Whether your favorite team is playing, or you just want to see who loses, watching the Super Bowl with your friends and family is a fun tradition. But sometimes, keeping track of the preparations and accounting for all the little details is quite a hassle.
This time, however, you'll be armed with a tried-and-true list of how to make your Super Bowl party a total smash hit!
Keep Snacks Nearby
One of the mistakes most people make when hosting the big game is not having enough space for everyone to place their drinks and leaving easy access to snacks.
But no worries; you can easily fix this issue by placing trays on coffee tables, end tables, foldable side tables, and even ottomans. Using trays lowers the risk of harmful spills on your furniture and makes it easier to move around for refills. And with everything within arm's distance, your guests never have to miss a minute of the action!
Drinks & Good Eats
While most guests will be happy with the snacks on the table, there's no need to limit yourself to chips and salsa (or guac if you prefer). And while you can prep all the good eats in the kitchen, keeping them there might prevent your guests from fully appreciating your hard work.
Since everyone will be intently watching the game, including those zany commercial breaks, a rolling food or beverage cart or buffet table provides convenient access to all the grub. You'll be able to offer a more comprehensive selection of food and drinks and quickly move the spread out of the way once everyone serves themselves. And restocking is no problem whatsoever.
Just make sure you have enough space between your tables and seating to maneuver your mobile eats station so that you don't have to bother your guests!
Pro Tip: If you're more of a drink's person, you can use the cart to serve your favorite vintages and brews. You can also create a makeshift home bar on a bookshelf if you prefer having it more out of the way.
Places Everyone
Naturally, every Super Bowl watch party needs two fundamental essentials: a proper TV setup and enough seating for everyone!
To set up your TV to the right angle, consider an entertainment center to raise it or mount it on the wall with an articulating TV mount. Make sure to hook up everything and test it all out before game day so you avoid the embarrassment of people watching a blank screen.
As for seating, you'll want to have enough seating to make everyone comfortable. A curved sectional will provide plenty of seating and ensure everyone has a decent angle to watch. If you have a setup with multiple sofas and chairs, you run the risk of people leaving extra space between them and another guest, using up all the seating space.
You can also add other seating such as accent chairs, ottomans, and even bean bags to even everything up. Just don't forget to make sure that everyone has an excellent TV-watching angle.
Don't Forget the Kids!
Watching football is just one of the many ways a family can bond, so don't forget to include your kiddos in all the fun! You can provide extra seating with small poufs, ottomans, or large floor pillows and make your little ones feel included.
But if you have children that aren't as interested in the score as the adults are, or if they get easily bored, try creating a designated kid's space they can turn to. Fill it with toys, board games, or even make their own watch party with their latest cartoon favorite.
This way, you can avoid the inevitable cries of "Mommy, I'm so bored!" and keep track of the score in peace.
Adults Need Quiet Time Too
Now, we know not everyone is a big football fan, so some of your guests might not be as excited to watch every play. But that doesn't mean they can't have a good time, too.
Try creating a quiet nook for the plus-ones, spouses, and friends of a friend to hang out and relax. You can even bring out board games or card games like Monopoly or Uno for everyone to bond over. And you can't go wrong with a smashing game of Jenga.
Don't forget to leave a cache of snacks and appetizers, so they don't have to run to the kitchen and interrupt their own competitive games!
Bonus Expert Tips
As a host, your work is never really done. But there are some extra measures you can take to make your life a little easier. For instance:
- Set up surround sound, so the TV doesn't have to compete with all the party sounds and everyone can hear the announcers.
- Remove all your breakables and other valued items from the main watch party area.
- Create a designated spot for the remote or tie it to a long string so you can easily find it.
- If your TV is smaller than 40 inches, consider upgrading to a larger size or using a projector on a blank wall or sheet.
- Provide enough air circulation with fans or open windows. More people equal more body heat!
- Avoid the glare with window treatments or try covering your windows around your TV with sheets or butcher paper. You can also opt for softer lighting.
- Decorate with the favored team colors! Make everything more festive and provide support for your team.
- Make a clear pathway around the seating area so no one feels cramped and can move more efficiently around your home.
Revamp Your Space
Whether you love hosting shindigs or have the biggest space out of your friends and family, a lot goes into Super Bowl preparations. But one thing you shouldn't overlook is your living room furniture! If your seating isn't up to par or if your occasional tables are looking a little banged up, it might be time for an upgrade!
Not sure where to start looking? Give our team a call! At Radtke Appliance & Mattress we'll be sure to help you find what you need just in time for kickoff!