Golden Globe Awards 2017: Viewing Party

Every year since graduating college I have hosted viewing parties for the Golden Globes, Oscars and Emmys. This year, the Golden Globes were about two weeks earlier than usual. Because the broadcast was so soon after the holidays, I felt like I didn't have as much time to prepare as I typically do. Normally, I spend a good chunk of January treasure hunting for decor items. All that being said, as they say in the industry, the show must go on! 

When I'm preparing for one of these gatherings, I like to dress up the entry way so people feel in the party spirit the moment they arrive. This year I decided to set up a red and gold candy buffet. It was inspired by this Pinterest find. 

I knew I wanted to use candy in just those two colors, so I headed to Party City in Brighton, which has an enter aisle of candy sorted by color. For anyone planning a bridal shower or baby shower, this is the best place to find treats in specific hues. 

I picked out Hershey's Nuggets and Reese's for the gold and Sixlets, Twizzlers and jelly beans for the red. I love the height you get from the Twizzlers when you display them this way. 

For scooping, I added these wooden, polka spoons which I found at HomeGoods. They came in a three pack with black, gold and white polka dots. 

As you make your way from the entry way into the living room, there is an ottoman with a large square tray on it. Since we would be spending most of the night on the couch in front of this tray, I wanted to leave plenty of room for the food! 

I set up gold plates, geometric pattern napkins and red forks. These forks look real, but they are disposable! 

I added a vase of red roses to go with the red carpet theme. Fresh flowers instantly make any celebration feel more festive. 

On the fire place mantel I couldn't wait to show off another one of my HomeGoods finds, gilded milk bottles. 

The gold bottles looked amazing set against the jewel stone purple wall. 

On either side of the milk bottles I added red votive holders. 

Once everyone I arrived I lit the candles and the light began to dance against the wall. When I bought the tea lights to put in these candle holders I thought they were unscented. After a few minutes it was clear they were! I checked the label and discovered they were fig and honey, which actually smelled quite lovely. 

In the dining room I set up a small bar cart. 

I was overjoyed to debut my new "Let's Party" pitcher, also a HomeGoods find. 

What is a girls night without a bottle of rosé?

My favorite item on the bar cart was these napkins. 

I mean, these were meant for red carpet viewing! 

In the center of the dining room table I was excited to put out my brand new candle holder from the Crompton Collective. Guys, this piece, including the five taper candles, was $6.50. 

This year, for Hanukkah, my friend Stephanie gifted me this incredible "pop" tray which could not be more perfect. Not only do I love to use trays when I entertain, but the "pop" is a nod both to popping champagne and the first word of this blog name. 

As you may remember from years past, I always try to gussy up the bathroom too. 

This year I put out confetti hand towels and a cranberry and cherry hand soap. 

I added a few more roses in the bathroom, in a vase set I found in a garden shop in Portsmouth, NH. 

Once all the girls arrived, our chef for the evening began cooking up a storm. First she made a cauliflower appetizer that was so delicious I couldn't even stop myself long enough to snap a picture. Then she made each of us a parmesan cheese bowl (yes, you read that correctly) to fill at a DIY salad bar. 

Here is a shot of all the fixings - lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber slices, green peppers, black olives, avocado and garbanzo beans. 

Here is my salad before I dug into it. 

If you want to learn to make these amazing parmesan bowls, you can find the recipe and shaping instructions right here. 

Between the appetizers and the salad bar we were pretty stuffed by the time Jimmy Fallon's musical opener began. Once we were about a half hour in, we were ready to start thinking about dessert.

I was giddy about serving the final course because I couldn't wait to use my new black and gold striped dessert plates, also a HomeGoods find. 

We had mini chocolate eclairs (with rainbow sprinkles, but of course) and mini chocolate chip cannolis. 

The girls stayed through multiple awards, but headed out just before Viola Davis and Ryan Gosling won their trophies. Naturally they got in their cars right as the good stuff started! 

I had so much fun decorating for this soiree and I am already scheming for the Oscars on Sunday, February 26th. 

Do you host for the Golden Globes? Do you have any awards season rituals?