There are so many fantastic music awards these days, from The Grammy’s to the CMAs and everything in between. These award shows provide a great opportunity to host your own watch party. Here’s a few DIY tips on how to host a music themed watch party:
The Invite
Well, of course it needs to be music themed. I’d recommend gold or platinum and black as your primary colors as I think of records going gold or platinum. Be sure to include ALL the details in your invite (date, time, location, parking instructions, what to bring, games/activities).
If you prefer to send an actual paper invite, I like using Etsy or Canva to get a quick design and send it to my local printer or supply store like Staples. Most of the time, I think it’s fine to send an email or text to invite your crowd. Again, I use Etsy or Canva to make a stunning text graphic with all the details to share with my friends. Or, I usually prefer to send an Evite via email and get RSVPs so that I have all the details and responses in one place. It’s up to you.
Check out this fun text invite by Etsy:
Optional Theme Addition: You can ask your attendees to come dressed up as their favorite nominee! For this year, that could mean dressing in a group as the iconic Aerosmith, sporting a high ponytail like Ariana Grande, or even wearing a wedding dress in honor of Lizzo in her “Truth Hurts” music video. Then, everyone can guess who other guests are dressed up as and vote for their favorite costume. (See games / challenges below)
Décor
You’ll want to stick with the music theme throughout the entire evening, but you can mix it up a bit. For example, choose different genres to decorate throughout each room guests will be in. You can set up a backdrop and some props and get ready to laugh because you’re going to get some great photos! Don’t forget to decorate the guest bathroom! You can have some real “cheeky” fun in there.
For example, in your entryway, set up a Red Carpet for guest arrivals (this one is $60) that you can reuse for many events. You may want to have a cutout of your favorite artist to stand with your guests for a photo opportunity.
80’s Rock Room: You can certainly do a throwback room to include your favorite 80’s genre room. I love 80’s Rock, so I’d put some photos of my favorite 80’s Rock Bands like Motley Crue, Guns & Roses, Poison, etc. You could have some fun dressing up a mannequin or have a friend dress up in an 80’s tribute outfit, wig included, to be your bartender, help serve, etc.
What to Serve: Food & Drinks
Let’s be honest, the food and drinks are the best part of any party. Charcuterie boards are a great way to feed a crowd. Depending on the size of your party, you can make a big or small board. A lot of folks call these "graze boards" because people stand around and graze during an event.
See some great examples on our Pinterest board here!
Some of my favorite choices to place on a charcuterie board include the following:
Cheese: (pick 3 - 4 different types)
- Honey Goat Cheese (another good combo is Goat Cheese with Cranberry)
- Manchego
- Aged Cheddar
- Havarti
- Smoked Gouda
- Brie (baked or regular)
Crackers: (pick 2 - 3)
- Nut-thins or Water Crackers
- French Baguette
- Pita Crackers
Meat: (pick 3 - 4)
- Pepperoni Slices
- Prosciutto
- Salami Slices
- Summer Sausage
Fruit: (pick 3)
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Dried Apricots
- Mango
Veggies: (pick 3)
- Small Dill Pickles
- Cucumbers Sliced
- Baby Carrots
- Red Peppers
- Marinated Olives
Condiments: (pick 2-3)
- Apricot Preserves
- Mustard
- Hummus
- Strawberry Preserves
- Chipotle or Jalapeno Preserves
Nuts and Herbs: (pick 2)
- Salted Pistachios
- Almonds
- Dry Roasted Peanuts
- Thyme or Rosemary for a little greenery
Be sure to put signage out so that folks know what’s on the board (especially if they have dietary issues). Since most award shows are long, guests will certainly graze through the entire evening, so the charcuterie board will take over the majority of the table, and the sweets will be brought out as the show begins coming to a close.
And let's talk dessert! It wouldn’t be a proper party without some sweets to finish off the night. You can make your treats festive by designing posters to stick in your cupcakes. First, bake (or order) the sweet treats of your choosing like cupcakes, brownies, cake pops, etc. Then, frost them with the color frosting that best matches your party’s aesthetic.
Finally, draw or print out a musical design for each cupcake, tape it to a toothpick, and stick the toothpick in the cupcake. Voila! Easy, cheap, and festive sweets for your Music Watch Party!
My company had the opportunity to produce Grammy Award Winner - Carrie Underwood's album launch party for her album STORYTELLER and these were specifically designed cupcakes for her single "Smoke Break."
Cocktails, Cocktails and Cocktails!
Champagne is a must – Veuve Cliquot is perfect for a watch party, but normally I like to take the more affordable route. That being said, an excellent Champagne that doesn’t break the bank is Chandon. You can also change it up and get a Sparkling Rosé like Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé. This Rosé clocks in at an affordable $21.
I like adding some flair to the drinks, so I’ll put frozen strawberries or raspberries in my sparkling wine, and of course, have orange and pineapple juice nearby.
I’ll have a bottle of Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon or Red Blend on hand as well.
But who doesn’t love a themed signature cocktail? This is a something you can usually make as a large batch before the party and it makes serving it a breeze.
The Grammy’s official spirits partner is Absolut vodka. The Grammy’s Signature Cocktail is the Absolut Cosmo Mule, or I would call it “The Music Mule” at my party.
"The Music Mule"
Ingredients:
1⅓ Parts Absolut Vodka
1 Part Cranberry Juice
Ginger Beer
1 Wedge Orange
Ice Cubes
How to mix: Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Wait until your guest is ready for the cocktail and then top off with the Ginger Beer and garnish with an orange wedge.
If you want a specific event cocktail, here are a few options: Grammy Inspired Cocktails
Games: Guess the winners for each of the big categories and whoever wins gets a prize!
Have everyone chip in something for their bet. This could be a couple dollars, a gift card, a bottle of wine or even a new lipstick or their favorite beauty product, really anything of their choosing! Then, have a scoreboard of whose picks are correct throughout the night, and the person with the most correct guesses wins the pot of goodies!
Whatever you decide to do, make the night fun, memorable and enjoy your time together.
Well, that’s all I have for now.