After the excitement of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, the first months of a new year can be a letdown. January and February are icy and lacking in daylight hours, and many people struggle to adjust to a return to work after New Year’s Day. The pressure to form new habits and stick to New Year’s resolutions is another factor contributing to this sense of malaise.
Throwing a Super Bowl party is the perfect antidote to the winter blues. Whether you’re a football fan or you prefer to watch the commercials, the Super Bowl provides the perfect excuse to get a group of friends and family together for a casual, low-stakes day of fun.
Menu
Unlike the major holidays, parties centered around sports don’t come with the expectation of a complicated, labor-intensive menu. In fact, it’s the exact opposite!
What you choose to serve depends, of course, on your preferences and those of your guests, but you can’t go wrong with pizza, hoagies, and beer. Order from your favorite place, ask friends for their recommendations, or use resources like Yelp to narrow down your options.
Other crowd favorites to have at your party are wings, nachos, and pretzels. You can order a party platter or buy low-maintenance snacks at your local grocery store. Also, don’t hesitate to ask your guests to bring a drink, dessert, or side dish: your loved ones will want to help you throw the best party possible, and having people bring food and drinks helps to ensure that everyone’s favorites are available.
If you’re really aiming to impress, you can cook a cute, delicious side dish or dessert for the group to enjoy. For those with serious baking skills, cookies or cupcakes decorated with icing to look like footballs are sure to be a hit.
Looking for a recipe that’s truly out of the box? You could even craft football shaped grilled cheese sandwiches (using dark rye bread for the maximum realistic effect) or decorate chocolate covered strawberries with white chocolate or white icing to resemble laces.
Decor
There’s no need to go overboard, but your guests will appreciate some small touches. Search Amazon or stop by your local Target or party supply store for football-themed plastic tablecloths, napkins, and paper plates.
For the especially crafty, Pinterest is a great resource. If you have the time and are looking to make a big impression, you can make your home “pop” by hanging a “water break” sign on a drink dispenser, creating customized sleeves for your soda bottles, or decorating mason jars to hold utensils.
Entertainment Options
Keep in mind that not all of your guests may be eager to watch the game. If your city’s team is not in the game or if you know that some of your friends and family don’t follow sports too closely, you may want to include alternative entertainment options in your celebration.
The Puppy Bowl, televised on Animal Planet each year on the day of the Super Bowl, is an adorable event that involves puppies eligible for adoption playing their own miniature football game. Kittens star in the halftime show, and other baby animals including hamsters, pigs, and chickens make cameos.
If you have multiple TVs in your home, you may want to dedicate one to the Super Bowl and another to the Puppy Bowl. Provide snacks and drinks in both spaces, and let guests choose where they would like to hang out. People may even move back and forth to get the best of both worlds: sports and cute animals.
Depending on the size of your party, you could also elect to set up a space with music, video games, and board games. By combining football and different types of games, you’ll create a party that no one will want to leave!
Follow the tips in this guide to throw an awesome Super Bowl party. You and your family and friends will be able to shake off the winter doldrums and enjoy a festive yet laid-back day.
Most importantly, try not to go overboard by putting too much time or money into planning this celebration: after all, the goal is to encourage a low-stakes, relaxed feel. Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or a commercials-and-wings enthusiast, you’ll have a memorable Sunday with the people who matter most.
Julia Anderson 