4 Tips for an Ultimate Award Show Party

(Family Features) Glitz, glamour and good friends are the perfect ingredients to make the 2016 award show season one to remember. As any A-lister knows, hosting the perfect party is all in the details.

Set the stage for an award-worthy evening with dazzling decor accessorized perfectly with festive food to enjoy while you check out the latest red carpet fashions on Hollywood’s elite.

Red carpet ready. Create your own paparazzi experience with a faux red carpet guiding guests to the entrance, where a strobe light simulates the steady flash of frenzied photographers. Once inside, usher guests to a DIY photo-booth complete with a glitzy backdrop and award show-themed props that guests can don to capture memories of the evening frame by frame. There are dozens of options online to help you create your very own photo booth, whether you want to take the pics on your digital camera or use an app on your smartphone with Wi-Fi printing and social media sharing capabilities. 

Bring the bling. Let your inner glamour girl go wild with Hollywood-themed party accessories. Bejeweled serving platters and centerpieces with sparkling crystals are just the start. Compliment the glistening decor with plates and serving ware in metallic tones that mimic the iconic trophies. Top it all off with a touch of whimsy by serving up snacks in trophy-shaped vessels, and labeling food on little signs designed to look like miniature film clapperboards.

Food fit for stars. Build your menu around this year’s nominees, giving dishes clever monikers that coincide with your favorite lines and scenes. And remember no menu for a film-inspired fete is complete without the popcorn. Treat your guests to new, delicious Smartfood Delight® Sea Salted Caramel Popcorn. The lightly sweetened, mouth-watering popcorn is 35 calories per cup and made with 100 percent whole grain. With no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, it is a perfect snack option for any party. Discover all of the tasty flavors you can incorporate into a star-gazing celebration at smartfood.com.

Sweet seats. Be sure guests are ready to get cozy for an extended stay with comfy seating for all. If couch and chair space is at a premium, add plush pillows and blankets to make floor seating a lavish experience. In tight quarters, you can also consider adding a viewing screen in a second room, such as the kitchen, where guests are likely to congregate over refreshments.

With a little advance planning, you can transform your home into a Hollywood party headquarters where you and fellow revelers can gasp and cheer with each nail-biting moment. 

Photo courtesy of Getty Images