Award your own superstars

September 23, 2009 Bill Crotty

'Tis the season for over-the-top, celebrity-ridden award shows, so why not give the kids a self-esteem boost by hosting one in your own home?

Make invitations fit for your fancy family. Use gold stickers and metallic paint and include personalized RSVP cards that they can send back. Create nameplates with the same design on a white tablecloth-covered table the night of the big event.

Encourage everyone to use their dress-up skills to don their finest wares. If you're comfortable, allow the girls to borrow makeup when they're getting ready and give them camera-ready makeover.

Think of a specialized award for everyone and give them goodie bags as hints for their special prize. For example, give your nominee for best dressed a bag filled with costume jewelry and a feather boa.

Use a plastic microphone to announce your winners and set up a spotlight on a makeshift stage to ensure everyone can see the runway-worthy outfits and hear epic acceptance speeches.

Revamp plastic trophies with paint, glitter and stick-on jewels to make a customized award for superstar that can serve as a daily desktop reminder of how famous they are to you.