Host a Super Super Bowl Party

Everyone watches the Super Bowl. Even for people like me, who seldom watch football, Super Bowl Sunday is an undisputed de facto American national holiday. If you don’t score coveted tickets, you’re most likely sitting at home or in a sports bar somewhere watching it on television.

In addition to championship football, there are the must-see commercials and half-time show that provide a lot of laughs and entertainment. Watching the game with good friends is always fun and makes for a great party. All you need is delicious food, plenty to drink, and a television. If you’re holding a Super Bowl get-together at your house this year, and want to liven it up with a festive touch, here are some ways to score a touchdown.

Are you ready for some football?

• 

  Super Bowl party invitation available at Small Moments.

  The goal here is fun fun fun, hanging out, and having a good time. Invite anyone you know who’s even remotely interested in football, free food, and booze. The more the merrier, but consider seating when you’re deciding how many to invite. Your guests will want to sit in front of the television and near tables with food, so they can snack while watching the game. It’s been my experience that the rabid football fans take the seats up front and center, so provide plenty of seating on the fringe with extra tables nearby for snacks. Throw pillows on the floor and grab chairs from the dining room if extra seating is needed.
• Informal or not, send invitations. It will be fun for your guests to get one. Make your own or purchase them online. Invitations from Small Moments can be customized and come with envelopes. Be sure to send the invites out in time to allow at least ten days for an RSVP.
• Start planning the minute the invitations go out. Chances are good anyone invited will come. Make notes of the seating plan so furniture can be arranged easily on party day. Keep the menu informal. Think finger foods . . . snacks and warm appetizers . . . and a simple main dish. Avoid anything requiring a fork. A buffet works best. Plan to have everything ready so your guests can help themselves. Chill drinks and make whatever you’re serving beforehand so you’re not stuck in the kitchen during the game.

Food

• Stock up on the classic snacks. Peanuts, pretzels, popcorn, and chips are expected on game day. Have a nice assortment on hand of both salty, to serve first, and sweet-flavored snacks, for later. Keep in mind those guests who are watching what they eat and offer one or two healthy snacks that taste good and are good for you.

To make the single-serving cones for popcorn, roll up parchment or wax paper inside newspaper—preferably pages from the sports section—and staple the bottoms to hold everything in. Arrange the filled cones in a deep basket on your buffet table. (Photo: Pottery Barn)

• Serve a variety of dips. You can find party dips, salsas, and cheese balls at the grocery store. Or you can make them yourself—it’s easy to do beforehand, and your guests will notice the extra effort. Either way, go with 2-3 different kinds. Choose between chunky, smooth, cheesy, spinach, avocado, salsa, hot, and cold. You want a nice mix of colors, textures, and flavors. Variety is the spice of life, but keep in mind that one person’s “medium” could be another person’s “Holy crap, that’s hot!” Stay on the mild side, and put hot pepper sauce on the table for those who want to pack more punch. Dips can go on tables in front of the television so guests can snack while watching the game. Serve with crackers and hearty chips that won’t break when your guests go to scoop.
  

  Cheesy Broccoli Dip

  

  Best Guacamole Ever

  

  Skinny Taco Dip

  

  Cheesy Football

• Set the buffet table with hearty appetizers. Offer an assortment of finger foods from which your guests can pick and choose. Keep it simple. Again, 2-3 different kinds. Have a fresh veggie platter with simple cool ranch dressing—so good in place of salad, it goes well with everything and is a healthy option.
  

  Spicy-Sweet Deviled Eggs

  

  Classic Pigs in the Blanket

  

  Pretzel and Almond Coated Chicken Strips

  

  Fresh Vegetable Platter

• Keep your main course simple. A chunky chili is always a good choice. It satisfies even the hungriest football fan’s appetite . . . you can make it the day before . . . and it tastes great reheated after it sits overnight in the fridge and all the delicious flavors merge.
  

  This Chunky Rigatoni Chili is a cinch to make and hearty enough for even the most robust appetite.

  Do yourself a favor and serve the chili in paper bowls or cups. Soup containers, the kind you get with carryout, are great for chili.

  Using sturdy disposable dishware and paper napkins is fine for an informal gathering and makes cleanup so much easier. However, though it might be easier to toss out, don’t use plastic silverware—stick to the real deal.

• Provide an array of decorative desserts. Cupcakes, brownies, and other treats with a football motif are easy to make and look great on the table. If you have a tiered dish, put a different dessert on each tier and use it as a centerpiece.
  

  Chocolate Nutty Mini Football Treats

  

  Grasshopper Cake with Andes Mint Footballs

  

  Football Cupcakes

  

  Touchdown Brownies

Drinks

• 

  Bloody Mary

  Vary your drink options. Beer is a must at any football game, but it might not be everyone’s first choice. Be sure to have plenty of soft drinks on hand and a couple of bottles of wine . . . or a signature cocktail. Try a twist on the traditional Bloody Mary, garnished with shrimp, celery, and a spicy salt around the rim.

  Keep everything chilled and handy for guests to help themselves. Instead of stocking the fridge or an ugly cooler with beer, Julie Mulligan of Celebrations suggests using galvanized tins. Fill with ice, arrange your beers—and soft drinks, too—and tack on a fun sticker to dress it up.

A galvanized tin makes a great container for chilled beer and soft drinks. (Photo: Celebrations)

Decor

• Don’t Go Overboard with Decorations. There’s a fine line between festive and tacky. It’s tempting to hang streamers in team colors or turn your table into a mini football field, but don’t. Instead, use a fringed cloth in a neutral color as a backdrop for your table; and keep decorations simple and understated. Try wheatgrass on the table alongside your decorative desserts or put personalized coasters out for guests to use. A few fun football reminders here-and-there will do the trick nicely.
  

  Potted Wheatgrass

  

  Festive Paper Products

  

  Game Day Party Picks

  

  Football End Zone© Personalized Coaster Set

Interested in growing wheatgrass? Here are easy instructions.

In a nutshell

Personalized candy wrapper
available at Party 411.

• Send invitations out early.
• Plan ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen during the game.
• Have enough seating for everyone.
• Offer a variety of snacks—peanuts, popcorn, pretzels, chips—and dips.
• Serve finger foods and one main course buffet-style.
• Provide plenty of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
• Keep decor simple and understated.
• Have paper towels and an all-purpose cleaner on hand for spills.
• Send your guests home with a sweet parting treat. A chocolate candy bar, in a personalized wrapper from Party 411, is an awesome way to say “Thanks for coming!”