OK, so there’s no Bay Area team in Sunday’s Super Bowl. There
isn’t even a team from California. But, that’s no excuse for
throwing a shabby Super Bowl party. Depending on what time you read
this, there’s about 48 hours left to plan the perfect bash to honor
the almighty pigskin.
OK, so there’s no Bay Area team in Sunday’s Super Bowl. There isn’t even a team from California. But, that’s no excuse for throwing a shabby Super Bowl party. Depending on what time you read this, there’s about 48 hours left to plan the perfect bash to honor the almighty pigskin.
Decorations
That’s right, decorations. This may be a foreign concept to some fans whose world view narrows to a pinpoint during football season. But any Super Bowl party is improved by a few simple room trimmings.
“We have lots of people coming in for banners and pennants to decorate their house if they’re having a party,” said Bill Mifsud, owner of Bill’s Bullpen in Hollister. “We’re selling a hat here and there, too. Mostly, people just want both teams represented at the party because there aren’t exactly a lot of rabid Colts or Bears fans in the area. If it was a California team, we’d have people coming in and saying, ‘Give me everything you’ve got.'”
If you want to go with some simple basics, head to a dollar store or a drugstore and invest in some crepe paper streamers and balloons in the two team colors. The Indianapolis Colts’ official team colors are blue and white. The Chicago Bears’ colors are navy blue, orange and white. The Super Bowl party Web site http://super-bowl-fun.com suggests dividing the party room down the center and dedicating one team’s colors to each side. That way, guests can sit on the side of the team they’re rooting for.
And before you jump in the car to go buy your pennants, it’s a good idea to call ahead. Some places, like Sports Authority in Gilroy, only sell paraphernalia for California teams.
Setting Up
Even though Super Bowl parties are typically a casual affair, give some forethought to all your guests, not just the die-hard fans.
“A lot of times, people bring their families along to Super Bowl parties, so there will be a mix of people,” said Linda Estill, owner of Feelin’ Festive! party planning service in Gilroy. “I recommend having activities for the non-sports fans. Have some board games or cards set up for kids, or have another television set up in a different room with a DVD player and movies. Have some magazines around. Make sure everyone is taken care of.”
Also make sure you know how many people will be coming over and plan accordingly. Make sure everyone has a place to sit and that you have enough room for all the food. The folks at A to Z Party Rental in Hollister said they often get frantic last-minute calls from people needing more chairs and tables.
The party-planning Web site www.party411.com suggests having suction cup-tipped darts on hand or other soft objects, such as cotton balls or Styrofoam balls available at craft stores. When a referee makes a bad call or someone on the opposing team intercepts the ball, fans can express their frustration by throwing these things at the television screen.
The site also suggests making the game more interesting by expanding the betting pool. Instead of just making friendly wagers on what team will win, bet on whether there will overtime, who will be named MVP or how many interceptions will happen.
Food
Aside from the game itself, food is probably the most important element of any Super Bowl party. Millennium Gourmet caterers in Morgan Hill said they’ve done lots of “bar” food and buffet-style foods at past Super Bowl parties.
“People like things you can pick up and walk around with, like meatballs, sausages, wraps – what we call ‘portable food,'” said Ray Ynegas, owner. “A lot of people try to emulate a tailgate party with barbecued food, too.”
Ynegas said he hadn’t booked any Super Bowl parties this year, but he wasn’t surprised. He said people tend to go all-out when a California team makes it to the big game, but for years such as this one they stick to party platters they can pick up at Costco or the grocery store.
Super Bowl time is one of the top three times of year for take-and-bake pizzas at Nob Hill, along with Halloween and New Year’s Eve, said Nicole Townsend, a spokesperson for the grocery store. This is also the peak time of year for sales of the store’s pre-cooked ribs, which can be reheated or eaten cold.
Townsend said the stores also see a spike in sales of their various party platters, such as sushi, fruit and cheese with meat, as well as their pasta and potato salads and their pre-made dips and guacamole.
Top off your food spread with the perfect pigskin desserts. Dina Fiorio, owner of Baskin Robbins on First Street in Gilroy, said she’ll have football designs on several ice cream cakes. Morgan Hill Bakery is stocked up with football-shaped cookies as well as cakes and cupcakes decorated with footballs, the Super Bowl logo and team emblems.
