There are many words that can describe the final game of the football season: passion, eagerness, excitement, rowdiness, and dedication! While most fans may never experience the thrill of the Super Bowl in person, this reality has paved the way for a cherished tradition: gathering with friends and family to watch the game at bars, restaurants, or in the comfort of home with lively watch parties. According to some polls, over half of all Americans will tune in to the big game on February 9th, making this the perfect time to host the perfect football party for your guests. Before the Game of Games kicks off, here are a few ideas to make your party truly epic!

The centerpiece of any football party is, of course, the game itself. Be sure that your TV is positioned for optimal viewing so that all guests have a comfortable seat with a clear view of the screen. Consider rearranging furniture and bringing in extra chairs for larger gatherings to accommodate your guests. Additional tables are also a must; inexpensive TV trays, often sold in four sets, are perfect for this purpose. You'll also want to make sure everyone has a place to set their drinks and food to prevent spills and minimize clean-up time after the game. Arrange seating to allow easy movement so guests can grab food and drinks or use the restroom without disturbing others. Thoughtful seating arrangements are key to hosting an epic football party.

The second most important aspect of your football party is the food. It's best to have all the food options in one area, away from the main viewing space and seating. While having small bowls of snacks scattered throughout the party area might seem convenient, it can often lead to crumbs in your viewing areas and guests missing out on all the food options. This can result in plates being passed around, causing loose chips on the carpet and chili spoons on the floor. To avoid these issues, setting up a designated buffet-style area for all your food can lead to a much better party experience.

According to a few sources found, about 1 in 7 people in the US will order takeout for the big game. While pizza, chicken wings, and chips & dips are the most popular, this can get expensive if you are planning on inviting more than 10 people to your party. 

Here is a list of party food ideas that are most popular for game day:

• Meatballs
• Guacamole, Chips & Salsa
• Pizza
• Chili 
• Buffalo wings
• Hummus and veggie tray
• Cheese Nachos
• Pigs in a blanket
• Sourdough bread with spinach artichoke dip
• Tater tots
• Seven-layer dip
• Potato Skins
• Potato chips, cheese puffs, pretzels
• Hot dogs
• Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
• Deviled eggs
• Deli meat sandwiches

Small parties will need 3-5 food options for 10 guests or less. Choose a main dish to serve, and arrange bowls of different sizes filled with different snacking options.

For larger parties, catering food may not be within your budget. To impress your guests and ensure there is enough food for everyone, it's suggested to have 5-7 food options. Offering 2-3 main dishes will give guests a choice for their meal and ensure there's plenty to go around. One of the easiest ways to feed a crowd is by creating a chili and baked potato bar. Prepare a large batch of chili in a crockpot the morning of the party, keeping the heat mild so everyone can enjoy it, and provide several bottles of hot sauce for those who like it spicier. The fun part is offering a variety of toppings for guests to customize their chili. Arrange small bowls of sour cream, different shredded cheeses, lettuce, diced tomatoes, tomatillos, diced fresh chilis, diced white and green onions, black olives, and any other toppings you think your guests will enjoy. Fritos, tortilla chips, and sliced bread make excellent chili accompaniments. Baked potatoes are also a great addition to the chili bar, as they can be prepared and put in the oven two hours ahead of time. They are a crowd favorite and pair perfectly with chili!

When planning the menu for your game day party, be mindful of your guests' food allergies and preferences, and keep it fun. You can never go wrong with classic party foods, but don't hesitate to get creative with your own recipes! While desserts are typically not a necessity for football parties, they can be a great addition for larger gatherings. Sweet treats are always a hit with your sugar-loving friends!

While seating and food planning will take up most of your efforts in hosting an epic football party, there are two additional elements that can make your event truly unforgettable: decorations and party favors. These final touches will ensure your guests are talking about your party all month long.

Party decorations can be elaborate and over-the-top, or just a few small touches to add to the football party atmosphere. A few popular options are:

• Green tablecloths: Use a green tablecloth on your food buffet table. You can find plastic, disposable tablecloths that are solid green or have printed football field designs online. Tablecloths are important as they help with cleanup and add a pop of color to the party room.
• Matching dinnerware: Look for matching plastic knives, forks, spoons, and paper plates of varying sizes online. These can enhance the theme and make serving easier. Don't forget to check your local dollar store. You'll be surprised at the variety of paper and plastic party dinnerware you can find.

• Team pennant banner: Cut out long triangles of colored paper in the two team’s colors. Find their logos online, print out several of each, and glue them to the triangles. Staple the widest part of each triangle to a thick black ribbon, spacing them about a foot apart. Hang the banner across the party room for a quick and easy team pennant decoration.

• Dish markers: Dress up your buffet table by creating dish markers. Cut 4-inch x 4-inch squares of heavy white cardstock, fold them in half, and write the name of each dish with a black marker. Place these markers next to each food option. To add color and fun, decorate the markers with a food-themed lapel pin, such as the options below. This not only enhances the table's appearance but also helps weigh the markers down, keeping them in place.

To avoid traffic to your fridge, consider using inflatable football stadium drink coolers. These come in a variety of fun designs and are perfect for keeping a large number of drinks cool. Simply inflate the cooler, fill it with ice and an assortment of canned and bottled beverages, and you're all set. This will keep guests from constantly opening the fridge and ensure drinks are easily accessible.

Custom wood coasters with a fun football design and your family name and year engraved on them can be a fun and memorable way to celebrate the occasion. At the end of the party, allow each guest to take one home as a keepsake. This is an excellent option for parties with 25 or more guests. Not only will you keep your tables clear of wet spots and rings, but everyone will appreciate the thoughtful gift.

You can find plenty of other great decorating ideas online, from football bingo to wall backdrops and photo booth decorations. Keep the theme green and football-focused, and you can't go wrong! Besides creating custom wood drink coasters, giving each partygoer a football-themed lapel pin to wear at the party and take home is a fantastic way to welcome guests and serve as a fun ice-breaker. Purchase a few different designs and place them in a glass bowl so everyone can choose a pin upon arrival, making it fun and inclusive for everyone to get into the team spirit!

Finally, it is always fun to have some sort of prize at the end of the party who guesses the winning team and who can guess what the final score will be. PinMart’s Engravable Football Medal is the perfect epic prize for your winner!

Have the team names and the year engraved on the back for an inexpensive but memorable prize for your party. 

Hosting the perfect EPIC football party does take a little work and planning, but your effort is always appreciated. Keep your guests raving and having a blast while watching the game this year. Stay safe and have fun!