Throwing a Super Bowl party is a lot like signing yourself up for what promises to be a good time but will also likely become a bit of a mess by the end. By that point, you probably won’t care until the next morning, so you might as well enjoy yourself. But how, exactly, do you go about putting together a memorable evening for the biggest game of them all? This is the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl, and it’s go big or go home, so everything has to be turned up to 11.

Speaking of 11, that’s how big your television should be – in feet – to watch the big game. But since you probably don’t own a mini-theater in your home, your next-best move is to head to the nearest electronics store and check out the continuously growing selection of new televisions to purchase. Your Super Bowl party is all going to hinge on what you watch it on. If you plan on watching it on a small TV that might as well run off of batteries, then you should also plan on hearing someone gripe about how they should have gone to watch the game at the bar instead.

If you’re already in good standing in the TV category, you can move along to the next paragraph. For those who are not, however, here are some suggestions. The newest thing on the television market today is the 4K Ultra HD TV, some of which have a curve. These will run you anywhere from $1,500-$3,000. Don’t get one of those. They’re awesome and have an amazing picture, but like all other new TVs, they will eventually drop in price. That’s not to say you should skimp on your choice, though. Given the arrival of these new units on the market, all other TVs have dropped in price. Sony and Samsung both have solid picks that can now run you less than $500 and still bring the bright lights and glamour of the Super Bowl to your living room in a top-quality presentation. Surround sound is always a nice touch that many forget about, but it’s not a necessity.

Once you have your TV hooked up, you’re going to need some munchies for you and your guests. The cliché choices (and yet most dependable) are barbecue-based. Chicken wings, spareribs, you name it – if you can pour barbecue sauce on it, then you should add it to your list. This is the one day of the year that we – as sports fans – are encouraged to splurge on food, so for the love of the game, don’t hold back. Get that giant platter of cold cuts you’ve been eyeing at the deli; stroll down the chip aisle and come out the other end five bags deep (don’t forget the dip!); and make good on the coupons you’ve been saving from the local pizza place. And you know those festive Super Bowl cakes and cookies they have on display at your friendly neighborhood grocery store? Billy in the bakery worked hard on those. Do him a solid and add them to your list. Just remember to leave something in the penny bank for beverages to wash all of this down. But don’t overdo it with the alcohol; nobody likes a super rowdy drunk who has the potential to knock all of these delicious treats over, least of all Billy.

But aside from the typical Super Bowl party tips, try to make yours as original as possible. It doesn’t have to be Martha Stewart’s Super Bowl Special or anything like that, but make sure you make this party your own. Maybe you and your friends have a special game you like to play or a game-day tradition. Amplify that. Incorporate it into your party and blow it up into a super-sized surprise for all.

You can do all the above, but most of all, just be safe and have fun at your Super Bowl party. Hopefully, the Patriots will be covered in confetti and hoisting another Vince Lombardi Trophy by the end of this year’s game, but regardless of that, enjoy the spectacle that will be Super Bowl L with good company.

By Jason Savio