Did your invite to the Oscars get lost in the mail this year?

Yeah, mine too.

But don’t feel bad about it. Now, instead of fretting over what to wear, or battling road-choking traffic on the way to the Kodak Theater, you can kick back with friends and family for a night of Oscar-themed food and fun with these affordable ideas from Mary Giuliani, caterer to the stars.

Goodie Bags

Ahh, the goodie bag. What some people don’t know is that on top of wining and dining with the coolest celebs on the block and partying through the night at the most coveted soirees of the season, A-listers are treated to goodie bags, filled with everything from the latest tech gadgets to products to prettify. Would you treat your guests any differently? Here’s an idea to make your favors more affordable.

Write your guests’ names on a gold foil bag. Set the bags beside a freshly popped bowl of popcorn. Then line up glass bowls filled with your favorite theater sweets for the snacking (Mike Duds, Reese’s Pieces, Twizzlers, you get the idea). Guests can create custom popcorn and candy bags, or fill up on their favorite treats before the red carpet cattyness begins.

Best Picture Bonanza

Not sure what to feed your crowd? Select a menu associated with one of the feature films up for Oscar’s top honors. For example, since plenty of folks are rooting for Slumdog Millionaire, you could prepare an Indian inspired menu.

Make a statement with gold and accent it with bright jeweled tones to give your party a festive Indian vibe. Cocktails are a must. Keep it simple so that you’re not running around playing bartender all night.

Line up several martinis ahead of time instead of pouring on request; this will create a colorful looking bar.

Create a signature red cocktail that can be embellished with gold flakes and served easily from a pitcher — Mary’s a big fan of Stirrings Cosmopolitan mixers and you can also have 2 shakers out on the bar so guests can shake their own cocktail. Gold flakes are the perfect embellishment and will give the drinks a glamorous look.  For those that opt for a beer, fill a big bin with ice and load it up with some great organic beers. Mary also makes her signature black licorice martini dusted with gold each year.

Since everyone’s eyes will be glued to the tube, create a meal that can be eaten comfortably while sitting down in front of the tv. Bowls are best for eating on the fly. Try sticking with the “bar” theme and indulge guests with a classic favorite – a curry bar is a great way to go.

Place the curry rice in the center and in smaller bowls and have your guests customize their own curry to be as spicy or mild as they would like.  (mixers include: peanuts, apple, mango & cucumber chutney, shaved coconut, spicy yogurt).

Sweet Treat

As guests leave, have little boxes lined up with a midnight munchie.  Mary loves for guests to go home with a little goodie and recommends a little touch of chocolate (espresso brownies will give your guests a jolt to make it home).

Want to create your own party just like this one? Click here for Mary’s signature recipes.

Caterer to the stars, Mary Giuliani, knows a thing or two about what celebrities like to eat as she’s the “go to” girl in NYC for many of their big premieres and screenings. She’s pleased the palettes of Sheryl Crow, Gwen Stefani, Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman and Debra Messing, who all splurge on her shrunken indulgences like mac n cheese and her decadent espresso milk shakes. For more on Mary, please see her website. – Sarah Karl, Lifestyle Editor-at-Large

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Photo Credits: iStockPhoto, Ryan Giuliani, Elizabeth Lippman