Lights, cameras, action! The 2019 Academy Awards will air this Sunday, February 24th at 8:00 p.m. ET. Of course, the party for us really begins when the red carpet coverage begins, typically two hours before the big show. For movie lovers, this is our Super Bowl, so why not have a few friends over and debate over “Who wore it best?” from the comfort of your living room. Turn your Academy Awards party into an elegant affair with these decoration ideas, easy recipes, delicious drinks and more.
Decor
The Academy Awards are all about glamour, so a key way to making your party feel elevated — and not kitschy — is the color scheme. A metallic theme is a really easy way to do this because gold and silver feel instantly glam, thanks to their sheen. No Insta filters required!
Make sparkling wine live up to its name! This takes about five minutes to do and is an easy way to cover up a less-expensive brand of Champagne or sparkling wine. Simply spray tacky adhesive vertically in even quadrants along the bottles, sprinkle gold glitter down the front, and let it dry for about five minutes.
Forget the expensive crystal and glassware, and opt for affordable (and disposable!) plastic cups that you can glam up. Cover the top of each cup with a loose piece of paper and, using the same adhesive spray and glitter as the Champagne bottles, spray around the bottom and sprinkle gold glitter along the bottom. Wipe off any excess.
Pro-tip: Glitter can scare neat freaks, but using paillette or chunky glitter (which is a little bit bigger) makes clean up easier. Just use a lint roller to pick up any stray pieces.
And the Oscar for Best Hostess goes to…you! These envelope napkins are easy to make (just four folds!) and adorably on theme for your party. With a little creativity, gold napkins, red ribbon and white round office labels, you can quickly create your own.
Food
Popcorn and movies always go together, so why not incorporate this classic film snack into your Oscar party? You can also elevate the affordable snack by rolling popcorn into cute lollipop-style balls and adding a decorative straw or party pick for serving. Or construct a popcorn bar with various candies and toppings. Your guests will love making their favorite sweet and salty combination.
Instead of serving dinner foods and dips in large portions, go for single servings. In addition to being easier to finagle while you’re mingling at the party, this is a great way to keep double dippers at bay (after all, we are also still deep in a bad flu season). Plus, it allows you to serve food like decor, thanks to these cute mini gold forks. Single-bite meatballs are a perfect make-ahead, hearty and delicious party option. Whether you choose classic meatballs or a recipe with a little more jazz, your guests will love these flavorful, party-perfect bites served on mini festive forks.
Add a shimmering golden finish to make an easy dessert, like these precious cupcakes, extra special. Cupcakes are still a fan favorite, especially if there are some younger guests in attendance. If you’re a baking novice, use store-bought cupcakes sprinkled with edible gold glitter (available online or at your local craft store).
There’s no better way to watch movie stars maneuver their way down the red carpet and on stage than with a champagne cocktail and tasty hors d’oeuvres in-hand. So buy some bubbly and pop the popcorn. With a few additions like these, your Oscars party will be as good as gold!
