The Envelope, Please: Invitations
- Use a piece of Mylar mirrored paper; address it, "And the winner is..."
- Using a gold metallic pen, inscribe invitations with lines from Oscar®-winning films. "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
- Print invites on a red carpet swatch.
- For a black-tie invite, punch two holes in a piece of cardstock, thread a piece of thick black ribbon through the holes and tie it into a bow tie.
The Set
- Repurpose the silver Swell Glitterati shower curtain from Target as a shining overlay for a bar.
- The Swell ice bucket, melamine trays and pearlized pitchers and tumblers add splash, too.
- Switch the family photos in the living room with shots of your true loved ones—this year's nominees.
- You could also buy some new frames—try the Swell Swinging Squares Frame that looks like a mini version of Hollywood Squares and has room for four celebrities. The photos are, of course, autographed to you (or by you): "Wish I could be there! Luv, Charlize."
Ambiance, Dahling
- Put out a red-carpet welcome mat to lead your guests to the door.
- Deputized a best friend to snap your guests with a Polaroid as they make their entrance.
- Dress up the powder room with props from the make-up trailer: rhinestone jewelry, tiaras, sunglasses, red lipsticks, fake mustaches, beauty marks and a wig or two that'll inspire guests to start hamming and vamping.
- During the pre-show show, turn off the sound and play some feel-good Oscar®-winning soundtracks: Chicago, Titanic, The Godfather, Casablanca, etc.
The Oprah Winfrey Show
Harpo Films
For One More Day
The Great Debaters
O, The Oprah Magazine
O at Home
Oprah & Friends
Oprah's Angel Network
Oprah's Book Club