When it comes to parties, February is an eventful month.
There's the Super Bowl party, of course. And for those interested in politics, Super Tuesday makes for a pretty good event as well. But for my money it's all about the Oscar party.
Not to be sexist, but the Academy Awards really is the Super Bowl for girls. It's a night to gather some friends, put out a spread of food and drinks and start screaming at the television and rooting for your favorites.
That's right, girls yell at the television too. Not about linebackers and touchdowns (or whatever it is that gets people all riled up about football). Nope, women are yelling about acceptance speeches ("Thank your wife, you selfish cow!") and gown choices ("Ruffles, with those hips? I think not").
Yes, Oscar night is a time for girls to be girls (read: to be catty about other women's fashion choices). And it all starts with the Oscar party.
The secret to a great Oscar party is adding little touches of glamour. Chips and beer may cut it for a Super Bowl party, but when all of Hollywood is converging on the red carpet, it's time to step it up a notch.
Of course, you can always put out a few snacks and ask guests to BYOB. But where's the fun in that? So we've got a few tips that will turn your upcoming Oscar party into a fabulous Girls Night Out.
And with the Academy Awards only a few weeks away (on Sunday, Feb. 24) now is the time to get started.
w Invitations: formal invitations let your guests know that your event is going to be something special. They don't have to be laser-printed and hand-addressed, an Evite will suffice.
w Linens: Instead of setting out your spread on your bare kitchen table, use your best tablecloth to make an upscale statement. Linen napkins are great for some added flair too or, if you don't have any, pick up some fun cocktail napkins at Target or Tuesday Morning.
w Real Dishes: If you're using linen, then use your best dishes too.
w Ballots: Give your guests ballots so they can cast their vote for their favored winners. And, as an added touch, you can hand at little prizes to those who get it right.
w Bet: Not that I condone gambling in any way, but if you want to make it interesting, ask yours guests to bring dollar bills so that you can all place a small wager on the especially competitive categories. Or create your own categories (say, who's willing to bet a dollar that Angelina Jolie will be pouting in the next shot. Or if host Jon Stewart will make a joke about Britney Spears).
w Themed martinis: Cosmopolitans, gimlets and vodka martinis are all great choice. Just get as creative as you want to be and you can even name the drinks after your favorite celebrity.
w Upscale hors d'oeuvres: Remember, no chips and dip. Instead try something a little fancier, like toasted walnut & cabrales dipped grapes, baked clam dip in a sourdough bread bowl, shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes or even a fabulous dessert like strawberries romanov.
And don't forget to tune the television to the Oscars at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. And if you're looking for more Girls Night Out ideas then checkout last month's column.
Tell us your thoughts, Richmond, will you be watching the Oscars this year? Who are you rooting for (or against)?