speech. Turn on some music and escort them back to their seats before they've finished speaking.
Voilà! You've got all the makings of a star-studded evening. Now enjoy the show!
