September 5th, 2008, 3:12 PM
As the hot days of summer draw to a close, football fans across the country begin to anticipate the sizzling action of football season. While watching the big game with friends at a local sports bar can be a blast, it’s often quite expensive and isn’t conducive to including the whole family in the fun. As an easy and affordable alternative, why not host a football party? With fall just around the corner, it’s a great time to begin planning your big event. Let’s explore a few ideas and suggestions that will help your party score big.
It’s likely that you and your friends will attend some (if not all!) of the home events, so it’s best to plan your party to coincide with an away game. Pore through your team’s schedule and select a date. To create maximum excitement and anticipation, try to choose an away game against one of your team’s biggest rivals.
Once the date of your party is set, you can begin spreading the word to guests. Invitations can be as simple as printed fliers using your team’s colors or sending envelopes affixed with football-themed stickers. Sending simple, ticket-sized invitations printed on cardstock is also a fun way to announce your event.
Decorating for your football-themed party can be as easy as hanging balloons, pom-poms, or streamers in your team’s colors. Banners painted on fabric or poster board can be hung inside or stapled to stakes and used as yard decorations. Face painting and the wild, colorful wigs traditionally worn at the stadium can be included as spirited in your party line-up. When selecting paint for your guests’ faces, be sure to look for the variety that’s designed for use on skin. Paint labeled “non-toxic” is not poisonous if ingested, but may cause allergic reactions. Using “washable” markers on the skin is also not advisable, as the washable properties of the ink apply to fabric rather than skin. Stains left behind by washable markers can linger on the skin for days.
Since your guests will likely be noshing in front of the TV, plan your menu around foods that can be eaten with the fingers or using a single utensil. A buffet style set-up works well, enabling guests to serve themselves and hop up for seconds (or thirds!) quickly. In addition to snacks and dip, pizza, chicken wings, chili, and deli-style sandwich platters are popular fare for football parties. Melon, cheese, and pineapple cut into finger-food-sized wedges and baby carrots and celery with dip are a few healthy additions for your food line-up. Be sure to have plenty of beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on hand for your guests. Halftime is a great opportunity to serve dessert. A sheet cake with goal posts at each end and sprinkled with green coconut or iced with yard lines is a snap to make.
When it comes to watching the game, the bigger the screen the better. Although a gigantic screen size isn’t a hard and fast requirement, it’s crucial that all of your guests can see the TV. If you have multiple televisions on hand, one smart option is to set up a second viewing area. A bleacher-style seating arrangement also helps to ensure that everyone enjoys a good viewing angle.
It’s a great idea to set aside a separate space for kids. Soft footballs and pom-poms can be used for indoor games, and kids can have loads of fun with clackers and other noisemakers. Having child-appropriate movies and games on hand will ensure that the kids are entertained and will allow the diehard sports fans to focus on the game.
After the last play, plan on spending some time with your guests re-capping game highlights and socializing. Replenish the buffet if needed, and invite guests to enjoy seconds of cake. Serving a hot beverage, such as coffee or hot chocolate, is a nice way to wind down the party.
Whether or not your team is victorious, your guests are sure to be “bowled over” by your well-planned football party. Friends may follow your lead and kick-off the next party at their place. Whether in the stadium or at home, sharing the season with fellow fans adds to the excitement. Enjoy the season!
February 27th, 2008, 7:53 PM
If any of you have read some of my past posts, you will see that my family and I are HUGE Pittsburgh Steeler fans. Today is a sad in Steeler land. Myron Cope has passed away! He was Steeler Football…including being the creator of The Terrible Towel™.
The memories of listening to Myron Cope announce the games will always stay with us.
Rest in peace Myron, and all of us Steeler fans will cheer a little harder for you!
February 1st, 2008, 5:34 PM
According to Men’s Health, “Americans consume more calories as a nation on Super Bowl Sunday than on any other day of the year…” To be accurate, they state that by the time that the Super Bowl Game is over, “Americans will have downed 156 BILLION calories.” Yes, I did say BILLION, with a B. That is amazing!!!
So whether you are cheering for the New England Patriots or the New York Giants, my suggestion to you is to add in a veggie tray or some low calorie treats amongst those high calorie items.
Here are some ideas I have that your guests won’t even know:
Use light Velveeta cheese in the cheese dip.
Use Hidden Valley Ranch Lite, rather than the regular Ranch.
Use Light Butter in the Wing Sauce.
Check out the Men’s Health Guide to Super Bowl for all sorts of cool tips!
I think if you use your head while cooking up your grub for your party, we can come up with a game plan to save just a few calories and maybe, with all hope, we can save the American community a BILLION calories or so!
PS…Even though my Pittsburgh Steelers are not in the Super Bowl, I will be sitting in front of the TV with my Celery, Carrots and Light Ranch cheering for whoever is behind at that moment.
September 26th, 2007, 3:34 PM
I just love this delicacy during a cook out or tailgate party!
Here are a few tips that will help you out on your deep frying adventure.
Cooking time table:
Let turkey set for 20 min before carving.
Now enjoy! 
If you are looking for a Turkey Fryer, Bass Pro Shop has some great ones. You can go to Basspro.com to order yours today!
September 22nd, 2007, 1:15 PM
GO PENN STATE!!!
vs. 
Penn State is playing Michigan today and I have to miss the game. My son is playing his own football game today.
I am a born and raised Michigan girl who converted to a Penn State fan when I moved to Pennsylvania about 6 years ago. This game is the toughest game for me to watch. I have an internal fight inside, but alway scream for Penn State!
Tailgate Tip of the Day:
Check out Penn States tailgating tips here.
September 9th, 2007, 2:41 PM
Here is a tip to keep those burgers, brats, and dogs hot!
When grilling for a large number of people, have you ever had a problem keeping hamburgers, brats or hot dogs hot and moist? Here is a little tip that my mom told me.
What you will need:
Mix all ingredients in a large roaster, heat over medium heat. Add your burgers, brats or hot dogs as they get done.
This will keep all of your meat hot and moist.
Click here if you are looking for NFL Tickets.
Football season is here and that means another reason to have a party!!!
Do the words Quick, Easy and Meal pique your interest? Here is my favorite sloppy joe recipe that a family friend always makes.
What you will need:
Brown 3 pounds hamburger, onion (as desired) and salt to taste. Drain. Add tomato paste, brown sugar, A-1 Steak Sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, tomato soup and tomato sauce. Cook over medium heat slowly at least 1 hour, stirring often. Serve on buns.
Bring the mixture in a crock pot, keep on low heat and stir throughout the day to keep your meal fresh for all that attend.
SuperBowl XLI is only 3 weeks away. Are you ready for your SuperBowl party? Although my Pittsburgh Steelers are not in the SuperBowl, it is a great reason to have a party! One thing to remember is to keep it simple. You want to have fun too!
Here are a few tips to a successful SuperBowl Party.
December 30th, 2006, 4:26 AM
After all the streamers have fallen and all the balloons are gone, New Year’s Eve turns into New Year’s Day, and we all know that means ….FOOTBALL!!!