How To Throw A Record-Breaking Grammys Party (Slideshow)
All you really need for a killer Grammys party are friends, food, plenty of cocktails, and a TV. The theme is already covered: You're throwing a Grammys party. Thus, you need to dress like a pop star, get your photo taken on the "red carpet" and sit among gold records and music notes.
Encourage Guests to Dress for the Occasion
The Grammys are well-known for their outrageous fashion sense; they've given us everything from Jennifer Lopez's plunging green Versace dress to Lady Gaga in an egg. Your friends don't have to rock crazy designer dresses, but encourage them to either dress like their favorite nominee or in something truly glamorous.
Make a Photo Booth
Once your friends are red-carpet-ready, you need to make sure their outfits will be shown to the world. Set up a photo booth in your home for friends to enjoy when they arrive. For props, use records, microphones, cardboard Grammys, and masks of some of your favorite nominees.
To read "How to Make Your Own Party-Perfect Photo Booth (for Cheap!)," click here.
Decorate Your Home
The Grammys are the biggest night in music, so decorating your home accordingly is fairly commonsense. Plaster your walls with gold records, roll out a red carpet, and make cutout cookies or pieces of fruit in the shape of music notes and microphones.
Create a Playlist
A Grammys watch party would be incomplete without music, of course. Before your guests arrive, prepare a mix of your favorite nominated artists and tracks. Standout songs this year include cuts from Adele, Beyoncé, Drake, Chance the Rapper, Justin Bieber, and The Chainsmokers. As your friends mingle before the show, put on the playlist and crank the volume to 11.
Pour Some Lemonade
It may be the middle of winter, but there's no drink more Grammy-appropriate than a big glass of lemonade, in honor of Beyoncé's standout album of the same name. Whether you decide to mix up a glass of freshly squeezed lemons, water, and sugar yourself or spike your lemonade with something a little boozy, this drink is a must-have.
Craft Other Award-Worthy Cocktails
The Grammys are all about celebrating the music industry, and it's well-known that musicians know how to party. Make sure you have a fully stocked bar and variety of mixers so your guests will never be wanting for a drink.
To learn how to stock your bar for entertaining, click here.
Serve an International Menu
Even if you just look at the "big four" categories (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist), the Grammys are truly global. You have Adele from England, Drake and Justin Bieber from Canada, Rihanna from Barbados, and Lukas Graham from Denmark. Channel this international perspective by serving up dishes from these home countries, such as poutine (Canada), cou-cou (Barbados), and scones (England).
Play Party Games
Keep your games simple for the Grammys. For instance, you can play a drinking game, where you take a sip for every predictable Grammys event. (James Corden does "Carpool Karaoke"; there are audio problems during a performance; Beyoncé ends up performing, etc.). You can also set out ballots and have your guests predict the winners in the televised categories. Whoever guesses the most awards correctly will win a prize at the end of the night.
Tune Into the Show
You can't have a Grammys watch party without watching the Grammys. (Duh.) When the show finally airs (Sunday, Feb. 12, at 8 p.m. EST), be sure to turn your TV to CBS, crank the volume up loud, and get comfy. The Grammys are always filled with surprises, so sit back and enjoy!