Sunday marks Hollywood’s biggest night of the year. The Academy Awards will be handed out to the best of the best amongst pomp, circumstance and a ton of glitz and glam. All while the rest of us watch from our unswanky living rooms.
But, it doesn’t have to be that way.
You don’t have to rake in the income of Ben Affleck, Sandra Bullock, or Kristen Stewart in order to make Oscar night a class act. Frugalistas can have fun celebrating Oscar as well with the following party tips:
Décor: Raid the Dollar Store or your closets for red, plastic tablecloths that you can tape on the floor to make a mock red carpet. Post-Valentine’s Day sales are great places to pick-up red, white and silver plates, streamers, balloons, and other decorations you can use for your Oscar night party. Accent the room with gold touches, including vases covered with gold wrapping paper or recycle gold stars from Christmas.
Dress: Instead of having your guests don expensive tuxedos and fancy gowns, invite them to wear old prom or bridesmaid dresses and thrift shop suits. Make it fun by voting on the most glam-looking outfit that was pieced together from Goodwill, the Salvation Army or consignment stores.
Dining: Hosting an Academy Awards viewing party can be pricey especially if you are supplying all the food and beverages. To reduce your expenses consider making the shindig a potluck. Have guests bring their favorite finger food; you can even provide some recommended recipes in your invitation. For example, for an easy and affordable Raspberry Brie Tart preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place two (2-ounce) packages of frozen phyllo pastry shells on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cut 8 ounces of Brie cheese into small cubes, and then place one cube in each shell. Top each with a little raspberry jam. Bake the shells for about 6 minutes. Serve warm.