How to Host a Potluck Super Bowl Party

Sports, food, and yes, more food. What could be better than watching the big game in front of the tube with your closest friends and family? One of the major tasks involved in planning a party is preparing lots of delicious food. This task is minimized when your guests help to cater the food. Host a potluck-style Super Bowl party.

Instructions

1. Decide what type of invitations you'd like to use for the event. Since communication is involved when setting up a potluck (what types of food you want, what you'll provide, what others should bring, etc.) you may want to work with online invitations, or simply tell family and friends by word-of-mouth or telephone.

2. Start thinking about your menu. Maybe you want to stick with finger foods that make it easy for guests to grab and go back to watching the game. Maybe you prefer a concession theme, focusing mainly on the treats you can indulge in at a real stadium such as hot dogs, nachoes, fries, chips, popcorn, pork chop sandwiches or polish sausages. Even throwing a pizza party complemented with snacks and desserts is an option.

3. Determine what, as the host, you will provide in terms of food and drink. Usually, the host provides the main food item or "entree," and guests cater to that by bringing foods that go nicely with it. If you're having a pizza party, simply say you'll provide pizza. Maybe it's chili, BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs or cheeseburgers. Whatever you choose will set the theme for the food.

4. Give your guests guidelines when they ask what they can bring. Most will feel unsure if told to bring whatever they want. Make a list of categories that would be fitting (salads, snacks, finger foods, dips, desserts, etc.) and jot down who is bringing what as you fill the categories in. Also, if it's important to you that guests bring something homemade and not store-bought, tactfully let them know.

5. Don't forget beverages. Sodas, juices, alcohol and hot cocoa are all possibilities for a cold-weather party. Let guests know what drinks will be provided, and if it is a BYOB type of gathering. Another idea: for guests who aren't so handy in the kitchen, suggest than they bring alcohol rather than a covered dish.