Are you getting ready to watch the big game February 5? Although I’m admittedly not a diehard football fan, my husband is a big fan and we always follow the Tennessee Titans and we NEVER miss Super Bowl Sunday!
Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson knows that planning and preparation are as important on the field as they are for hosting game-day parties. Here are a few of his great tips to help you win fans at your Big Game bash this year:
• Crunch the numbers: Count on guests each eating between 8 – 12 servings of appetizers over a two-hour period. Plan on two nonalcoholic drinks per guest during the first hour, and one for each hour after that. Buy about a pound of ice per guest for drinks.
• Tackle the food prep early: Make as much of the food ahead of time as you can. Peel, chop and prep veggie trays a day or two in advance. Dips and desserts can be made the day before. If you’ll be making anything in a slow cooker, prep all your ingredients the day before, so that all you have to do when you wake up is put them in the cooker and turn it on.
• Create a winning game plan: Pick your game day snacks based upon the teams that are playing – if one of the teams is from Texas, serve your guests Chile Con Carne. If there is a team from Wisconsin, serve First Down Jalapeno Cheese Dip.
• Call on your special teams: If you want a great dessert, but don’t bake, ask your baking friends to work their magic for the party. Get the resident chili expert to make his best, and let your friend the décor expert set the scene. They’ll enjoy working in their zones, and you get a few things taken off your to-do list.
• Let the Pee Wee League play, too: Let the kids help out with party prep! Older kids can help make food and younger ones can set out utensils, cups and plates. You can appoint some special “Trash Referees” to patrol the party and help clean up plates and cups during the game, so there’s not a big mess to clean up afterward.
• Control the crowd: Every party will have die-hard fans who want to focus on the game as well as casual fans that are there for the party and, let’s face it, the ads. Set up televisions in two different viewing rooms that cater to both fans’ enthusiasm so everyone can enjoy the game in the atmosphere they choose.
• Share the home field advantage: Not all your guests will be cheering on the same team, so be sure to decorate your party with both teams’ colors to make everyone feel at home.
Do you need a little help getting ready for the big game? One lucky Savvy Housewife reader will win a Big Game Gift Pack valued at $100! The prize pack includes everything you need to get ready for your next big game day party:
- $75 Visa Gift Card
- A Cheez-It™ Snack Cracker Bowl
- A box of Sunshine® Cheez-It® Original snack crackers
- A box of Keebler® Town House® Flipsides® Original crackers
- A box of Keebler® Soft Batch® Chocolate Chip cookies
- A box of Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies Treats® Original bars
- Recipe cards featuring LaDainian Tomlinson’s favorite game day foods
To enter, simply answer the following question:
“When entertaining for football’s biggest game, what plays do you make to ensure the home team’s happy?”
For up to two additional entries, please do the following (and please leave a separate comment letting me know if you’ve done either of these extra entries):
• Post a link to this giveaway on Facebook
• Subscribe to the Savvy Housewife.com RSS Feed
Limit one (1) Giveaway entry per person for entire Giveaway. Entrants for the “Big Game Gift Pack” giveaway may not participate with multiple e-mail addresses. Any entrant who attempts to enter with multiple e-mail addresses, under multiple identities or uses any other device will be disqualified from participation in the promotion and all entries submitted by that entrant will be void.
I’ll select a winner from all eligible comments using Random.org; giveaway closes at midnight CST Tuesday, January 31.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees of Sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate
Disclosure: I received a prize pack as a thank you for posting this contest. Amazon affiliate link used.
Savvy Housewife is a shopping blog featuring product reviews, great giveaways, and fabulous finds. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed as well as visit and subscribe to my main mom blog, BlondeMomBlog.com, for more great content from this 42-year-old Nashville working mom.
