So let’s get the facts straight.
It’s only a couple days from Super Bowl Sunday (depending on when you actually picked up the Insider this week, but we can only assume you were waiting for the delivery driver at the dispenser in front of the State House on Wednesday morning) and the party is at your house. It’s your first time hosting and the nerves are starting to set in.
It’s okay, we’re here to help. We’ve put a few of these soirees together in the past, so this will be a piece of cake. Just follow our every word, except for when we go off on some weird tangent like we’re doing right now, but you get the gist. And a piece of cake does sound good, so if you’re looking for a way to pay us back, we’re just sayin’.
What we like to do first is clean. So grab a broom and sweep all the dirt under the rug and/or couch, whichever hides it better. Next, place all the dirty dishes, smelly shoes and Frozen merchandise in the guest room closet and close the door. Voila, you’re done. See, wasn’t that easy.
When it comes to Super Bowl Sunday, there are some crucial elements to a successful party – good food, a nice TV, plenty of seating, and of course, this year, a Patriots win.
So let’s start with the food. Appetizers, aka finger foods, are the way to go. This is not the time to be hosting a Sunday dinner. No one wants to sit down for a meal. They want to grab a little napkin and put a bunch of stuff on it.
The key is to cover all your bases: Fried, bacon infused, cheese covered, dippable and sweet.
You need at least one thing fried. Our specialty is buffalo chicken cheese balls, but they take a while to make, so you should probably just go with something more simple like mozzarella sticks, popcorn chicken, wings or onion rings. Just make sure to provide enough, because people really enjoy fried food.
Chicken wrapped in bacon, bacon macaroni and cheese, chocolate covered bacon, and we’re pretty sure if you even just cooked bacon and put it on the table, people would eat it.
Cheese covered has to be nachos. Cheddar and pepper jack, peppers and onion diced up, some shredded chicken or pulled pork and you can even add bacon.
Most everything we’ve mentioned is dippable, but for the health conscious guests, a tray of veggies isn’t a bad idea. Plus maybe it will mean more fried food for you.
And you’ve got to have dessert. Cookies and brownies are fine.
Now, having the right amount of seating is a must. You don’t want people throwing down in fisticuffs over seats. If need be, a couple folding chairs are okay as long as most are comfortable. And in a sneaky way, make sure to reserve the best seat for yourself with that special mug you use on game day. Hopefully no one will challenge your authority. But each seat also needs a good sight line to the TV – which should be at least 42 inches, or don’t even bother having the party.
When it comes to the guest list, you obviously have to be selective. There’s only so many seats, but it also depends on your interest in the game. If you’re a diehard, try to surround yourself with as many like you as possible. If there’s a big third down in the fourth quarter you don’t want someone yapping about the great Budweiser commercial they just saw. But if it’s a more casual thing for you, invite the funnest people you know (Yes, we know funnest is not a real word.)
It’s going to be a fun night so make sure you get plenty of rest the night before and a little nap before everyone comes over. We’d tell everyone 5:30 p.m. to be safe cause you never know how long it’s going to take to get ready.
And don’t forget your Pats gear. So throw on whatever you’ve got, sweatshirt, jersey or footed pajamas and get pumped cause Tom Brady needs a new shiny ring – for his pinkie.
