Ahhh, it’s that time of year again. The time of year where football fans and others come together to eat pizza, place bets, and watch the big game. It’s Super Bowl weekend.
While Philadelphia Eagles fans and New England Patriots fans prepare for an emotional slug-fest, the rest of the world is focused on having great times with great friends.
Most sports fans will find a Super Bowl party to attend, but some will have the responsibility of hosting. To make sure that our brave Super Bowl hosts don’t stress about their task, we’ve put together a Do’s and Don’ts list for hosting a Super Bowl party.
Do: Get a good sleep the night before
Anyone that has hosted a party before knows that the host’s energy is a crucial part of the fun. A host needs to be prepared to deal with any problems that arise, and should always be on high-alert for whether or not their guests need anything. On top of that, they need to have some fun of their own – all of these reasons point towards the importance of a good night sleep.
Don’t: The Super Bowl is on a Sunday, but make sure your Saturday isn’t too crazy
Sometimes after the end of a long work week it can be tempting to make the most of those weekend nights. However, the Saturday before your Super Bowl party is not a great time to go bananas. Similarly to getting a good sleep, it is important that you are mentally aware when preparing to have a bunch of rowdy guests over. A clear mind will allow you to stay motivated and sharp while keeping your stress level to a minimum.
Do: Clean your living space
You may not mind living in your own mess, but your guests likely will. Make sure that you have wiped down the surfaces, swept the floor, done the dishes, and taken out the trash. A fresh house leads to a fresh party.
Don’t: Avoid the health food
Yes, it’s 2018 and everyone is crazy about their health. While gluten and lactose may be demonized more than ever these days, the Super Bowl is up there with Christmas and Thanksgiving when it comes to cheat days. Pizzas, wings, pop, and other sugary, greasy grub is an expectation on Super Bowl Sunday, not a treat.
Don’t: Make sure you don’t invite too many people
The term the more the merrier may apply to some parties, but when the party revolves around watching a football game it can easily feel overcrowded. People shouldn’t have to fight for seats, or compromise with a seating option that leads to an uncomfortable viewing. Invite the close pals, but don’t make them suffer by inviting everyone else as well.
Do: Keep the controller out of reach
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Super Bowl is all the different part of it. It’s so much more than just a football game. Between the game itself, the commercials, the halftime show, and the anthem, you never know what you’re going to miss if you decide to flip to some other programming. That even goes for blowouts, just look at what happened last year.
Don’t: Don’t forget about the after party
When the game finishes, your guests are at peak excitement. They’ve just watched a team achieve football supremacy, and with emotions set so high, it is likely that they aren’t headed home anytime soon. If you really can’t have people over anymore, make sure that you plan a different place for them to go. Whether it’s another friend’s house or even just hitting the bars, make sure you aren’t sending guests home before they’re done with the night.
Do: Decorate
What can make or break a Super Bowl party is the way the party looks when you first walk in. First impressions are important, and when guests walk in to see streamers, jerseys, or football cupcakes, they already know it’s going to be a good party. If they walk in to a bare living room, they may still have fun, but they certainly won’t be triggered the same way a football theme will.
Finally, have a good time. Hosting can be stressful, but it can also be very rewarding. If your guests leave happy then you’ll be happy – other than that mess you’ll have to clean, of course.
