This is it, we’re in the final countdown to the 87th Academy Awards.

I can’t wait to see Neil Patrick Harris take to the stage as host.

The Oscar-week parties begin in earnest on Wednesday when actress Alfre Woodard hosts her annual pre-Oscar dinner. She’ll be toasting the accomplishments of black women in entertainment, honouring Ava DuVernay and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The guest list also includes Angela Bassett, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Octavia Spencer, Rashida Jones, Viola Davis and Zoe Saldana.

On Saturday the big ticket is the Independent Spirit Awards which are held on the beach in Santa Monica. Presenters include Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Jared Leto and Kerry Washington.

Of course there are plenty of parties after the show itself, most stars head to the Governers’ Ball before hitting the red carpet at either the Vanity Fair or Elton John events (or both). This year Elton’s got Nile Rogers and Chic performing. And if they still want to party, then the stars can head to Madonna’s ultra exclusive event that continues late into the night.

In terms of the Academy Awards themselves, it looks like every Hollywood star will be there – producers have named over 35 presenters so far.

If the parties and the celebs aren’t enough to make you jealous, this year’s nominees gift bag includes over $125,000 (£80,000) worth of freebies! They include a $20,000 gift certificate to have a one-on-one meeting with an expert on mind control techniques. If not that’s your thing, how about a luxury train ride through the Canadian Rockies, a ‘glamping trip’, a gift certificate for a custom sweet and desert buffet and a lifestyle makeover package.

It’s enough to make you feel sick…