Super Bowl parties have been a treasured American tradition since the championship began in 1967. Sometimes hosting can be a hassle, and your party and flop if you’re not thoroughly prepared. To help make sure your Super Bowl party lives up to its full potential, we’ve compiled this simple list of dos and don’ts, perfect for a Super Bowl celebration of any size!
DO: Plan thoroughly. It’s very important to be prepared. You want to be sure you have enough food, drinks, and seating for your invited guests. Sending out an invite 2-3 weeks in advance is a good way to give both yourself and your guests time to make plans. Cooking and cleaning a few days before the party is a good way to feel prepared and not be stressing out the night of the party.
DON’T: Micromanage. It can be all too easy to overcorrect and turn into a micromanaging host. If you plan general movements, such as when people will be eating, you can help to streamline the process and keep people moving along. However, going too far with this idea, and planning the party moment by moment will have both you and your guests on edge. Go with the flow, and let things unfold naturally.
DO: Feed your guests. The best part of a Super Bowl party (besides of course, the game) is the food. Set out a few appetizers and snacks for the guests to snack on during the game. Try Beanitos bean based chips as a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips! Homemade items are always popular, so if you have any secret recipes, now is the time to use them!
DON’T: Offer too many options. If you bog down your guest with too many choices, odds are you will end up with a lot of uneaten food. Not only is this wasteful, but it drives up your prep and cleanup time considerably. Make your life easier by only setting out a few dishes.
DO: Create Enough Seating. This sounds like it would be obvious, but always make sure you can comfortably seat all your guests. Being stuck on the floor or standing behind the couch can be a huge bummer, so be sure there is a place for everyone!
DON’T: Create a Seating Chart. This goes hand in hand with the micromanaging point. Let people sit where and with whomever they please. It’s not your wedding, so don’t you dare put out name cards on your living room sofa.
DO: Serve drinks. Be sure to have enough beer, soda, etc. for all of your guests. Assume each person will have about three drinks each, and buy accordingly. Consider serving coffee in the fourth quarter or offering Bizzy Double Shots to help keep people energized throughout the game and on their way home! Mix it with your favorite beer for a healthy and energizing cocktail!
DON’T: Over serve. Make sure to pay attention to who is drinking what and how much. Make sure everyone is safe and has a sober ride home. Car crashes spike up to a whopping 40 percent after the Super Bowl, so made sure everyone gets home safely.
DO: Relax and have a good time. This one is simple, enjoy your own party. Things won’t go 100% according to plan, but that’s okay. The most important thing is to have fun and spend some quality time with your friends and family.
DON’T: Stress out. If you find you’re worrying more about the party than you’re enjoying it, you’re taking it all too seriously. If your guests are having a good time, that’s all that matters. Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun because you’re trying to be the perfect host!
Citations:
Cosgrove-Mather, Bootie. “Car Crashes Soar After Super Bowls.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 22 Jan. 2003.