This Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 is the Super Bowl. Whether you have gotten over the whole deflated footballs thing and are pulling for the Patriots, you are a Seahawks fan praying for the big win, or you are still heartbroken over the fact that your team fizzled out, you will most likely be watching. If you are hosting a party, are going to be a guest, or you are the dreaded party crasher, here are some tips to have a fun day, without the stress.
First Things First
If you are throwing a Super Bowl party, try not to go completely crazy. You do not need to scour Pinterest for the best decorations and party ideas. Chances are the guests that will be showing up could not care less about those perfectly designed football cakes, and will be more focused on how many beers are in the fridge. You should definitely get a variety of beer so that there are a few choices for party goers. Even though they are more expensive, get at least a couple six packs of craft beer, because there is always that one guy that will show up and turn up his nose at the thought of Miller Lite passing through his oh-so-delicate lips (Seriously? Bring your own beer then, dude). By halftime though, most people will not even know what they are drinking, so you are good to go with the cheap stuff.
Wings
It is very possible that there is an unwritten law stating that if you are throwing a Super Bowl party, wings are a MUST. If you have never cooked wings before, do not panic. There are absolutely TONS of easy recipes out there even for the cooking challenged. If you have a crock pot, you are in business. Or, if you want to make things extra simple, call up a local restaurant and pick that stuff up! Be sure to take the credit if the wings are super tasty.
Other Appetizers
Even the most laid back of parties has to have some other appetizers. Throw out some veggies and dips, a few bags of chips, and you have got the healthy to greasy spectrum of food covered. Also, rice crispy treats are an excellent idea. These tasty snacks are easy to make, taste good, and are especially helpful if your guest brought their kiddos. If you absolutely insist on having some football themed décor, here is what you do: Mold the rice crispy treats to look like little footballs. Next, get out some chocolate and vanilla icing to decorate. Spread the chocolate on first for the football color, and use the vanilla for the laces. Boom. Tiny edible footballs. Brilliant, right? If you are feeling brave, get the kids to help! (No one will blame you if you do not feel this brave).
Coolers
There are few things more irritating than a warm beer on a Sunday. Stock up on lots of ice a couple of hours before the party. If it is cold where you are, it is easy enough to load the coolers with ice, and keep them outside where they will stay nice and cold. If you are lucky enough to live somewhere warm where you are not feeling Mother Nature’s cruel wrath, you may want to get a keg or serve beer in pitchers. To keep the pitchers of beer cold, simply freeze a few cups of water overnight, and then dump the large chunks of ice into the pitcher as guests arrive. This way the beer will stay cold, without becoming totally watered down.
Which Party?
Do not wait until last minute. It really does not matter if you have been invited to 20 plus parties if you do not know what you are doing. Make sure it is the type of party you want to be at, too. For example, are there going to be kids there? Is there going to be food, drinks? Do I need to bring something? Can I bring my friends or my date? Serious questions to ask before you head out on Sunday. The last thing you want if you are planning on seriously watching the game and having a few beers, is ending up changing your sister’s friend’s cousin’s baby during the halftime show.
Cleanup
Remember this easy tip to save yourself the nightmare of cleanup: label recycling and trash bins. Also, have several of each located around the house. Use plastic bins if possible. You will probably want to double up on bags because there is always that one friend who will drop half a beer into the bin and as soon as you go to take the trash out the bag will break.
Crashers Beware
First of all crashers, most people do not like you, let us just be honest. If you are not invited to a party, and show up with 15 of your handpicked most annoying friends, you better be bringing some cases of beer, food, and possibly an awesome cake that looks like a football that we did not feel like making. Then you will be forgiven. Maybe.
When To Call a Cab
- If at any point you start wrestling the couch because the game is making you angry.
- If you take off your shirt and swing it around your head making a “woooo” noise at the screen.
- Are you over 25 and have three shots of tequila in front of you? Yep, time for a cab.
- When you start singing the fight song for your own NFL team that did not even make it to the playoffs.
Go home, you are drunk.
Again, remember it is a Super Bowl party and not Pinterest meets Suzie Homemaker. If you have beer, dips, chips and ice, you are truly good to go. And wings! Remember the wings! Also, more importantly, make sure that everyone knows who the designated drivers are. If one of your guests has too much to drink, take their keys and send them to the couch. Or bathroom floor if they are being annoying.
By: Lauren DiDonato
Photo Credit: blog.gthankyou.com