We hope you’re as excited as we are to find out who will bag the little gold man at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony on 25 February 2019. The Oscars is one of the most anticipated and glamorous events of the year, from showstopping dresses and tuxedo swag to inspiring speeches, and moments we remember for years to come. So whether you plan to stay up until the early hours to watch it in real time, or if you wait until the next weekend (so you can gloat about how all your predictions came true), we have the ultimate guide to host your own Oscars party with minimal effort and maximum style.
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1. And The Invitation Goes To…
Invite all your movie-buff friends to partake in your Hollywood festivities. Even if they haven’t been caught up in all of the Oscars buzz, it’s an excuse to dress up, eat great food, and chat amongst friends.
2. Have A Dress Code
Black tie? Cocktail dress? You decide the dress code but make it clear that your guests should arrive in something comfortable without forgoing style– it’s the Oscars, after all. Black and white with a touch of gold is a chic and timeless theme. When it comes to your own outfit, though, dress to impress but pair style with comfort. You want to be able to host your party without breaking an ankle.
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3. Best Guessed
Set up some Oscars-themed games, such as Oscar Bingo and Guess The Soundtrack, or simply let your guests predict the winners for the most exciting categories. Whatever it is, give it a showbiz twist and include prizes for those who win!
4. Plenty Of Fizz
Keep the champagne on ice with glasses ready to be filled as your guests arrive. For dessert, why not have a sweets bar dedicated to after-dinner treats? Turkish delight, mini doughnuts, nougat, marshmallows, and cupcakes decorated with gold glitter will help set the tone for a classy affair.
Mini Frosted Doughnuts, R19,99, Woolworths
5. Plate Up
No party is complete without food, but rather than supplying it all yourself (we live in tough times), invite your guests to bring a dish of their own to share. You can even turn it into a competition and make it worth their time and effort by offering prizes like Best Appetizer, Best Salad in a Supporting Role, and Best Dessert! Or, if you want to be like Ellen Degeneres and order pizza for your Oscars party, that’s okay too!
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6. Roll Out The Red Carpet
It isn’t Hollywood without a little glitter and glam, so spend some time transforming your space. This means setting the mood with accents that will remind guests of Hollywood in its heyday. Balloons, confetti, serviettes and party favours will all help to create that party atmosphere.
Gold Christmas Confetti Balloons, R54 for five balloons, Ginger Ray
Paper Confetti Pack, R29,99, Mr Price Home
Super Shape Gold Letter O Foil Balloon, from R134,90, Party Spot
Celebrate Paper Snack Plates, R29,99 for pack of 10, Mr Price Home
7. Set The Scene
Have fun and announce each guest’s arrival by playing the 20th Century Fox theme song. Not only will your friends feel like stars, but it will give you an opportunity to hand them their first glass of champers. Also, no party is complete without a killer playlist– so take yours seriously. Keep in mind that you’re not wanting to encourage table-dancing. The idea is to play music that will keep the mood upbeat without distracting guests from the night’s events.
8. Sit Back and Celebrate
If you make it to 3am (or if you’ve managed to convince everyone to wait until your party to watch it), turn on the Oscars and enjoy. You’ll have done everything you need to ensure that yours is the best Oscars party yet.
The Oscars will broadcast live on 25 February at 03:00 on M-Net Movies Premiere (DStv Channel 104), with a delayed Prime Time broadcast in the evening of the same day at 21:00 on M-Net 101.
Compiled by Food and Decor Editor, Claire Badenhorst
