Roll out the red carpet, put on an outfit of sequins and chiffon and prepare for the best show of awards season: The Oscars (or Academy Awards, depending on who you talk to). Since the "little people" aren't usually invited to Hollywood for Oscar night, it's time to throw a party worthy of such a night of celebration, complete with glitz, glamour and fun.

Invites and dress code
Although it'd be fun to invite everyone you know to a party, be selective for Oscar night. It's like the Superbowl, only for movies. Not everyone enjoys the football game, just like not everyone will enjoy the hours of award giving, plus the preshow, red carpet and a little bit of the aftershow.

Since it is a night of being over-the-top, tell your guests it's a formal event, black-tie necessary. Tell them to act like their favorite star and dress accordingly. Now if someone idolizes Bjork or Lara Flynn Boyle, well, to each her own.

Or, if black-tie isn't your thing, have a night of fashion disasters. Have your guests wear outfits that Melissa and Joan Rivers would rip apart or have everyone asking Monday morning "What was she/he thinking?"

Ambiance
Decorations are key if you want to be in step with Hollywood's trendiest parties. Black, silver and white are the norm for an old Hollywood-feel and classy all around.

Dress up the room with streamers and confetti. Although it could be a hassle to clean up, it looks pretty. Try going overboard on the movie posters on the walls. Have a few movie stars join you by posting headshots or cutting out actors from magazines.

But possibly the most appropriate decorative accessory would be a red carpet. It'd probably be too difficult, and absolutely ridiculous, to actually have your residence re-carpeted in red, but a couple of cheap red welcome mats lined up would do.

Welcome your guests with a photo paparazzi-style (lots of flash and a few calls of how to pose) when they first arrive too.

Food and drinks
No one expects you to really cook. Try getting ready made platters of food from your local grocery store along with the normal chips and dip or a cheese platter.

Or try a themed pot luck. Have your guests create a dish with a movie or celebrity as its inspiration, like a dish with different preparations of shrimp with Bubba from "Forrest Gump" in mind or spaghetti a la "Lady and the Tramp" or order up a pizza from "Mystic Pizza."

As for the drinks, the sky's the limit depending on your budget. A selection of pre-made cocktails or martinis would be an alternative to having to create drinks on the spot, unless there's someone attending willing to act as bartender.

A simple celebratory champagne could be on the menu. It's an appropriate, although sometimes expensive, drink for an awards show.

Fun and games
Sure the Academy Awards take center stage during its three-hour time period, but there's plenty of down time before, during and after the show to schedule activities.

The walking of the real Oscar red carpet begins at 5 p.m. and the games can begin. Have sheets of paper ready for your guests to cast a vote as to who were the best and worst dressed stars at the 2007 Oscars. The tally can be taken either at the end of the night or in between the end of the pre-show and beginning of the real show. There's also the option of rating best and worst dressed at your own party, but make sure it's all in fun.

Everyone would love to be an actual Oscar voter, so give guests a chance to make their own predictions with a ballot before the show starts. Choose five to 10 categories, with a tie-breaker just in case, and give the winner a prize. It could be anything that goes along with the Oscars, a small Oscar statue or a gift card for example.

During commercials, a movie trivia game would be a fun way to spend time. This year's official Oscar poster has some of the greatest quotes in movie history imprinted on it; see if your party can put the quotes with the respective movie. There's also 79 years' worth of movies, nominees and movies available for multiple choice questions that can be answered in teams or individually.

A game of "Guess Who" celebrity-style can be another option. Write the names of some of the more popular actors and actress and put them in a bowl. Have everyone draw out a name and have everyone guess everyone else's identity. Only yes or no questions are permitted.

The end of the show
Every award show must come to an end, and as your party comes to a close, celebrities are just heading out.

It'd be a nice sentiment to have small gift bags for your guests, but obviously not a requirement. You can fill them with candy or a mix CD of all the nominated songs, just be sure it's something to make the party memorable.

Oscar night is on a Sunday, so try not to party too hard before work or school. I don't think your boss/teacher will appreciate an excuse like "I took the loss of [blank] award hard. I don't think I'll make it in today."