When it comes to acting awards, the Oscar is Hollywood's highest honor.

The same goes for awards shows — the Oscars are one of the most-watched televised awards shows around the world.

Celebrities go all out for the event too. There is almost as much buzz about who is wearing what and where they are partying afterward as there is about who takes home the award.

Why should America's rich and famous have all the fun? The Oscars provide a good reason for anyone to get dressed up and party. Here's how you can throw a bash to rival Jon Stewart's after party.

The right atmosphere

Everyone deserves a night of feeling famous once in a while. Set up your party so your guests feel like celebrities. If you're feeling ambitious, you could make your own red carpet using fabric or construction paper. But in all honesty, the decor doesn't matter that much.

The thing that is really going to set the tone is what everyone is wearing. Have all your partygoers dress up. Once your high school dance days are over, there are not enough reasons to get your hair done and wear glamorous clothes.

Festive refreshments

It's true, a lot of parties revolve around the beverages. Yours will revolve around the Oscars, but drinks are sure to be a part of it. To go along with the fancy theme you should skip the keg and go with something like champagne. If splurging is something you're into, buy the real stuff. If you have a budget, go for the cheaper, imitation champagne otherwise known as "sparkling wine." Or buy the even cheaper non-alcoholic version.

One drawback of the imitation stuff is that after New Year's celebrations, there usually isn't a wide selection. If the sparkling wine available doesn't suit your tastes, you can make your own. Buy your favorite cheap wine and mix in some Sprite.

Fancy hors d'oeuvres

Almost as essential to a party as the proper beverages are the appetizers. No ritzy party is complete without some hors d' oeuvres. Cheese and crackers are always a good idea. Avoid things like potato chips and pretzels since that is what you would eat at any ordinary gathering. Fancy dips with crackers are a good idea, especially if you've already got the crackers to go with the cheese. Balance out the carb fest with some grapes — your guests will feel like Roman gods eating them.

Here are some recipes to get you started:

Ritz "Bruschetta"

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped plum tomatoes

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1 tablespoon Italian dressing

2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

36 Ritz Crackers

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix tomatoes, cheese, onions and dressing.

Spoon 2 tablespoons of the tomato mixture onto each cracker, and sprinkle with cheeses.

Place crackers on baking sheet.

Bake eight to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve warm.

Makes 3 dozen Ritz Bruschettas.

Recipe thanks to www.nabiscoworld.com/ritz.

Three-Cheese Quiche Bites

Ingredients:

40 snack crackers — finely crushed

4 eggs

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan and Romano cheese blend

1/4 cup chopped parsley

3 tablespoons melted butter

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix cracker crumbs with butter.

Put crumb mixture into a 13-by-9 inch pan to create crust; bake for eight to 10 minutes until golden.

Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the crumb layer; follow that with a layer of red peppers and then sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese over the layers.

Beat the eggs with the milk, mustard and parsley.

Pour egg mixture evenly over the last layer of cheese in the pan.

Sprinkle the Parmesan and Romano cheese blend on top.

Bake 30-35 minutes.

Let stand for 10 minutes and cut into squares; serve warm.

Makes four servings.

Recipe thanks to www.mrbreakfast.com.

Keep your guests busy

To set your party apart, plan some activities ahead of time — beer pong and flip cup are classics, but they don't fit in with the party's upscale theme.

If drinking games are a must, create an Oscars related-one. Have guests fill out a ballot with their picks for the winners ahead of time, and whenever someone is wrong take a drink.

You could expand this to drinking whenever the music cuts off someone's speech, or Jon Stewart makes you laugh — the possibilities are endless.

Since the attire, food and drink are up to par with the celebrities, why not give out some awards too? Make categories like Biggest Drama Queen and Best Romantic Relationship and nominate your friends. Have everyone at the party vote on the winners. The acceptance speeches are sure to be hilarious.