Are you ready for some football?
Or, to all you football widows, are you ready to wrap up the football season? Whether you’re an avid fan of the game or lean toward game-day party planner and menu maker, (which is where I muster my enthusiasm), who doesn’t love a chance to gather on a Sunday and celebrate life and football together.
Maybe we can all get on the same level of excitement with the commercials and this year’s halftime show featuring Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.
Our family follows SEC football from September through New Year’s so I kind of thought we were finally done, but this year we tuned into the NFL because our beloved Tennessee Titan’s hung-on deep into the playoffs. Unfortunately it didn’t end as we’d hoped and I found myself severely disappointed. My friend, Marie suggested it’s because I already had the menu planned had they won. Okay, she’s not wrong… I had a hot chicken recipe up my sleeve.
After a few weeks of recovery I’ve found one last morsel of enthusiasm for football so I’m planning a Super Bowl party. Even though they beat us I’m rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs because I have family in Missouri. Whichever team you’re pulling for, come along with me for some ideas, inspiration, and tips as I pull this final tailgate together. Whether my team is in the show or not, Super Bowl LIV is a good reason to gather with family, friends, and food.
OK, let’s get to it before the game starts…
4 Easy Steps to Planning a Super Party!
Make a guest list!
Send a text and let’s get a head count. Give everyone a heads-up so they can save the date.
Create the Menu
Since I’m rooting for the Chiefs, I thought I’d look around to see what the locals eat. This gives me an opportunity to explore new menu items. Turns out Chiefs fans love their barbecue and I just happen to have a great recipe. Barbecue Beef Recipe Here. In fact, I just wrote about it in this months HomeLife Magazine. They like to serve it with baked beans, coleslaw and French fries. Sounds good to me.
Desert
Going for the game-winning score? Serve cupcakes! Here are some great reasons you should call this play…
- Bake them ahead of time and freeze them for day-of convenience
- Decorate them in team colors and brands to enhance the theme of the party
- Stacked on a tiered-tray, they serve as a centerpiece.
- They are basically self-serve which leaves you more time to coach from the sofa.
Beverages
Our gang likes Craft beer, and Mint Iced Tea. Both go great with barbecue. If you’re serving beer, ice it down in a beverage tub or bucket 30 minutes before the guests arrive, so they can serve themselves and the traffic stays away from your refrigerator. Don’t have a bev tub? Simply ice down the sink.
Theme it
This party is about football so I’m thinking…
- Team colors
- Mascots
- Host city
- Halftime Show/music
Tabletop & Buffet
Tabletop decor is made easy thanks to my friends at Hesterandcook.com. I always check here first when I need inspired placemats, colorful table runners, or place cards. Their assortment is creative, quality is second-to-none, and adds a fresh spin on the accessories I already have.
And, I have a great tip for using your leftover paper runners and placemats—wrap some prize giveaway gifts.
To keep the “non-football guests” in the game, we’re playing a couple of party games we found and printed off Pinterest.
Speaking of the table…
Let’s talk about how we’ll serve everyone during the festivities. You can certainly set the table, but Super Bowl also offers a nice opportunity for a buffet. Use your Hester & Cook paper runner on the countertop and add the football placemats to accent your spread.
Set out stacked plates, utensils in a container, and napkins, and let everyone serve themselves. Easy peasy!
Before the big day
Make sure you have all the paper goods, serving pieces, appliances, and tools you’ll need. Example: For the cupcakes, I used my KitchenAide Mixer and Wilton tips (1, and 234) bags and cupcake liners. I slow cooked a roast for the barbecue in my Cusinart Slow Cooker. The baked beans go from oven to counter beautifully in this Cuisinart 9×13 baking dish.
As the Clock Runs Out
A final tip, don’t be afraid to ask for a little help. After I send out an invite my friends are quick to respond with an offer to bring something. It can be as simple as extra ice, a bag of chips, beverages, or something a little more time consuming such as an appetizer or dessert. Hosting should be fun for the host too, so the easier you make it on yourself, the more you’ll be inclined to offer up your home the next time an opportunity kicks off.
Go Chiefs!
Hugs out, Laura
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