And the Award for Best DIY Oscar Party Goes to ... You!
Create a red-carpet stir right in your living room with these clever ideas for an Academy Awards party at home
As the ultimate night of old Hollywood glitz and glam, the Academy Awards is a yearly celebration of awe-inspiring movies, gorgeous celebrities and, of course, over-the-top dresses. Although most of us won't get the chance to make a red carpet appearance, there are several ways to celebrate the night in style — whether you're spending time with your family or a large group of friends. In 2013 that night is Sunday, February 24. You can see the nominees here.
To give your own living room that elegant Tinseltown feel, you don't need a celebrity-size salary; in fact, you need just a few carefully selected accessories and some creativity. These ideas, taken from a stash of ubercrafty bloggers, will help get you started.
To give your own living room that elegant Tinseltown feel, you don't need a celebrity-size salary; in fact, you need just a few carefully selected accessories and some creativity. These ideas, taken from a stash of ubercrafty bloggers, will help get you started.
Make your treats work double duty. When placed on a side table, these stunning sugar cookies can easily be table decorations — until they're all gone, that is. For an added design touch, Angie from Bakerella created small category signs so guests can pick which "award" they would most like to receive.
Get crafty with your centerpiece. For an award-winning table on a small budget, create your own Oscar statuette. Although it might look complicated, Kathleen from Twig & Thistle offers an easy-to-follow template that almost guarantees a solid end result. Experiment with the paper color and pattern for your own unique twist.
Don't go overboard with your theme. Although it's great to have hints of Hollywood, not every decoration needs to scream "Oscars." With a fun Oreo "cake" and white flowers, Kathleen from Twig & Thistle ensures that the elegant color scheme (and not the movie references) takes precedence.
Offer an entertaining party game. Instead of just waiting around for the winners, make the entire show a party by playing this Oscar-themed bingo game with guests. A free download, courtesy of Jessica from How About Orange, lets you check off a box when lines are botched or celebrities are sighted.
Let your guests participate. Since this is, after all, an awards show, have your guests pick their favorites beforehand with a fun Oscar ballot (a printable version is available here). To turn it into a tabletop decoration, Kelly from Studio DIY packaged it nicely inside a clear and gold tube and added sequins for a little sparkle.
Dress up like the stars. Who says adults are too old to play dress-up? For a festive party twist, Janna, Joli and Kara from The Gossip at Girlfriend Galas suggest including fun accessories, such as sunglasses, hats, boas and crowns, to make sure everyone gets their red carpet moment. To capture the moments, use disposable cameras or rent a photo booth.
Ensure everyone gets an Oscar. Your friends probably will not go home with a Best Actress award, but they can get a Best Actress cupcake! Keisha from Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams added category-themed toppers to her party kit for added color and decoration.
Set the mood early. Be sure your guests are well prepared for a truly glam night by sending out classy invitations. These beauties, created by Kathleen from Twig & Thistle, will make your guests feel like real celebrities.
Consider all the little details. When you're throwing a party, simple touches can make all the difference. By cleverly folding napkins and adding a custom sticker, Keisha from Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams created her own version of an awards envelope. Genius!
Give guests something to take home. This sparkly creation by Kelly from Studio DIY makes for a great guest goodie bag. Just fill it with yummy treats and send everyone home with something to remember you (and your party) by.
Don't forget the popcorn. No Oscars night would be complete without this movie theater staple. Guarantee that everyone gets their fill by wrapping up individual portions, like Kathleen from Twig & Thistle did here. Use her template to create your own customizable popcorn boxes.
Think about your wall space. While the emphasis here is on food and tabletop decorations, adding some additional decor can help liven up the rest of the room. Keisha from Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams placed this festive color-coordinated banner above her treats table to help solidify her colorful party scheme.