Recipe: The Perfect Super Bowl Party

1. When throwing a first Superbowl fête, it is vital for the perfect group of people to attend. Making a Facebook event is a great way to get the word out that there will be a Superbowl celebration. To make sure there is room for everyone to see the game, inviting about 60 closest Facebook friends is ideal — know that only about a third of the invitees that RSVP “attending” will actually show up.

2. Second to a high-definition TV, a cooler full of ice-cold beverages is the most important ingredient to a having a successful Superbowl party. If a lot of people show up, a keg is a good option for quenching people’s game time thirst — and anxiety.  If there’s not a lot of cash to spend, ask all guests to “B.Y.O.B.,” leaving the host/hostess in charge of red cups, soda, and ice. Don’t want to spread the H1N1 while celebrating the game? Leave some markers out for guests to write their name, along with their pick to win the game, on the side of their cup.

3. Junk food is another key to throwing a Superbowl party that will not be forgotten. Provide the necessities: chips, salsas, seven-layer bean dips and veggie platters. If splurging, barbecuing hamburgers and hot dogs makes for a chill and sporty setting. Another option: turn it into a potluck. Ask everyone to bring their favorite type of snack food to share. Suggest appetizers (wings, meat and cheese platters), main dishes (pizza, sliders) and desserts (cupcakes, cookies). The more people get into the football theme, the better. Rooting for the Saints this Superbowl? Why not add “Bree’s” Cheese into the mix, along with an assortment of crackers and fruit.

4. No Superbowl party is complete without picking sides (and placing bets) for the game. Making a football pool is as easy as drawing lines on poster board. Start by drawing a 10 by 10 grid on your poster board, making sure that each square is big enough to fit a person’s name. Write “the Saints” down the left side of the board, and “the Colts” on the top of the board. Then fill in each top grid with numbers zero to nine, as well as the grids to the left.

5. Have each guest that wants to participate give a determined amount (of pride or money) per square and write their name in whatever box they want. Once the grid is complete, the host job is done until the end of the game. The winner is chosen by the last digit of the final score of the game. For example, if the Colts score 24 points and the Saints score 35 points (sorry Colts fans), the winner is the person whose name falls in the grid box of four and five.

6. While not a necessity, decorations take any party to the next level. The average party store will have Superbowl-themed plates, napkins, table cloths and matching plastic ware. Fun football centerpieces and balloons can help add to the effect. Want to really go all out? Try making a bleacher-style buffet to put snacks on.

7. Whatever team you are rooting for this season, having a Superbowl fiesta is a perfect way to spend a Sunday with friends and family!

Contact the reporter at mkthornt@asu.edu