There’s only one more big game before the Super Bowl, so it may be time to get out your game plan and put it into action. Planning a Super Bowl Party can be harder than you’d expect, especially if you’re battling a budget to make it happen. There’s actually a lot of different ways you can work around finances to transform your annual party into something everyone will remember. With a few simple tricks you can blow any standard party out of the water and show all of your friends and family just how tough your party planning skills are. So, put on your game face and get ready to save a lot of money while having the time of your life.
1. Bulk Buys
The Super Bowl means BIG and the best way to get that into your house is to stock up with bulk supplies. This is one of the top ways to cut out spending when you’re planning a party without cutting out the much needed snacks. Luckily, many of your bulk buy stores will have most of the common items you’ll need ready to go. Typically, around this time of the year stores will order more large packages of chips and soda, which will help you get what you need at an even greater price. You’ll also be able to find large packages of hotdogs and hamburger meat to help you create a tasty barbeque for just under budget. If you’re looking to splurge a little bit then see what the bulk store has for dips and other accessories that will improve what you serve your guests. If you choose to shop this route you may not have to worry about any other party supplies and might even have extras to feed the family for dinners in the days following the game.
2. Cook From Scratch
If you’re planning on serving a lot of food at the party then pre-packaged items might not be the best route to go. Sure, all you have to do is follow simple instructions or just pop it in the microwave, but the price can send your budget through the roof. Rather than shop in the pre-packed aisle, try to come up with some Super Bowl recipes you can make from scratch. Super Bowl days are typically pretty cold for most of the country, so choose a meal that won’t just satisfy your guests hunger, but will also warm them up. A big pot of beans or chili can be just the ticket to keep your guests hunger at bay and they don’t take a whole lot of work to create. You also won’t have to spend a lot of money on ingredients, especially if you have your own frugal recipe ready to go! If slow cooking isn’t your idea of a good time then make it even easier by serving simple appetizers. Nachos are usually a hit and will take only a few minutes to put together and cook. You can also make pizzas out of French bread and simple ingredients. Baked potatoes are also incredibly easy and won’t cost you too much. If you’re feeling ambitious you may want to try to make your own dips or desserts. Cookies are a quick and cheap option that everyone loves!
3. Potluck
Not everyone wants to spend their Super Bowl Sunday in the kitchen! Instead of whipping up everything for the party ask your guests to bring something in with them. You can start out by making a few filling dishes, especially if your guests are expecting certain foods from you. As the guests begin to show up, your home will be filled with a variety of different foods that will make the party even more exciting. This is especially great if you have guests with specific dietary concerns as you won’t have to spend the day catering to everyone’s needs. With a potluck you won’t have to spend a small fortune either which makes things a lot easier in regards to the rest of your planning. If you’re uncomfortable with asking people to bring food then you can always ask for them to bring beverages, which tend to bring the budget to astronomical proportions!
4. Alcohol Free
Alcohol can play a huge part in a lot of Super Bowl parties, but this doesn’t mean you have to have it at your party. If you don’t already have a full bar at home then providing all of your guests with alcohol could make your party’s budget sky rocket. Even if you plan on sticking to a light beer you’ll still be out a lot of money you could use elsewhere. So, why not skip the beverages all together? This won’t just save you a lot of money when you go shopping for the party, but it will ensure you won’t spend the day burning gasoline as you safely drop your guests off at their homes due to alcohol levels. An alcohol free party also makes it more family friendly which is ideal if you have kids or plan to have friends and family over that have a lot of children.
5. Keep Decorations Light
When it comes to hosting a party it’s easy to want to go overboard with decorations. Chances are most of your guests probably won’t care about what’s on the walls as soon as the TV is turned on. Thus, try to avoid spending a whole lot of money on items you don’t already own. If you already have items from a team that is playing then you don’t really need anything else to make your party stand out. Of course, if this is your first party then keep it simple by just putting out streamers. You can go all out and buy streamers for the team you hope to win, or make sure you can use them year after year by sticking to the basic NFL colors. If you plan on having kids over for the event then ask them to sit down and color in football helmets and footballs to use as décor throughout the house. You can also have them create paper football flags that can be placed on a straw for a little extra fun. These can even be used in your guests’ mixed drinks to make your party’s style standout.
6. Entertain
Not everyone is going to be at your party to watch the game. If you invite families then there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to want to come up with some other entertainment activities to keep everyone busy. Setting up board games can be a great way to get people to mingle while also keeping them entertained. Of course, you don’t have to end here as you can also play cards, Pictionary or other charade inspired games. If you’re sure a group of people are interested in a certain hobby then this is also an easy way to keep people happy. Scrapbooking is one of the more common choices and can keep guests occupied for hours. If you’re looking for a little help in the kitchen you can always ask guests to help out or have them decorate cupcakes and cookies! Of course, you also have to think about the game watchers who will be there early or those that will stay late or how to entertain if the half time show just isn’t worth watching. Organizing a football game is one of the easiest ways to keep everyone busy and will burn off the extra energy and calories. You can also work up a game of football trivia or find a Super Bowl playlist on your streaming radio for some dance time.
7. Kids’ Activities
A lot of people will hire a babysitter to watch their children during the big game. Save yourself and your friends and family some money by inviting everyone to the celebration. Kids can easily be brought into the party without having to make too many adjustments, so don’t stress out too much. Try to set up a little table for kids to sit down and color sports or team affiliated color pages when they get bored of the game. You can also set up a special area so they can decorate football themed cookies and cupcakes. When their energy starts to build up organize a fun game of touch or flag football outside. If there’s a major age difference then have two separate games, the kids will love watching each other play and the older kids can provide tips to younger players. Another fun idea for kids is to have them sell snacks to the rest of the guests. You can print out fake money and set up a concession stand where they can make popcorn, lemonade and serve the items you prepare for the guests. If all else fails, bring a smaller TV into the room so they can watch sports oriented cartoons or movies. You can also pull out sports related video games to add to the fun.
8. Projector
If you have a lot of guests stopping by and not a whole lot of TV screen then have no fear. Rather than going out and picking up a bigger television for the game, you can easily use your home projector to create an exciting game all of your guests will remember. The projector can be used on any blank wall, or if you plan on hanging outdoors for a barbeque then it can be projected onto the side of your home. The best thing is, if you don’t have cable or your cable company doesn’t offer the coverage you and your guests are looking for you can always stream the game straight from your phone. Since most phone packages give you an abundance of special features to choose from as well as full games, your guests will be pretty pleased with the amazing time you present for them you!
9. Coupons
Luckily enough, with the big game also comes some pretty Super Bowl sized coupons. Make sure you look for as many coupons as possible a week or two before the big game so you can collect everything you need to go shopping without worry. Most stores will provide you with coupons for common snacks and typical food choices like buffalo wings and hamburger patties. If you start your couponing early you should be able to plan out your meal around each of the coupons you have. Don’t be afraid to shop in the generic section too, as with a coupon you’ll also get more savings than imagined. Of course, when you do go shopping make sure to look around the store as there will be in store coupons next to some items!
10. Plan It Out
Before you take on the grocery store make sure you have concrete plans as this will help you avoid overspending whenever possible. By planning out your meal you’ll be less likely to splurge on many items and you’ll always have a backup plan. Keeping the entire party planned out will also avoid bland moments that may have you pulling out your debit card for a pizza just to keep the guests pleased. With everything on paper and ready for you to reference you won’t have to worry about straying from your budget or making a decision that will cost you too much.
This year you’ll be able to pull off an amazing Super Bowl party without a hitch. These ten tips will help you serve a spectacular variety of food while also ensuring your guests get to enjoy the game, mingle and have a little fun between activities. When it’s all said and done you can feel pretty proud over your incredible party even if you’re team didn’t come out as successful as you!
