Super Bowl Parties

Whether you’re a football fan or not, there’s no avoiding Super Bowl parties, where every man (and a lot of women!) show up with their game faces on, ready for great food, decorations and a winning game. Below are some quick ways to plan the perfect Super Bowl menu, as well as create the ideal ambiance for this weekend devoted to football.

Make sure you have all the essential football party supplies.

You may feel overwhelmed about throwing a Super Bowl party – after all, aren’t we still recovering from the holidays? No matter what your emotion, Super Bowl get-togethers are popular, and if you want to remain leading hostess of the neighborhood, there isn’t any avoiding it. However, this is one gathering where you won’t have to bring out the fine china. This is a casual occasion, rowdy shindigs that get friends cheering and rooting for their favorite teams and each other. There’s no reason to throw in hours of effort or shell out a lot of cash. Keep things simple and you may find yourself looking forward to next year’s big game.

One of the main components of a Super Bowl party is food. Guests love to munch while they watch, so you’ll want to have plenty of snacks on hand both before and after halftime. This isn’t a formal dinner party scenario – keep it easy and keep the munchies flowing with an inexpensive, low-drama food spread your guests will adore. Chips, pretzels, popcorn, and finger sandwiches are standard fare at Super Bowl parties. You may also want to whip up a bowl of your favorite dip for crackers or fresh vegetables. The trick to planning a Super Bowl menu is to brainstorm what can be eaten on the go. Guests will be piling snacks onto paper plates and venturing through your house, mingling and then bolting toward the TV at every touchdown. Save your home, and your sanity, by picking spill-friendly eats that won’t be a permanent souvenir of one fateful Sunday afternoon.

On this same note, cans of beer or soda hold up better than flimsy paper cups of punch or wine. You can even get into the theme and provide inexpensive sports bottles for each guest, allowing fill-ups of water, iced tea or lemonade.

Some party hosts, especially those who aren’t into sports, will make the mistake of creating an elaborate buffet or a cutesy football field cake for dessert. If you decide to indulge your party planning whims in such a way, be prepared for your efforts to be overlooked. People are there for football scores and friendly banter, not to compliment you on your gorgeous helmet-shaped gelatin mold. If you think your feelings will be hurt, then don’t go through the trouble. After all, you deserve to have some fun and spill a beer or two while you’re at it.

Not sure how to decorate for your get-together? Many party supply stores now carry plates, napkins, table cloths and even banners designed for this popular occasion, while many more stock bowls and utensils in solid colors. Pick out your team’s color scheme or print out some photos of the winning mascot to personalize your Super Bowl party in a fun and special way. If you happen to have a blanket or throw with your favorite team’s emblem, this can double as a fun tablecloth or centerpiece. Again, don’t go to a lot of effort – pick a color scheme or a theme related to Super Bowl Sunday, and choose a few simple decorative pieces.

Even though you may want to throw a Super Bowl party, there is one unspoken (and sometimes actually spoken) rule of the big weekend – he who has the biggest television throws the biggest party. Football fans will flock to homes with a huge flat screen. Fans subscribing to Dish Network or a special NFL cable package may also get priority. Don’t take it personally – again, this is not a party plan for the weak at heart. Realize your guests’ priorities and you won’t be disappointed if you turn up with either a large ruckus or intimate gathering.

The Super Bowl is a fun and rowdy way to kick off a new year with friends and loved ones. Take some time to really get into the game and enthusiasm that comes along with it, and you’re sure to enjoy a party worth remembering.

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