Five Steps to a better S*per B*wl Party
And for the record, I don’t know why the NFL gets their jocks in a twist over using the actual name of what has become the biggest sporting event on the planet this side of the World Cup. Yes it’s their game, and yes they can do what they want with the name. But talk about an Elephant in the Room. Here’s a few ways to guarantee that the party you’re hosting, or going to this Sunday lives up to its fullest potential. Above photo – Steve Carlton
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1. Invite Women – Attend parties only where they’re invited.
This is no different than a poker game. If you’re invited to a game day get together and there’s a specific ban on females from attending? Don’t go. It’ll be lame. This ain’t Bart Simpson’s tree-house.
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2. Don’t order food the day of. Have everyone bring something.
Delivery can already be sketchy. But this Sunday? Forget it. Wait times will be enormous, staff will be overworked, and you’re risking making your guests go hungry. If you’re hosting, ask everyone to bring something small. You provide either something substantial (like pork tenderloin which always works well) or forget a main dish and just make a couple sides. If there’s ever a meal to graze for 4 hours, this is it.
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3. Dress Down. But not out – Rugby Shawl Collar – $52.49 ($128) or LEC – $28.99 ($49.50)
Feel free to fly your Pittsburgh or Green Bay colors if you got em’. Bonus points if you’re a die-hard of another team and still want to wear that jersey on Sunday (once watched a Packers/Vikings game with a crazed Bears fan. Not only did he show up in a Cade McKnown jersey, he brought his own Bears helmet snack bowl.) For us non apparel owners, a pair of jeans, classic sneaks, and a cotton jersey shawl collar cardigan like either of these will be fine.
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4. Upgrade your House Beer – Newcastle 5L Draught Keg – SRP: $22.99
Many will be bringing a sixer of their favorite beer anyway, but if you’re hosting, it’s good to have a good quantity of beer on hand for backup. Don’t resort to buying the light lager/pislner swill you were slogging in college. Consider a home draft of an upgrade. The guys at Newcastle got in touch with us to let us know they’ve been putting their beer in one of those things draught keg thingers for a bit now. (Full disclosure, they sent us one to give it a look/taste/run) At 150 calories per 12oz, it won’t bloat you by the second quarter, and at 4.7 ABV it’s not a watery lightweight, nor is it some monster Barley Wine. Drinkable. For the whole show. Smoother & cheaper than bottles.
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5. Have a football on hand for Halftime – Wilson NFL Game Size Composite Ball – $21.89
The Black Eyed Peas are this year’s halftime show. Um. Well. Remember the game 500? At this point, kill the excruciatingly long half time by having all the guys who’ve had a few beverages head out into the street/field nearby. Everyone puts $5 in. Winner takes the pot. And don’t come crying to me if one of you tears an ACL.
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6. BONUS: Know the prop bets! – No more than $10.00
Yep. The Prop Bets. Forget the spread or the over under. How long will Christina Aguilera hold the note on “Brave” at the end of the National Anthem? The line is 6 seconds. Pick a few bets, place no more than a dollar or two down on the weird ones with a few of your friends, and it’ll add some not too expensive excitement to the game. Here’s some of the better prop bets, from here –
- How long will it take Christina Aguilera to sing the National Anthem?
Over/Under 1 minute 50 seconds - How long will Christina Aguilera hold the note “Brave” at the end of the National Anthem?
Over/Under 6 seconds - How Many Times will FOX mention “Brett Favre” on TV during the Game?
Over/Under 2.5 - Will a Steelers player do the Aaron Rodgers Championship Belt Celebration during the game?
Yes EVEN
No -140