1. Curate a Nominee-Inspired Menu
Move beyond generic chips and dip by creating a menu that winks at this year’s biggest shows. For the creepy comedy breakout “Widow’s Bay,” which is a major contender this year, you could serve a spooky-themed dip or a seafood dish. A sophisticated spread
of small, elegant bites would be a perfect nod to the final season of “Hacks,” while a gritty, Pittsburgh-inspired dish like pierogies or loaded fries could honor the heavily nominated medical drama “The Pitt.” The key is to have fun with the connections. You can even make little signs explaining the link between the food and the show, giving your guests a culinary tour of this year’s television landscape.
2. Mix Some Show-Stopping Cocktails
Every great party needs a signature drink. Instead of just pouring wine, design a couple of cocktails themed around the 2026 nominees. Create “The Pluribus,” a futuristic, brightly colored drink for the dystopian Apple TV+ drama, perhaps using butterfly pea flower tea for a color-changing effect. For “Hacks,” a classic, top-shelf martini feels appropriately Deborah Vance. For a non-alcoholic option, a “Widow’s Bay” brew could be a dark, spiced iced tea or a mocktail with blackberry and mint. Naming your drinks after the shows adds a layer of thematic fun that gets everyone into the spirit of the night.
3. Print Smart, Specific Ballots
Printable ballots are a party classic for a reason, but you can make yours better. Instead of just listing the main categories, add some prop bets specific to the 2026 ceremony. The show airs Monday, September 14 on NBC and Peacock, hosted by Mariska Hargitay. So, your ballot could include questions like: “How many times will Hargitay reference ‘Law & Order’?” or “Will Harrison Ford finally win his first competitive Emmy for ‘Shrinking’?” You can also add squares for predicting the biggest upset, the longest acceptance speech, or who will get played off by the music first. Offer a fun, silly prize for the person with the most correct guesses, like a bottle of sparkling wine or a fake Emmy statuette.
4. Roll Out the (DIY) Red Carpet
Give your guests the full star treatment from the moment they arrive. A simple red tablecloth or a roll of red paper from a party store can instantly transform your entryway into a red carpet. You can even set up a fun photo backdrop with gold streamers or balloons. Encourage guests to dress up—either in their red-carpet best or as a character from a nominated show. As they arrive, you can play interviewer, asking them “who they’re wearing” or which show they’re rooting for. It’s a low-effort, high-impact way to set a festive tone for the night.
5. Play a TV Theme Song Playlist
Before the broadcast begins, set the mood with a killer playlist of television theme songs. Mix iconic themes from past Emmy winners with the scores and opening credit music from this year’s nominees. Include the memorable soundtracks from shows like “The Pitt,” “Pluribus,” “Widow’s Bay,” and “Hacks.” You can even turn it into a game, offering a small prize to the guest who can name the most themes correctly. It’s a great conversation starter and gets everyone thinking about the shows they love before the awards are even handed out.
6. Set Up Commercial Break Hot Takes
The Emmys broadcast is long, and commercial breaks can kill the party’s momentum. Use them to your advantage. Designate each commercial break as a time for “hot takes.” Have guests share their reactions to the winners so far, critique the fashion, or debate the host’s jokes. This keeps everyone engaged and turns the lulls in the show into some of the most interactive parts of your party. You can keep it informal or even have a “talking stick” to pass around, ensuring everyone gets a chance to share their two cents.
7. Create a “Where Have I Seen Them?” Board
Throughout the night, you'll hear guests ask, “What else was she in?” Be prepared with a “Where Have I Seen Them?” board. Print out headshots of key nominees—like Rhea Seehorn from “Pluribus,” Matthew Rhys from “Widow’s Bay,” and Jean Smart from “Hacks”—and pin them to a corkboard. Next to each picture, list a few of their other well-known roles. It’s a helpful visual aid that settles those tip-of-the-tongue debates and enriches the viewing experience by reminding everyone of the actors' impressive careers.
