Throw an Oscar Night Party This Sunday!
Friday, February 20, 2009 at 1:04PM 
It's the "Biggest Movie Event of the Year" proclaims the official Oscar website--- so if you're all about the movies, it's not too late to throw together a last minute Academy Awards party. The show airs on ABC this Sunday, February 22nd at 8pm EST. Send out an email to your friends and get busy planning--- it's another one of those easy, affordable parties to host at the last minute. Here's the quick 411:
THEME: Movie Night Casual or Red Carpet Glamour Guests can come dressed as a character from their favorite nominated movie, as their favorite actor, as a typical moviegoer, or they can up the glam factor by dressing in red carpet attire. This can be tough on guests at the last minute, but most girls have a cute cocktail dress and the guys can Brad Pitt it by wearing his signature dark suit and solid color tie.
DECORATIONS: Party and craft stores all have movie night decorations so they are easy to find. For a casual movie night theme, popcorn boxes, boxed candy and director's clapboards are perfect. For red carpet style, take a tip from the big event itself and go all gold. Raid your holiday decorations to see what you may be able to use. Anything with stars or gold will work. You can find those large or small golden statues to use--- they are also fun to give as party favors. Use lots of them on your table or buffet. Popcorn box red is also an easy decorating theme. Serve red signature cocktails. Accent with stars in silver, gold, black or white.
MENU: Who knows Oscar better than Wolfgang Puck? That's where I started when I thought about an Oscar party menu. If you like to cook, he's got last year's Oscar menu and other recipes right online. Since it is last minute, you may not have a lot of time to prep and cook. Just head to Whole Foods and grab some of Wolfgang's frozen pizzas. Doctor those up with freshly grated Parmsean, a splash of olive oil and toss on some fresh basil to make it look like you did the work. For casual grazing, serve easy to manage food. Always serve hot appetizers in stages and select plenty of items that can sit out without worry so you can enjoy the party. Fondue is always easy and fun. Wolfgang has a recipes for Gouda Cheese Fondue and more Oscar-worthy recipes you can download. If you want a super casual menu, go with the celebs favorite---hot dogs! Pink's Hot Dogs are the "hot dogs to the stars" but if you can't get them where you live, here's their menu.
THE FUN: Check out the catty comments and Monday morning's watercooler gossip during the legendary Oscar"pre-game" shows--- guests can bet on who will make the best and worst dressed lists and vote on winners with an official Oscar ballot. Set up a snack bar with big bowls of popcorn, candies, cookies and other treats for guests to snack on as they watch the show. Give out prizes like movie tickets and DVD's for best costume and best dressed. Make a red carpet photo booth so every guest gets a photo with their own trophy to take home.
PRINT OUT AN OFFICIAL OSCAR BALLOT
Check out the Official Academy Awards site or MSN's Guide to the Academy Awards for all of the nominees, Oscar buzz and more.