Everyone loves to be known as a great party host and one of the best kinds of get-togethers you can throw at this time of year is a football viewing party. After all, the pressure is off of you to provide entertainment, right? Here are some ways to make your next football party a memorable one for everyone involved.
Choose Guests Carefully
It may seem that “the more, the merrier” approach is best for football shindigs, but that’s not your best move. Here are some ways to be a little selective about whom you invite.
- Figure out which teams are playing ahead of time and make sure not to invite friends with very strong opinions about their teams. This will avoid any unnecessary conflict and keep the party atmosphere going.
- If you want to keep costs down, supply the main dishes but asks guests to bring a drink or dessert.
- Don’t invite people you know to be party downers. If they are too serious when it comes to sports or scoff at the very notion of football, leave them off the list.
Ambiance
The focus of the party might be the game, but there are plenty of opportunities to provide some elements that ramp up the football atmosphere.
- Have some music queued up for halftime or during commercial breaks.
- Dress in team colors or don a replica jersey, like these, to show your team affiliation.
- Have extra chairs at the ready for attendees who want to sit when the sofa is already full.
Chow Time
Food is a major part of any football party, but providing snacks for a large crowd can be costly and logistically challenging. Here are some tips.
- Plan to grill as much as you can. This leaves the kitchen available for other food prep.
- If your guests are bringing food, try to monitor who is bringing what so you don’t end up with 23 bags of chips but no dip.
- Use paper plates and plastic silverware for easy cleanup, and place garbage cans all over your home for easy cleanup once guests have left.
Make Decisions About Booze
It’s likely that beer will be flowing during the game, and since the party’s at your house, it’s important to ensure no one drinks too much. Here are some ways to control the liquor situation.
- Avoid offering spirits at all and stick to beer and cider.
- Keep an eye on guests and have plenty of soft drink options for guests who don’t want to drink.
- Be prepared to keep any worse for wear guests at your house until they sober up and have plenty of yummy snacks on hand to help soak up the alcohol.
When your next football party comes around, you will be prepared to be the host with the most!
