A few tips for hosting your next big game party:
1. Send out invites as soon as you know you're hosting a party so that your invitees can save the date. Ask your invitees if there are any special dietary needs you should keep in mind. 2. If you live in an apartment or condo community (or if your home is close to the house next door), let your neighbors know you’ll be throwing a party —better yet, invite them over. 3. Make sure you have enough comfortable seating for everyone. If you need more, rent chairs or ask guests to bring their own portable chairs or floor pillows. 4. Create a simple menu that reflects your love of the game. Cupcakes, sliders, deviled eggs, meatballs, and more can be adapted to fit a football theme and plenty of ideas can be found online. Your local grocery store may also have football-themed snacks. Combine with your own dishes and reduce your party prep time. Get your guests involved and make it a potluck.
5. Setup a few strategically-placed food and beverage “filling stations,” positioned around the TV viewing areas. This will make it quicker for guests to fill their plate or snack while stretching their legs while not miss any of the action. 6. Decorate using colors of the participating teams. Check online retailers for great deals on football-themed table cloths, dishes, cups, serving utensils, flatware, etc. Then, get creative! Bright yellow napkins can also double as penalty flags when guests want to make a call that a referee missed. 7. If you have younger guests coming to your party, set aside a fun table or corner just for them. Stock it up with craft supplies, paper, washable markers, crayons, etc. for them to create football-themed artwork or party decorations. 8. Near the end of the game, make a last call and put on a pot of coffee. Prepare leftovers in plastic bags or paper cartons and leave by the door for guests to grab on their way out. Offer bottled water or coffee in a to-go cup for the road.