So, you want to host a Oscars party this year. Here’s how to plan a swanky soirée that your guests will never forget
Be the grand dame of entertainment with a fabulous Oscars party at home. Don't know where to begin? Follow our lead to get started
A legendary tribute to cinema, the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony is slated to be the biggest night in Hollywood — prompting viewers to host a swanky soiree of their own. Here's how to host an Oscars party for the books.
The Oscars has captivated audiences since the black-and-white television days of yore. The highly-anticipated telecast not only lionizes artistic and technical merit in the film industry; it's a display of cultural zeitgeist and glamour, establishing its influence in nearly every facet of society. And naturally, the event has spun off Oscars parties across households.
If you're eager to organize a celebration from your humble abode, you've arrived at the right destination. As journalists, we've made it our mission to keep you informed; and yes, that includes helping our readers host the perfect shindig. With our insights, you'll create an experience that'll leave an indelible mark on guests.
Decorations
Pick Your Theme Colors and Stock Up On Decorations
Be it a large soiree or an intimate gathering, it's imperative to brainstorm a theme, which will set the framework for how you shop for decorations, party favors, cocktail napkins, etc. After the year we've all had, don't play it safe. Be bold, and draw inspiration from old Hollywood glamour with a cream, gold, and black color story. Then, furnish your rooms in elegant red party and film essentials, like balloons, signage, and more.
Gold Award Trophies available on Amazon for $24
Bundled in bulk, these statue-shaped trophies feature durable material and a glossy gold finish worth presenting to guests. Each trophy is secured to its large base, which can fit a DIY homemade nameplate.
VIP Entrance Yard Sign Party available at Amazon for $13.75
Embellish your yard with this Gatsby-esque gold and black sign: a complementing detail to your Oscars bash. It's made of paper, and has the following dimensions: 24L x 15W x 0.5H inches.
15ft Hollywood Party Decoration Fabric Red Carpet Floor Runner available at Amazon for $14.95
Bring Hollywood's iconic red carpet to your front lawn. Made of durable fabric, Amscan's 15-foot runner features rich color and easy assembly. Your guests will be able to enter the party in style.
Mini “Star” Red Carpet Awards Night Cut-Outs available at Amazon for $12.50
The perfect addition to intimate and large-scale Oscars affairs. Hang these stars along your walls, or sprinkle them on furniture, serving dishes, etc. The opportunities are limitless.
3-Pack Hollywood Red Carpet Awards Ceremony Party Theme Supplies available on Amazon for $32
Make your life easier with this robust kit, featuring the essentials you'd otherwise have to purchase separately. It includes a red runner, a VIP stage door entrance, and two paparazzi props — in short, everything you need to set the stage for your bash.
1) Made of thin poly fabric, the red runner measures 24 inches wide by 15 feet long.
2) The paparazzi props measure 5' 3", and the VIP stage door is 30 inches wide by 5 feet tall.
Lights! Camera! Action! Value Pack available on Amazon for $7
A Hollywood-themed kit featuring six swirls, three swirls with 7" paper cutouts, and three swirls with 5" paper cutouts. They're easy to assemble and even easier to take apart once the night reaches its final act.
VIP Stage Door Entrance Door available on Amazon for $5.50
Decorate your door with this VIP stage door entrance display, which comes ready to hang indoors or outdoors. It'll signal to guests that a great night awaits them.
PartyWoo Gold and Black Balloons available on Amazon for $13
Your party isn't complete until you have a stunning array of balloons in tow. The set comes with 70 pieces of pearl black and white, black agate, gold confetti, and gold metallic options, granting full agency for creative expression. Each balloon is made of natural latex and other non-toxic materials certified by the American Society for Testing Materials. You can fill yours with air and helium, and they'll stay full for up to 72 hours (note: helium will stay full for 3-6 hours).
Awards Night Door Curtain available on Amazon for $11
A shiny, glitzy door curtain that won't fray throughout the night. It marries gorgeous detail with quality material, serving as an ideal accessory for entryways.
Themed Attire
Set A Dress Code
Forgo sweats and loungewear. Set a concrete fashion formula that emulates old Hollywood's glitz and glam. Think sequins and iridescent gowns, tops, pants, and skirts. Finish your outfit with shiny hair clips and barrettes, plus a smokey eye makeup kit to honor Elizabeth Taylor and her ilk. Don't forget your most dramatic faux lashes and pigmented matte lipstick to truly embody the era. If you don't want heels, no problem: There are plenty of best shoes for flat feet on the market (and you'll still look dashing).
Need a dress? We've scoured the internet for chic options that you'll want to wear all year round.
Free People Night Shimmers Mini Dress available on Macy's for $64.80
A chic dress for Hollywood's biggest night, featuring a lace overlay with scattered sequin embellishments. It includes a hidden side zipper closure, along with a feminine deep V-neck at the front and back. By design, it makes for one of the best dresses for every type of unpredictable spring day. Available in four styles and sizes US 0-12.
Sequin and Glitter Bodycon Dress available on Amazon for $29
Available in four sizes and 29 unique styles, this shimmery party dress is ideal for elevated events (including the Oscars soiree on the couch). It's form-fitting, yet features stretchy material to ensure comfort. That being said, you still may want to size up.
Sequined Cocktail Mini Dress available on Amazon for $30
This option is emblematic of the roaring twenties, the flapper era, and Daisy Buchanan in her glory. In other words, a staple of old Hollywood glamour. Available in four sizes and two sizes, the dress integrates ultra-feminine details, such as an alluring V neck, sequin embellishments, and a svelte bodycon fit. But fear not: It's incredibly stretchy and non-restrictive.
Table Arrangement
Create A Gilded Table
Your table is the main centerpiece for your Oscars party. It's the central location where guests can gather, wine and dine, and discuss theories on who's winning what. Adorn yours in an array of star cutouts, film-themed utensils, and Hollywood table-toppers finished off with a sequin gold table runner. You may even want to add some of the best candles to create an aromatic, olfactory oasis. With a carefully curated table, you'll be the belle of the ball, the Hostess with the Mostess, and the favorite among your friend group.
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13in X 108in Sequin Table Runner available on Amazon for $9
A sparkly table runner designed to cover 6ft/8ft rectangular and round tables with ease. Curated with glitzy embellishments, sequin details, and glamour in mind. Available in 13 colors and five different package quantities.
Awards Night Confetti Tableware Decorations available on Amazon for $4.89
Garnish your table in star and dot-shaped confetti, featuring a mix of black, gold, silver, and metallic colors. Available in four package quantities.
Party City Clapboard Hollywood Tableware Kit available on Amazon for $30
A Hollywood tableware set featuring a combination of black, gold, and red-hued utensils. It includes every possible you'll need at your disposal: 18 dessert plates, 18 dinner plates, 18 lunch napkins, 18 beverage napkins, 20 cups, and premium gold cutlery. For upping the ante on your theme, the included table cover is detailed with movie images of popcorn boxes, stars, cameras, film reels, and scene markers.
Red Carpet Hollywood Cutouts available on Amazon for $10
Make it a night to remember for the decorations to steal the show. This pack includes red carpet Hollywood cards in red, black, and golden shades, plus eight various patterns: microphone, trophy, popcorn, kinetoscope film, film clapboard, movie ticket, and so on.
Red Carpet Hollywood Centerpiece Sticks available on Amazon for $13
Furnish your gilded table in on-brand, Hollywood table displays, which includes 24 pieces cards in six different shapes: red carpet, Hollywood, vidicon, kinetoscope film, and more. Each is double-printed, easy to assemble, and vibrant in color.
Glassware
Make sure you have enough glasses
Champagne toasts, anyone? Obviously, especially at your Oscars party. Make sure each guest is accompanied by flowing booze in a sleek and sophisticated glass. For versatile use and styling, you'll want your glasses to be considerably uniform and subdued. After all, you'll be using your glassware more than once — that is, if you plan to entertain and host more soirees in the future.
Martha Stewart Essentials 12-Pc. Flutes Set available on Macy's for $18
The Martha Stewart Essentials set is tangible proof that great glassware doesn't have to be expensive. With sleek and slender lines, these flute glasses imbue elegance and are dishwasher safe. Post-party, we have you covered on the only two cleaning products you will ever need.
6-Pack Holmegaard Cabernet Coupe or Flute Glasses available on Pottery Barn for $96
The Holmegaard collection incorporates themes of modernism, pragmatism, and elegance. Each flute and coupe is lead-free and made of crystal glass with quality at the forefront. Cheers!
Food
Prepare The Hors d'oeuvres
A ravenous party is a failed one. Satisfy your guests' hunger pangs with a variety of treats, appetizers, and delectable finger foods. It's important to immerse guests in a memorable culinary experience — and that begins with knowing how to prepare meals and having the proper serving dishes on deck.
Kate Spade New York Hors D'Oeuvres Tray available on Macy's for $75
Emblazoned with polished cursive text, this Hors D'Oeuvres Tray is a cosmopolitan server for finger foods galore. It's made of porcelain and is microwave and dishwasher safe to ensure easy cleaning. And unarguably, its classic charm will never become outdated. It's easily one of the ultimate kitchen essentials you need, ASAP.
Hors d'Oeuvres by Victoria Blashford-Snell available on Amazon for $19.62 paperback
Dubbed as the hors d'oeuvre bible, this recipe tome features 200 recipes with step-by-step guidance, plus menu planners for quick apps and ornate creations. From tapas to blinis, you'll immerse your guests in a culinary journey they'll never forget.
Entertainment
Bring Out The Games
Entertainment transcends beyond alcoholic beverages, flavorful snacks, and fancy 'fits. When the night peaks, introduce games to keep guests engaged at every hour — even when the host's jokes become blasé. But before investing in another iteration of Monopoly, you'll want to check out some Oscars-themed games that are more fun and affordable.
2021 Oscars Printable Ballot Download available on Etsy for $4
This digital product features the 23 categories separated into seven different subjects. At the end of the show, you can tally up the results and crown the leading expert-harbinger hybrid. The PDF is sized for portrait letter-size prints, 8.5" (wide) by 11" (tall).
Academy Awards Oscars Bingo available on Etsy for $5
To get the party teeming in excitement, whip out an Academy Awards Oscars Bingo game. This group set includes 30 unique bingo cards, which can be played with up to 30 guests or as few as two contenders. You'll want to play along while watching the awards unfold.
Photography
Set up a photobooth for Instaworthy moments
Let's be candid here for a moment: Everything is now for the #Gram, so it's crucial to provide guests with the opportunity to capture (and seize) the moment. Luckily, there are plenty of high-quality tools for creating party keepsakes; and your guests will thank you tremendously. Say cheese!
2-Pack Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 Disposable 35mm Camera available on Amazon for $29.80
This compact camera takes sharp and clear pictures with a 10-foot built-in flash, not to mention it's full-proof and simple to use. Great for outdoor and indoor use, the camera includes superior X-TRA 400 film and 27 exposures.
Hollywood Party Photo Booth Props Kit available on Amazon for $10
The quintessential props for adding color and personality to your photos. Since they're printed on quality card stock, they'll last you through all the shenanigans as non-flimsy and hardwearing accessories.
Hollywood Red Carpet Backdrop available on Amazon for $18
Every photography session needs a compelling backdrop. This wallpaper does not mince on the details, with the iconic Hollywood Hills sign as its most prominent feature. Made of vinyl materials and high-resolution imagery, it can be rolled out flat or hung either vertically or horizontally.
Goodie Bags
Don't forget goodie bags
The soiree doesn't have to end when the Oscars do at 11:30 p.m. Give each guest a thoughtful goodie bag as a token of appreciation. Fill yours to the brim with candy and treats, on-theme tchotchkes, and other fun gizmos. You'll want to start with durable boxes to house your party favors. Then, get creative with the presents.
12-Pack Movie Night Party Favor Boxes available on Amazon for $19
This must-have set is comprised of 12 Hollywood-inspired party favor bags, 12 gift tags, and a coordinating satin ribbon to tie it all together. Each one is made of durable cardstock paper, carefully packaged, and imparts a glossy shine.
Poo-Pourri Before-You-go Toilet Spray available on Amazon for $5
A formidable contender against lingering stenches. Available in 15 unique scents, this toilet spray is a bathroom must-have — all you have to do is spritz the bowl before you go. This fresh, deodorizing formula is designed with essential oils and natural compounds. Plus, it's free of harsh chemicals, aerosol, parabens, phthalates, or formaldehyde.
Bob Ross Bobblehead available on Amazon for $5.86
The Bob Ross Bobblehead is an Amazon best-seller worth the hype (and its price-tag isn't too shabby either). This figure plays 10 witty and wise proverbs from the art monarch himself; while the mini easel book includes Ross's most prominent landscape works. There's no better way to pay homage to an icon.
Dominique worked as a shopping writer at Woman & Home and while with the brand she covered products, sales and deals, and market news across categories. Before joining the team, she penned stories as an editorial fellow at Insider Reviews, the affiliate commerce team at Insider Inc./Business Insider. The bespectacled NJ transplant specializes in commerce journalism, women’s lifestyle content, and hoarding makeup—much to her mother’s dismay.
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