Congratulations! You were asked to plan your first NFL themed
party! It might have been because your favorite team has lost the
championship to secure them in the Super Bowl (and you want to
celebrate your favorite team just because or you want to celebrate
football in general--and let's face it, no one wants to watch
possible teams they don't like...2012 Super Bowl for example) or
because you have a loved one who is into football and requests a
party based on it. Regardless of the situation this book will help
you plan your party from start to finish, easy and painlessly.
Getting Started
Before sending out the invitations, decide if you want to have a
party based on a specific team or you want a general party focused on
the NFL in general. For example, in 2011 I had a Packers themed party
complete with Packers decorated cupcakes and balloons. In 2012 I had
a general themed party celebrating the whole NFL--my friends came
dressed up in their favorite jerseys; cupcakes were decorated with
the favorite teams of the guests and the plates were simply just
footballs. For both, we had competitive games planned. Once you have
planned how broad or general you want your party to be, you can work
on invitations. For this how to, we'll be planning a generalized
NFL theme.
Guest Lists, Shopping
Lists and Organization
This section might
seem like a no brainer, but organization is the backbone to a party
and without organization, well...it wouldn't be good.
Guest lists:
Putting together a guest list is pretty easy. There are two ways
in which you can set up a guest list.
In Microsoft Word:
Open Word.
Go to (2010) or Open (2003).
You will see an area that reads "New." Click it.
You will be given a list of templates you can use.
Getting Ready for the
Party
Food Food is the most important
piece to a party. Listed below are great food ideas of perfect finger
foods that guests will love. I have proved the best of great food
ideas and how to obtain or make them. I will include recipes in the
appendix.
Bratwurst
Chicken wings
Local supermarkets or restaurants have chicken wings for
cheap. Restaurants also provide a low-cost order with the
opportunity of different flavors that you might not get with frozen
wings from the store.
Handmade is fun and not time consuming at all. Whether
breaded or not, spicy or mild, you can control what your personal
preferences are.
Potato skins
Wegmans or local grocery store
Handmade, again fun and not time consuming at all. You can
make the consistency and thickness to your liking (e.g. jam packed
with potato or not very filled, but lots of bacon and cheese).
NFL Themed Cupcakes (pictured on the cover)
I would suggest going to the local grocery store for this
one--it could be time consuming.
If you have a lot of time, check out the recipe I will
provide in the appendix.
Chips, pretzels, popcorn, etc.
Fruit and vegetable trays.
Of course you can add as many items as you like, you're not
limited. However, it should be like a tailgate party. At tailgate
parties you don't get very sophisticated food, but finger foods
that are easy to pick at and easily to eat on the go.
Decorations
Decorations are the backbone to the aesthetics of a party. Below
are some decorating ideas.
Place team jerseys on the back of the chairs. This will give
the feeling that you're a part of the team.
If allowed, hang posters or pictures of your favorite
players. To the right: display of my Packers stock.
Games
Like music, games are essential to a party. They are fun and
guests love fun things. Fun things = good; boring things = bad,
remember that. For a NFL party, anything that isn't competitive
equals bad. However, it doesn't have to be over competitive because
that would be equally bad with fights and whatnot. Below I have
listed some fun activities.
Wing Bowl
Each year before the Super Bowl, places hold a Wing Bowl that
garner national attention. For a party, why not create your own wing
bowl? When I mentioned this to the people coming to my party, the
enthusiasm was out of this world. Planning a NFL Party, a wing bowl
would be a nice little touch to it. Hot or mild sauce, your guests
will enjoy this. I had mine set for three minutes, but you can make
the duration any length you want.
Relay Race
I played this game while I was out in Green Bay for the tailgate
party before the Packers game. It's a great game for competitiveness
and bizarre antics on the part of everyone--daring the loser to chug
a shot of something or winning prizes--this game will definitely put
a smile on everyone's face, even the most competitive of the
group.
1.) Break into two or three groups. Name each group for
a quarterback (for example: Team Rivers, Team Rodgers and Team
Tebow). There should be two people to a group. 2.) As they walk,
they must alternate the plastic cups. They should circle the cone
until they get to the point where they started. No dropping. 3.)
Once person #1 finishes, pass the stack of cups to person #2. They
will have to repeat. 4.) Whoever gets back first wins!
Shirt Signing
This is another idea I stole from the tailgate party in Green Bay,
but it's so ridiculous that it makes everyone laugh.
1.) Get a group of four people. 2.) Make them put on a pair of
men's underwear and undershirt. 3.)They must obtain the most
signatures from everyone in the crowd to win.
Pictures, Pictures,
Pictures!
Closing
I hope this manual has been of some help to you while you prepare
for your NFL themed party. I hope you have a great time and that
whatever you have planned creates wonderful, cherished memories.
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