Whether you’re tuning in to the big game to actually watch the game, or just the commercials in between, this U.S. News article by Kendal Perez offers some tips on how a little careful game-planning can help you kick off your Super Bowl party without spending too much.
The biggest match-up in American sports is right around the corner, and with it the Thanksgiving-like inkling to indulge in all-things bad for you. What’s a Super Bowl party without mega nachos, fried wings and buckets of onion dip, after all?
For foodies with a bottomless budget, Guy Fieri (of Food Network fame) is organizing a Super Bowl Tailgate Party featuring linebacker-worthy fare including jambalaya, a whole hog and a steak sandwich station, all for a cool $700 entry fee.
For those fans with regular budgets and a healthy respect for moderation, consider hosting your own Super Bowl Bash for much less than the cover charge to a celebrity gathering. To ensure your event is free of fouls and fumbles, follow these tips for a winning celebration.
Choose either snack foods or a main course. Planning a menu for the big game can quickly get out of hand when you consider all the indulgent treats characteristic of Super Bowl viewing party: sliders, nachos, pizza, chicken wings (and an entire pig, if you’re Guy Fieri). These foods are all fan favorites, but purchasing and preparing each one will get costly and time-consuming. Instead, plan for just a couple appetizers and a main course. For example, chips and vegetables with dip make for perfect starters, pairing well with soda and beer. The main course can be as simple as pizza, though opting for homemade over delivery will save you a bundle. You can also create a pizza “bar” by providing all the popular fixings for personal pies created by your guests. This option is especially popular for kids with picky palates and can serve as additional entertainment.
Make it a BYOB event. To save on the cost of beverages, have guests bring their favorite drinks to share. This way, you can focus on food and supplies, and your guests can enjoy an assortment of drinks in addition to their favorites. If children are attending your event, skip individual juice boxes in favor of water mix-ins like punch or lemonade. While drinks are provided by your guests, storage is still up to you. Dust off your coolers and designate someone in the family to make an ice run before the game! Alternatively, you can plan ahead by packaging ice from your ice maker beginning several days before the game.
Include party games for the kids. Watching the game is typically enough entertainment for adults, but children need a bit more stimulation. Free printable templates for kid-friendly party games are available online, and can be themed around the Super Bowl for an added touch. You can also designate a craft area (perhaps the dining room table) where kids can color, put together paper projects or even decorate sugar cookies with various toppings for a post-game treat. And depending on the weather in your region, a pre-game football toss will get both kids and adults on their feet.
