Ladies - is your husband already driving you NUTZ talking about his fantasy football league? Guys - has your wife already started complaining about how much time you’ll be spending with the guys and without her? Well… Gentlemen - since you love watching football, and ladies - since you love hosting get togethers – how about a magnificent compromise?! Football season is the perfect time for both! Friends, together, under 1 roof… the guys, the gals... the kids, the family! Whether it's tailgating at the game or hosting at home - cheering on our teams has not only become a national pastime, but it is part of our uniquely American culture.
We dedicate the following playbook to the rookies and the seasoned pros alike, and we know this will help you score big with your guests.
SO - Give me an F, give me a U, give me an N….What’s that spell? FUN!! FUN-FUN-FUN –FUN-FUNNNNNN!
Here’s the game plan:
Pre-Game Warm-Up
The first and most important part of planning any game and any party is the preparation. So consider starting with a list of all the items that you’ll need. Write your guest list, and plan the food, snacks, serving wares, and drinks. Every detail is worth jotting down, and will make the execution as easy as checking items off your list. Also, make sure you choose an invitation that will set the tone of the party. The invitation will excite both you and your guests.We love these great football ticket invitations.
Team Roster
If you are tailgating don’t be afraid to enlist the help of friends that will be joining you. After you’ve determined what items you are going to need– including the all important food, snacks, and drinks, you can start delegating. Choose people you can rely on and who you know can complete a pass. Remember, there’s no “I” in TEAM.
The Playing Field
If you’re hosting a party at home, a kitchen buffet set-up lets you enjoy the game along with your guests, and make sure if you and your guests are going to be spending a good amount of time in the kitchen that you place dishes on a counter, an island or a table, and have a small television tuned into the game so nobody misses a crucial play. Wrap silverware in napkins paired with these adorable football napkin rings.
Team Spirit
Transform grass patches into playing fields with miniature plastic football players and goalposts. Place cheerful colored flowers bunched in simple glass vases. Set out a tray of football themed cupcakes as dessert and favors. And spread snacks around, easy and accessible by everyone.
You never know who will be showing up so you’ll want it to be obvious which team you’re rooting for. The plates and all other decorations should be reflective of your team colors. Hang pennants, a custom banner, or
paper lanterns. Don’t be afraid to splurge in this area. It won’t cost much and it’ll do a lot to pumping up your fans!
Also, ladies – don’t be afraid of noise! Turn your TV up so that everyone can hear the pre-game interviews and keep track of the other big games that are going on that day. Let’s be honest, the guys will demand this anyway so make them happy and get the energy up right into the kick off.
And sure, you always hope the game is going to be action packed, but some games just turn out to be snoozers. A great way to get your guests excited is to start a pool for the game or pass out mini footballs to toss around during commercials- these also make for great favors.
Not everyone quite understands how to throw a pool, but trust me on this one the guys will love this and the girls will tune in just as eagerly to the game as the most ardent fans when money is on the line. This is how you do it:
On a piece of blank paper mark 10 columns across and 10 rows down for a table of 100 squares – DO NOT NUMBER THEM YET; however, above the columns write the name of the home team and to the left of the rows write the name of the visiting team. Have everyone write their names in each box and you can even charge people $1 dollar per square (or more!!!). When every square has been filled in, take 10 pieces of square scrap paper and write a number from 0 to 9 on each piece and throw them into a hat, shake it up and then randomly pull 1 piece/number out at a time and write that number on top and across the columns. Replace all 10 pieces of paper back into the hat, shake it up and do the same to randomly number the rows downward. Presto! There is your pool. Assuming you sold the squares for let’s say $1 a piece, the entire pool will be worth $100 to the winner and the winner is the person that owns the square that has the far right digit of the home team score as well as the far right digit of the score that corresponds to the visiting team. You can even split the money into 1st quarter, halftime, 3rd quarter and final score. This really will liven up any party, trust me!
Food
Consider the time of the game, as this can help you decide what type of food and drinks to serve. If it is a 10 am kickoff, then Bloody Marys would be the obvious drink of choice and Champagne/Mimosa Brunch might make for a lively and interesting twist to a football party.
When tailgating: Drinks actually might be the first thing you think of. With so many different options – beyond boring old beer, you’ll surely be able to find a drink that perfectly complements your menu. Be adventurous and use the flavors of the season– mint for those warm Indian summer afternoons, or cinnamon as the season moves into the cooler days of the playoffs.
Be sure to also offer nonalcoholic options, like iced tea and soda during the beginning of the season when it is still warm and hot chocolate and coffee during the colder months.
Remember, the key to any great party is all in the preparation. With a little forethought and an ounce of creativity, you’ll go a long way to ensure that your party is an S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!
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