Americans are all about football. Watching a game with family and 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 hosting a get-together for the big game at your house and want to liven it up with a festive touch, here are some ways to score a touchdown.
On your mark . . . get ready . . . go
Super Bowl invitations available at Amazon.
- 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. You can invite people by phone or in person, but following it up with a printed invitation would be fun for your guests and make the party a special occasion. In any case, be sure to allow plenty of time—at least ten days—for your guests to TSVP and save the date.
- Start planning the minute 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. If you’re planning a potluck, coordinate with your guests to see what each is bringing to avoid duplicates. 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.
Fun food for a fun time
- 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)
- Try for 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.
- 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 fresh veggies with simple cool ranch dressing—it goes well with everything and is a healthy option. Or plan for a football-themed charcuterie board with all of your favorite finger and healthy foods for the ultimate game day appetizer.
- 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.
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 disposable bowls or cups. Soup containers, the kind you get with carryout, are great for chili.Using sturdy disposable dishware and paper napkins are fine for an informal gathering and make 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.
Drinks
-
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 and balloons in team colors or turn your table into a mini football field, but don’t. Instead, use a a neutral-colored tablecloth as the backdrop for your football-themed food, and keep other decorations simple and understated. A few fun football reminders here-and-there will do the trick nicely.
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. It’s an awesome way to say “Thanks for coming!”
[…] 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. Source […]