Super Bowl Parties Made Simple

Frankly, it doesn't matter if you don't know what a field goal is. It doesn't even matter if you're not quite sure whether football is 'that sport where the guys make baskets' or 'that sport where the guys wear lots of padding'. You can still throw the perfect Super Bowl party no matter your level of actual engagement with the game, thanks to the following words of broke-girl-friendly advice from award-winning event producer Cara Kleinhaut.

The great news about throwing a little fete for the guys, especially the football-watching types, is that a little goes a LONG way. Just by preparing food and replenishing it regularly, you will be praised as the “ultimate” girlfriend. You feed him AND let him watch sports with the guys at your place? Marriage proposal coming tomorrow.

This is not the time for fancy canapés. This is the perfect excuse to put together a lovely spread on a budget and look like a genius while doing it. Simply opening the bag of chips and actually pouring it INTO a bowl (as opposed to swallowing it in gulps straight from the bag, as many of our lovely guys like to do…ahem!) will be a major first step.

Here’s what I would do:

Pick one table to set out most of your food items -- it's better to have one main impact space (for budget and space considerations) instead of trying to spread it around. Either cover an existing table with a white cloth or borrow a neighbor’s folding table (approximately 6' long). Select natural bamboo serving pieces (now available at most supermarkets) in various shapes, small bowls for dips, large square platters, and long thin trays for cheese and crackers. These look natural and not too girly, but still coordinated and modern. We still need some type of centerpiece, but we're probably not going to take the floral route. Rather, fill some tall, glass cylinders of different heights with miniature sparkly spheres in the colors of your team. These can be found at a craft store pre-made, or you can make your own a couple days in advance with small styrofoam balls, glue, and glitter.

Large white buckets with side handles can be placed on the side of the main table and filled with self-serve, iced beverages. Always include some sparkling waters and soft drinks (even the guys drink diet… or should!) to accompany the beer du jour. This avoids the need to pay a bartender or to spend the entire game pouring drinks yourself.

And lastly, a great entertainment tip -- invite over at least two cute, single girlfriends. This will be appreciated and noticed more than any décor or food you could ever purchase.

Easy Menu Ideas:
- A cheeseboard assortment with pre-cut (by you) cubes and a variety of hearty crackers. Nothing fancy, just buy blocks of cheese rather than slices.

- Homemade guacamole. So simple, so cheap, so yum. (Combine ripe avocados, fresh cilantro, lime, salt, and viola!) Make a big batch of this but serve it in small bowls so the double-dipping doesn’t transform this into some type of bad tortilla soup by half-time. Another trick -- keep the pit of the avocado in the guacamole after it’s made, and it will keep it nice and green!

- MEAT: the guys need meat. A low-budget, high-impact “charcuterie” of sorts with pre-sliced salami, turkey, hams, sliced pickles, etc., all set out on a cutting board. Store-bought pestos (regular, sun-dried, artichoke, etc.) in small dipping bowls should accompany this board and will look oh-so-gourmet (and all you have to do is open the package).

- Homemade tomato and mango salsas.

- Mix hummus and tabouli together, place in a bowl, and surround with fresh baguette slices.

All of these items are easily replenished so that you are not stuck in the kitchen, freeing you to cheer and do embarrassing end zone dances with the rest of the party.