by Nicole Mcclearn Sanchez

Created on: January 06, 2010

The holidays are over, but the festivities continue with a countdown to the hottest football ticket of the year, Super Bowl Sunday.

It’s a time when football diehards and fair weather fans unite to celebrate the most anticipated game of the year.  Start your party planning now. 

Whether you’re in it for the game time, half time or simply the commercials, the Super Bowl is a great reason to throw a party. 

Once you have a list of your confirmed invitees, a food and beverage menu is in order.  Forget the wings and pizza and get creative.  Since it’s likely you’ll have more guests than table seating, keep it simple and target finger foods that don’t require a fork or knife.   Also avoid greasy items that easily stain furniture and clothes. 

Create your own super sub.  Purchase large Italian bread loaves and layer them with a variety of cold cuts and cheese and slice into small sections.  Put together a condiment tray with mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, tomato and onion so guests can pick and choose their own toppings. 

Bake up some nacho bites.  Start with authentic Mexican tortilla chips, cover with refried beans (the canned variety are fine), sprinkle with shredded Chihuahua cheese and top off with a pickled jalapeno slice. Warm in oven or microwave and layout on a party tray.

Whip up some simple spinach dip.  In a sauté pan combine one block of cream cheese, two cups chopped cooked spinach, one half-cup Parmesan cheese and two table spoons of milk.  When the mixture is soft and well blended, transfer to a bowl and serve with pita chips.  For a spicy kick stir in some crushed red pepper to taste. 

Of course don’t forget to put out potato chips, pretzels and nuts near the seating areas, and for sweet treats serve caramel popcorn, oatmeal cookies and chocolate brownies.

Keep the liquor simple.   Beer is a must, both light and regular, have a couple of bottles of wine handy, white and red and design your own vodka bar.  Be sure to have cranberry juice, tonic and soda water, vermouth, lemons, limes and olives.  Add a bucket of ice and allow guests to mix up their own cocktails. 

Throwing a party should be fun for the guests as well as the host.  Set your food and beverages up self-serve-style so guests feel comfortable to help themselves.  Then sit back and enjoy the game, commercials or simply the company. 

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