Tips for Hosting a Family-Friendly Super Bowl Party

My wife and I have plenty of siblings to go around. Between kids, parents and grandparents there can easily be 30 people at large family gatherings. Super Bowl parties are no exception. Sometimes you just have to bring kids because it's a Sunday and there's no school.

Here are some tips to keep a family-friendly Super Bowl party fun for everyone.

Keep Food Simple

Whether you make your own food, order out or even cater a Super Bowl party, keep your food selections simple. Pizza, party trays, finger foods and the like are all great ways to maintain order when entertaining many guests. There doesn't have to be elaborate meals for just an annual party.

Something for Everyone

The phrase "something for everyone" should be on your mind hosting a Super Bowl party. Teenagers may want to watch the game or play video games in another room. Toddlers will need to be active with toys and games appropriate for them. Food for different ages and tastes will also have to be included--younger kids probably wouldn't eat spicy hot wings. When everyone is included, everyone has fun.

Central Location

The television shouldn't be very far from the food and vice versa. Whether snack trays are on coffee tables or on a buffet line off the side, a Super Bowl party is probably the only party in the world that revolves around television. As such, the game shouldn't be far from the snacks.

Disposables

You'll want clean up to go easy once your guests have gone. There's no need for fine silverware and fancy dinnerware. Paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils and disposable cups should be the norm. A Super Bowl party is about having fun around a television set. There's no need for a formal dining room setting.

Parking

This sounds very controlling, but it is important to try to work out the parking situation before the game starts. Clearly, little can be done regarding late comers. However, people who need to leave the party early should park on the street or be the last ones in the driveway. Getting parking situated beforehand will mean no one has to miss the game while moving cars around.

Weather

Keep weather in mind for your party. If you live in a warmer climate, try to have outdoor activities. Should the weather turn nasty such as heavy snow or blizzard conditions, you may even consider canceling the party altogether.

Designated Driver

Beer and alcohol seem to be synonymous with Super Bowl parties. One beer website proclaims Americans will consumer 50 million cases of beer on Super Bowl Sunday. That averages out to have a case per television viewer. That doesn't count fans packing sports bars or restaurants. Have a designated driver at your gathering to make sure everyone arrives home safely.

Ask Questions

As a host or hostess, ask periodic questions about how people are doing or if they need anything. A good party has elements of preparation to it, but keeping your guests happy is a matter of simply asking if they need anything. How far you are willing to go the extra mile for your party guests is up to you, but the host should at least ask about people's needs.

Emergency Fund

Have some extra money on hand the night of the party in case something was forgotten. No matter how good a plan is, there are always things that go awry. Having extra money in a pinch can make or break someone's party experience.

Relax

Most importantly, you need to relax. A party's host won't be able to please everyone no matter how hard you work. The point is to have a good time. If the party's host isn't happy, it will show. Just go with the flow and be prepared to have fun.