Host Your Own Fantasy Football Draft Party

Yep, it's that time again! Pull out the beer! Hook up the big screen! Get the chips, the dips, the Cheetos, the nachos, the gut-busters, and for God's sake take the phone off the hook! Have a computer handy, get your pens and papers and score cards, and get ready. It's time to play some football. Fantasy football. And the really cool thing? You don't have to follow the NFL to do it.

So what could possibly be better than having a dream team of your very own in your favorite sport? Hosting a party where you can kick off the season, then gloat. Forego the Martha Stewart invitations and send out an email. Just make sure you establish the date, time and location, and you're golden. An RSVP might be a good idea if you're inviting a roomful of people, or if you have that one friend who brings twelve others. So get that draft going, and I don't necessarily mean the beer.

Here's a few tips to get you started:

• Set the atmosphere. Put coolers filled with ice beside the chairs and on the table. If you have one of those split-screen televisions, put the games on. If you have several televisions, turn them all on a game. (You might want to clear this with your spouse first.) Crank up the radio. Have several options available. Put out your football collectibles, purchase paper plates that carry the theme. Wear your team jersey, and encourage your participants to do the same. Stick footballs around the house. If you're feeling really adventurous, you can even tape a fifty yard line down the center of your den.

• Feed the beast! Hot wings and pizza are a football staple. "Gut-buster" burgers on rolls are also fun. The idea is to have plenty of finger foods that your guests can grab without worrying about cutlery or making a mess. Food really is on the sidelines here. Once things get going, eating is automatic. Be sure to have bowls of snacks handy, anything from candy to chips to the dreaded healthy veggie trays. Load up the coolers with canned drinks and beer. Sports drinks are fun. Add a shot of vodka for that extra kick-off.

• These parties can be long. Make sure there is plenty of comfortable seating when hosting in your house. You'll have your sprawlers who lounge on the floor, those that insist on a table, and so on. There should be space for everyone. If you still have those tv trays, you might want to pull them out.

Now to the nitty-gritty.

• Nominate your "officials". Make sure all the rules are laid out for drafting, scoring, trading, and any other issues that may come up. Elect a referee, scorekeeper, and treasurer. Finally, elect someone who can oversee the season as a whole. A league president, as it were. Or, have one person be a league commissioner, who takes over all the duties.

• Make sure you have a large board for the stats. List the team names. Have a contest to see who can come up the most bizarre name, and give them a six-pack as a prize. List the team members under each team name. CBS Sportsline offers draft boards which are highly recommended. Agree to a time limit for the drafts, and have fun with it.

• Have available internet access. There are many online stats to keep up with.

What if the spouse says "Not no, but. . ." to a house party? Call your local sports bars and see if you can host a drafting party there. Some restaurants, such as Buffalo Wild Wings, will even kick in with food. Be sure to check with your local restaurant before informing your buddies.

Make sure everyone is well fed and taken of. These drafts can take several hours. If there is a lot of drinking, make sure there is also a lot of couch space, or a designated driver. And once the rules are set, the teams are picked, and the season is on, then bring it!

Sources:

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy
http://www.ehow.com/how_2074047_host-fantasy-football-party.html
http://www.evite.com/app/cms/ideas/fantasy-football