Planning Your Super Bowl Party

Don't Hold Back!

The traditional Super Bowl Party is probably the least fussy, most unpretentious party you can host all year. So, there is no point in holding anything back! Go all out and serve everyone's favorite high fat, finger-licking snack foods. After all, your television set is the focal point, not the food. Or is it?

Thinking about the traditional party food for this event- chips, sour cream or cheese dips (onion soup dip springs to mind), chili, salsa, Buffalo wings, cheese balls, pizza (the Domino's kind, thank you very much, not the goat cheese and smoked pheasant kind) - I wonder whether these items are served because they're easy to serve and eat while watching the game, or because this has become the one event where Americans can eat their favorite foods without guilt. Men take the lead at this party, and their tastes have set the tone for the snacks as well as the entertainment. Let's all eat what we enjoy and forget about the diet ramifications or culinary trends!

Party Tips According to the folks at Hallmark Cards, Inc., Super Bowl parties are one of the top at-home party events of the year. Super Bowl parties have become much more than a gathering of football lovers. In fact, many people attending these parties don't love football as much as they love the excuse to get together with friends at the end of the very boring month of January.

Whether you're planning a Super Bowl party out of love for the game or just the desire to host a fun, relaxing party, here are tips for making this a super bash:

- Plan simple, portable foods. A buffet is your only option. Nobody wants to be sitting down at a table to eat when they'd rather be screaming at a television set or two.

- Set up as many televisions as you have available around the party area.

- Don't prepare recipes that will keep you locked in the kitchen all night. You should enjoy the party too.

- Have one room set aside without a television for partygoers who aren't interested in the game and would like a quieter place to talk.

- Likewise, set up one room with a television for serious football fans who don't want to be distracted by idle chatter.

- Plan on plenty of beverages, and don't forget the beer. With all of those beer commercials bombarding your guests, they'll be working up a strong thirst for the suds.

- If you feel compelled to decorate, think team colors, footballs, team jerseys, goal posts, and pennants. But don't knock yourself out. Most eyes will be more impressed by the clear reception on your television.

- Have lots of paper towels, napkins and rug cleaner handy for messes created during exciting plays.

- Keep a little spare change and small bills handy for any betting pools that just might pop up over the course of the evening.

Author: Donna Pilato