A star-studded atmosphere with all the glitz and glamour of Tinsel Town is one of this year's sure-fire prom decorating ideas. Here's how to let guests feel more like movie stars.    By Wendy Moyle

"Lights, camera, action!" That famous phrase, signaling the beginning of a movie scene, will be ringing through the halls and ballrooms of America this year, as the fabulous excitement and glitter of Hollywood becomes a popular theme for that big event of a high school student's life — prom. With opulence and extravagance to spare, the Hollywood theme creates a lavish atmosphere to spark memories that will live on long after the last dance is over.

You have many aspects of the scenery and props to consider: the invitations, welcoming entrance, the overall room décor, table decorations, and party favors. Before you start your planning, be sure to choose your event's color scheme. To achieve the classic aura of the golden age of Hollywood, choose either black and gold, or black and silver, and then add accents with doses of red for extra star power. Now that we've taken care of the color-tone basics, here are some detailed suggestions to help you plot out the rest of your event and to ensure the finale is completely convincing.

	Director's Cut - It's easy to fill your special-occasion party with the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, using Stumps' Hollywood Star Invitation.

Take One: Invitations
Let guests know that your night in Hollywood will be a blockbuster event with the invitation. Both Hollywood and star-theme invitations are a perfect way to accomplish this. For extra sparkle, insert a sprinkling of Hollywood or starry confetti inside each invitation. Next, choose a slogan to use in your invitations, so that the message closely ties in with your decorations and favors. Some ideas include: "A Night of Glitter, Glam & Glitz," "Hollywood Stars," "Lights, Camera, Action," "Hollywood Nights," "Tinsel Town Tribute," and "Red Carpet Affair."

Take Two: Room Decorations
Roll out the red carpet for guests to make a grand entrance to your night in Hollywood. After all, this is their night to shine. You can use either the Red Aisle Runner or red flat paper to make everyone's "red carpet" dream come to life. For extra shine, lay twinkle lights or chase lights along the perimeter of the carpet. You can almost see the paparazzi lining the entrance, clamoring for a front-page shot!

Next, display a Hollywood marquee to put your event up in lights and to let guests feel like movie stars arriving at a star-studded premiere! Silver or gold metallic curtains can provide the finishing touch to your entrance — place them over doorways so that guests have to brush past them on their way to your fabulous Hollywood set.

On the inside, transform your space by covering up unadorned surfaces with one of an assortment of Hollywood-theme backdrops made of gossamer or star-theme background papers. Walls, doors, and even floors are ripe for these cover-ups. Theme murals are another way to bring the Hollywood Hills to your neighborhood. Die-cut stars look beautiful when suspended, seemingly in midair, by monofilament line hung from ceilings. Alternatively, you can create a breathtaking ceiling display with gossamer.

There are many other show-stopping decorations that you can choose to add pizzazz to your Hollywood theme, including a Hollywood Spotlight, Movie Star Pavilion, Giant Clapboard, Giant Camera, Hollywood Hills Backdrop, Film Rolls, 3-D Stars, Hollywood Arches, and chic Columns. These spectacular decorating items create stunning focal points and great photo backdrops, while they also add convincing layers of Hollywood, in your event room.

	Lights, Camera, Action! Stumps' Director's Clapboard Centerpiece is sure to be a blockbuster.

Take Three: Table Decorations
Set an opulent table with metallic table covers and table skirting in your theme colors. For a glamorous touch, create a table runner with Hollywood or star-theme gossamer. Next, cover chairs and create chair bows and tails with the gossamer.

Create an eye-catching display on your tables using a Hollywood prop for a centerpiece, such as the director's clapboard. Design custom napkins (featuring your invitation slogan) for the event; classic black napkins with either a silver or gold imprint would coordinate best. Next, tie a piece of star garland around the napkins for a unique napkin holder. Finally, add plenty of votive candles to your tables for lots of sparkle.

Stumps has been America's premiere party and prom supplier since 1926, with more than 33,000 products, including unique decorating items and a full line of personalized products for purchase. Stumps also offers a free 2004 Prom & Party Catalog for inspiration and ideas, and you can e-mail them your party-decorating questions, which they will be happy to answer. Visit them on-line at StumpsProm.com or call (800) 348-5084. Stumps also has additional web sites, including ShindigZ.com (for theme parties, weddings, holidays, and birthdays), StumpsSpirit.com (homecoming and spirit supplies) and EverythingElementary.com (incentives, spirit items, and fundraisers for elementary schools).

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