In the same way that the Super Bowl is an oasis for football fanatics, the Academy Awards is the night of the year for film buffs. Every year has its Hollywood drama (Kevin Hart dropping his hosting gig) and “most talked about fashion moments,” making it the perfect occasion to watch and celebrate with friends and family.
In honor of the upcoming 91st annual show, here are some of our top tips for hosting the ultimate Oscars viewing party!
Decorate
The top priority is to set the scene and atmosphere for when your guests arrive. Create a warm, inviting atmosphere with hints of old Hollywood glamour with these small decorative accents. Setting the table: gold and black are staple colors that are synonymous with the Academy Awards.
Incorporating these colors in a subtle way is a great way to stay on-theme without going overboard. Starting with your dining table or island, use gold brushed votive candles, scatter gold confetti or star-shaped table scatter to create a magical atmosphere.
Top it off with a table runner with gold or black trim to make your guests feel like they’ve entered their own Oscars. As a fun side activity – have them fill out an Oscar ballot to see how many people make correct predictions about winning actors and films!
Dine
The Oscars are three hours long so it would definitely be a good idea to have snacks on hand. If you’re looking to really get creative or even host a dinner beforehand, consider offering your guests themed dishes from the nominated films. If this event includes kids, it adds a little fun and playfulness to the night to think of puns for each dish.
Even if kids aren’t involved, adults will appreciate your inventive ideas. For main dishes, consider whipping up an English shepherd’s pie in honor of The Favourite, Shrimp and Grits in support of Green Book, or even tacos and enchiladas for Roma. Whatever meal or snack you decide to create, have fun with it because the innovative options are endless!
Drinks
If you’re thinking of having a more celebratory cocktail party, here are some ways to make sure your guests have an unforgettable time. First, one way to get creative is to choose cocktail glasses or flutes with gold accents. Champagne and prosecco is always festive and will definitely set the tone for the night. Fill an ice bucket with your favorite bottle of Brut and watch as the perfect night unfolds!
If you and your guests are serious film lovers, relive some of your favorite movies by re-creating signature cocktails from the films.
Here are recipes from three classic Hollywood movies you can have on hand for inspiration:
French 75: A champagne-based cocktail with gin. From one of the all-time classic Hollywood films, Casablanca (1942), this drink exudes luxury and hollywood glamour.
Recipe: 1 lemon, 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces), gin, 1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup, 1 cup ice cubes, 1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry sparkling wine (such as Veuve Clicquot Brut – chilled). To top it off, use a lemon zester and peel a 6-inch piece as garnish.
Manhattan: Named after the Manhattan Club – one of the most famous social clubs in NYC – this timeless drink evokes sophistication and was the cocktail of choice for Marilyn Monroe in one of her most classic films, Some Like it Hot (1959).
Recipe: 1 ounce sweet vermouth, 2 ounces rye whiskey, dashes of Angostura bitters, garnish with 1 maraschino cherry and 1 orange twist.
Vesper: James Bond is probably the most famous character associated with cocktails and sophistication. Rather than going for the predictable vodka martini – shaken not stirred – opt for this cool, refreshing drink had by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale (2006).
Recipe: Combine gin, vodka, and Lillet in a cocktail mixing glass. Add ice and stir until chilled, then strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
