Super Bowl 2013: Party Planning for the Non-Football Inclined

Bets are being placed at offices across America, giant flat screen TVs are on sale and the liquor stores are packed. That’s right — it’s Super Bowl time, occurring this year on Sunday, February 3. And if you’re excited to watch the game (or even if you’re not), you may want to use this opportunity to gather your friends for a Super Bowl party.

Though it’s a no-brainer to invite fans that are already hyped about the game, remember to also make guests feel welcome who may not be football fans. Sound impossible? Try these tips.

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Time Out
When you set out to decorate your party space with balloons, banners and team colors, be sure to leave a “football-free zone” that guests can escape to when they’ve had their fill of player stats and scores. Furnish this space with a table and chairs, cushions and snacks for your non-sporting guests to mingle.

The Way to a Guest’s Heart…
All of your attendees will enjoy a creative take on food and tasty appetizers. Besides traditional football fare like chips and dip, wings or burgers, offer unexpected options like sushi or a fancy fruit and cheese plate.

Give everyone something in common to chat about by choosing a fun theme for your food. For example, you could coordinate eats with team colors. For a red team, mix up pomegranate martinis and red velvet cupcakes, or for gold, trick out your treats with a gold leaf dusting and champagne as an option to drink (besides beer!). The more creative, the better.

A Game Within a Game
For guests who prefer not to camp out in front of the TV, provide a few other game options. Set up a cornhole board in the next room, start a game of darts or offer incentives to encourage people to follow the Super Bowl as it happens. For instance, have everyone choose three random players at the beginning of the game. If any of these players score a touchdown, hand out a small prize to the guests who chose them!

Delegate an “event photographer”
Any shutterbugs in attendance might enjoy capturing photos or video of the fans as they react to the game. They can also be in charge of keeping your social network involved by posting updates online. But make sure they get permission from other guests first—before the alcohol starts flowing! Plus, everyone will have memories of your Super Bowl party to enjoy after the festivities end.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/sdstockphoto