No matter what season it is, there’s a good chance there’s a televised awards show just around the corner. Whether it’s the Oscars in the winter, the Tony’s in the summer, or the Emmys in the fall, there’s always an awards event on the horizon that could give you the perfect excuse to throw a watch party.
If you’ve never hosted people to watch an awards show at your home before, you might be wondering: just what is a watch party, and how can I throw one that is fun and unique? Try thinking bigger than just serving some food and turning on the TV. Instead, create an unforgettable event for your loved ones by using decor, activities, food and drink menus, theming, and more. That way, your party will get your guests in the spirit of the event and give them a party experience they won’t forget.
If you’re ready to throw an awards show watch party for an upcoming event, here is your guide: follow it for ideas on how to plan, what to set up and ways you can entertain your friends.
Decide on the Awards Show to Watch
The first step to throwing a viewing party is choosing what event you’ll view. Some of the most popular award shows to have a viewing party for include the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the Grammys, the Emmys, and the Tony’s. But, did you know there are a lot more televised events than just these major shows? Some good examples are the Country Music Awards (in November), the Video Music Awards s (in August), the Kids’ Choice Awards (in March), and the ESPYS Sports Awards (in July). Check the calendar to see the air date for awards show you want to have a watch party for, then note the date and get ready to start planning. Once you’ve decided what you’re viewing, you can start making your arrangements and inviting guests.
Pick a Venue
The next step to planning an awards show watch party is picking where you’ll watch it. Do you have enough room in front of your living room TV for everyone to sit and see it comfortably? If not, consider contacting a local venue that has a private space with a TV and ask if you can book the room for the night. If possible, hosting a party at home is an excellent budget-friendly option for an awards party, and it’s also a good way to create a completely themed experience for your guests. Alternatively, you can help boost the theming of the event by choosing a venue that relates to the content of the awards show. Are you watching the Grammys? Consider having an event at a karaoke bar. Are you watching the BAFTAs? Consider watching at a traditional British Pub. Choose the venue that both suits your budget, as well as one that is fitting for the feel of the eve.
Invite People
Once you know when and where your viewing party is going to be, it’s time to send out the invites. You can create custom invitations where you add in your party’s theme, location, date, time, and extra helpful information. Consider going all out with your invitation theming: you can make your guests feel like they’re getting an invite to the event itself, and not just a party at your home.
Buy the Supplies
Once you’ve sent invitations and then gotten RSVPs from your guests, it’s time to buy supplies for the party. First, make sure you have enough food and beverages for everyone. Then, get any items you’ll need for activities or games you want to play. Some great ideas for games at a viewing party include:
- Charades: Have participants act out scenes from nominated movies
- Pick the winners: A “betting” game to see who can guess the most winners in advance.
- Bingo: Create bingo cards with different nominees on them, then let people cross off the nominees as the show goes. Anyone who gets Bingo (a whole row of winners) wins a prize!
- Party Awards: Make your own viewing party an awards party by giving out awards at the end recognizing people for their behavior or accomplishments at the party. Some ideas could be best dressed, most knowledgeable about the industry that the awards are in, and more.
- Theme-related games: Have people participate in activities related to the theme of the awards show. If it is a music awards show, have people belt out their favorite song and let everyone vote on the best, American Idol style. Watching the Screen Actors’ Guild Awards? Have participants act like a famous movie star, then have guests guess who they are. Tailoring your game to the theme of the awards show helps boost the spirit of the occasion.
Ask anyone who throws a lot of parties and they’ll give you this tip: Use disposable or compostable paper plates and silverware. This helps ensure the cleanup process isn’t arduous and that you don’t have to spend the whole next day washing dishes.
Plan the Menu
Consider sticking to a theme with the food, whether that is to have fried chicken and Southern food at the Country Music Awards or foods matching each movie nominated at a film awards show. Alternatively, plan cocktails that are paired with the content of the show. A strong bourbon cocktail is a good choice for the International Blues Awards, while a Pimm’s Cup may be fitting for the BRIT Awards. Once you’ve planned your menu and know how many attendees you’ll have, you have a good idea about how many groceries you’ll need when the day of the event rolls around.
Set Up the Viewing Party
Once it’s the day of the awards show, start setting up your home! You may want to prepare your living room or the space where your TV is with chairs and pillows so that it’s comfortable for everyone to sit in and watch. Alternatively, decorate your space to match the feel of the evening. If you’re throwing a movie star-level, Hollywood-themed gala for the Oscars, dress up your space with sequins, twinkle lights, and gold accents. If you’re having a kids’ party for the Kids’ Choice Awards, bean bags and bright colored balloons will pair perfectly.
Have Fun!
When it’s time for the viewing party, just make sure you have fun! Guests pick up on the vibes of the hosts, and if you’re having a great time, they will be, too. Serve drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a meal. Tune into the event and watch as people receive their awards. Play games while the show is on, during commercial breaks, or before it starts. By having the show on, hosting activities, and providing food, you’ll give people plenty to enjoy in order to have a good time.
Zazzle’s Lifestyle Expert is here to help create life’s best & most important moments. Discover unique ideas and endless inspiration to create meaningful memories with family, friends and your community.
