If you opted to host a get-together for this year’s Super Bowl XLIX viewing instead of celebrating at the local bar, you need to take it up a notch from the regular old “beers in front of the TV” night. For those of us who like football, it’s a chance to cheer on our favorite team and yell and scream like maniacs. For those who aren’t really into it, it’s still a chance to get together with some friends. Either way, we have some great ideas for you to score a touchdown of your own if you’re having your buddies over for the occasion.

Your TV

OK, you don’t necessarily need to have the 65-inch, big-screen TV to host a party, but you may want to reconsider hosting if all you have is a dinky 27-inch LCD. People want to feel like they are there. Good sound and a high-def experience is a must!

Clothing

Get yourself a football jersey. This is, first and foremost, a football event, after all, so show your spirit! Can’t afford to drop the money on an authentic jersey? Get a knockoff or a T-shirt with the team name. Stores like Marshalls have these super cheap. It doesn’t really matter, as long as you represent, especially if you’re hosting!

Set-up and décor

Get those football-themed party plates and cups at any local party store and some plastic tablecloths in your team’s colors. Not only is it festive, it makes for easy clean up later. Don’t forget plenty of plastic forks and napkins for all the messy food. Make sure you have enough seats for everyone, plus a couple extra.

Favors

Totally not necessary, but if you want to go all-out, think about some small favors for your guests like lanyards or Mardi Gras beads in the team colors, penalty flags for tossing, small foam footballs, drink cozies, etc.

Food

Obviously, a Super Bowl party is not complete without food. Some favorites include Buffalo wings, potato skins, chili, meatballs, pizza, chips and popcorn. All of these are great, but if you want to try making something that will really make their stomachs growl and put a unique twist on the norm, here are some of my favorite easy recipes:

• Cheesy Bacon Dip ~ ½ cup mayo, 1 package cream cheese, 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, ½ finely chopped onion, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix all this until blended and put in a glass pan. In a separate pan, fry up some bacon. Put the cheese dip into the oven at 350 degrees and heat through (15-20 minutes), take it out, top it with the crumbled bacon and serve it up with nacho chips. It won’t last until halftime.
• Taco Dip ~ One of the easiest and tastiest things ever. Just mix some soft cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning together and serve it in a big bowl topped with shredded cheese and diced tomatoes with some nacho chips. Can’t go wrong.
• Stuffed Poblano Peppers ~ Fry yourself up some ground sausage, chopped onions and garlic, and mix in some pre-cooked rice. Spoon into poblanos that have been halved and pitted. Top with shredded cheese and bake for 10 minutes.
• Mini Ham & Cheese Melts ~ Who doesn’t love ham and cheese sandwiches, especially when they are buttery and grilled? Make these the same way you normally would, but on the inside of the bread, spread a Dijon mustard and mayo mixture and add a slice of dill pickle. Add your ham and cheese and grill, chop into four minis (like your mom did when you were a kid) and throw them on a platter.
• Dump Cake ~ If you’re the baking type, feel free to whip out a couple dozen cupcakes, but if not, this easy and delicious recipe is for you. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Dump a can of cherry pie filling (or whatever kind you like) into a baking pan. Open up a box of vanilla or chocolate cake mix and sprinkle it over the top of the fruit. Slice a stick of butter and spread the slices over the top of the cake. Bake for 45 minutes and serve with Cool Whip.

Drinks

Some soda and bottled water is great to have on hand and, of course, beer is a must. Honestly, for most people going to the party, a Coors Light or Bud will do. Just estimate at least one beer per quarter for your drinking friends, then get some extra (and don’t forget yourself). Running out is not an option! If you would rather go the craft beer route, you really can’t go wrong with our local beers; Sam Adams and Harpoon make some great seasonal brews. Want to do a signature cocktail? Berry Gatorade, peach schnapps and vodka mixed and thrown in a drink dispenser is perfect.

Games

People are busy watching the game, so I’m not talking Scrabble here. I like to have each person at the party guess what the halftime and final scores will be or how many fumbles there will be in the game. Closest to the correct answer wins some kind of prize at the end of the night (a six pack of beer or a gift card to Dominos goes over nicely).

After-party plans

Keep in mind that the party has to end at some point, so if you have people drinking, make sure they are sobered up before they head out or provide a couch for them to crash on. As a host, cleaning up as the night moves along will make for a more painless cleanup later.

By Jennifer Russo