While we lament yet another Super Bowl not featuring the Cleveland Browns, follow these surefire tips from Ohio City Galley events manager Michelle Arendas, and at least your big game party will be championship-worthy this year. “Not everything is going to turn out exactly like it is on Pinterest,” she says. “You can spend all day going over the top, but keeping it simple and making sure that everyone has a nice view of the TV and plenty of snacks.”
Keep The Menu Manageable
Arendas has a general rule for proper party food — include something cold, something hot and something hearty. Cold dishes, such as veggies and dip, chips and salsa or a meat and cheese tray can be prepared a day or two in advance, making it a cinch to pull out of the fridge before guests arrive. For something hot she recommends buffalo chicken dip or spinach and artichoke dip in a crock pot, so you don’t continually have to reheat it. For a hearty dish, try mini croissant hotdogs, potato skins, chicken wings or chili. “It also helps to make sure you’re not overwhelmed with needing too many things in the kitchen,” says Arendas.
Bring Your Own Sixer
When we think football, beer isn’t too far behind, but between John, who swears by Miller Lite, and Chad, who only drinks craft brewed IPAs, you can’t please everyone. Kindly ask your guests prior to the party to pick up a six-pack of their favorite beer and bring it. Aside from trying new things, it can also be a good spark for discussion if someone really likes a beer someone else brought. “It’s hard to please a large group of people and make sure that every single person is happy,” says Arendas. “But I think doing the six-pack kind of thing helps to create a little bit more diversity of a drink menu.”
Pass the Time
Add a little extra interest to the matchup by creating a bingo or betting game. Take (small dollar amount) bets before the game on how many total commercials there will be, the person closest to the number gets the entire pot. Or, Arendas suggests, create bingo cards with spots that say, “See a beer commercial” or “There is a touchdown in the first 5 minutes.” There are premade ones online, but you can always customize them and tailor it to your family and friends. “You can turn that into a drinking game as well, if that’s your kind of crowd,” says Arendas.
How To Throw A Celebration-Worthy Super Bowl Party
These tips will help you score big with family, friends and party guests.
at home
1:00 PM EST
January 28, 2020