Think of not wanting to watch or participate in Super Bowl activities in terms of it being your very own elite, unofficial holiday. Go ahead and indulge in the luxury of doing what makes you happy, minus a gazillion people who will be in their homes glued to the TV. Make your own merriment on game day. Here are 10 gratifying things to do instead of watching the Super Bowl:
1. Check out local Super Bowl sales. A few years ago, some business savvy women in my area of Massachusetts, began a Super Bowl day sale tradition at their clothing boutique. Geared to those who choose to pass on the game day celebration, they offer fabulous discounts on winter clothing and spring arrivals. Oh, boy, the very idea of strappy spring sandals uplifts my soul. Scan your local newspapers, and head out for some marvelous people-less Super Bowl day shopping.
2. Host a 'bedazzle a tee' party. How fun! Gather your friends, craft supplies, some nice wine and of course, yummy cheese. Let your creative juices flow. Design a modestly themed save the earth tee or throw caution to the wind and glitz up a sexy tank top. Any craft store, such as Joann fabric and crafts, has loads of nifty things you can use to personalize and decorate your shirt. Choose from fabric paint, dye, mini bedazzler tools for gems and rhinestones, and beginner airbrush kits to name a few.
3. Plan a mushy movie soiree. I am a sentimental slob when it comes to a love story. Even an awful love story has a way of tugging at my heart. What could be better than a love-story movie marathon with friends on your Super Bowl holiday? Perhaps everyone can bring one favorite movie that day. Have some fun with the concept: Let each person write out five of their most adored movies. Put them in a basket. Draw straws. Long straw gets the honor of picking say, three movies from the basket. Mix up margaritas and oh, yeah, pass the tissue, please.
4. Go bowling in peace. Envision yourself walking into the neighborhood bowling alley bold and unafraid. You see rows and rows of empty lanes. No one is there to snicker at your gutter balls. It is a Super Bowl day bowling dream come true. Bowling is the last thing on everyone's mind on game day. Take advantage of this rare deserted occurrence and bowl the night away. It is great exercise, too.
5. Launch an overdue project. Whether you systematize a closet, bag up all those clothes to donate, or start your first family scrapbook -- begin a project. Catch up on e-mails. At the same time, clean out your e-mail inbox. Pick up a sweet little lamp table bargain at a flea market or yard sale. Paint and stencil it. Make invitations for an upcoming celebration. Do some New Year journaling. Take a long nap. The possibilities are endless.
6. Make dinner for an elderly neighbor. Is there an elderly person or couple in your neighborhood who could use some company? Arrange to bring dinner and spend the evening with them. Check to see if they need you to pick up something in particular. Grab the local newspaper or take along a book you can read to them. Sharing some time with the elderly leaves us with a refreshing perspective on life.
7. Haul out the Valentine's Day cards. The Super Bowl falls just about a week before Valentine's Day. If you have kids who will be giving out Valentine's Day cards, this is the perfect day to get them done. Take it a step further: make it a Super Bowl day tradition to decorate the house for Valentine's Day.
8. Kick off a cooking or baking party. Is there a complicated gourmet dish you would love to learn to make? How about trying your hand at making fancy liqueur chocolates. Invite friends or family over for a cooking party. Are they great cooks already? Then, they will be your teacher. If not, you can make it a learning process for everyone. Pick a dish or a dessert, grab the ingredients and have a blast cooking up a storm.
9. Initiate a 'girls' only' family tradition. Start a tradition on Super Bowl Sunday. Gather your mom, sisters, grandmothers, daughters, and aunts for that matter, for some fun. Head out to dinner and a movie. Have a sledding party. Go to the mall. Visit a museum. Alternatively, ask everyone to make her favorite potluck dish or dessert to share at a meal at your home. After dinner, play some board games. Whip up mulled cider for everyone to enjoy while years of family stories and history unfold.
10. Offer to babysit overnight. OK, so you really have no interest in watching the Super Bowl. However, you know someone with kids who would love to attend a party. Why not extend an offer to babysit overnight so others can partake in this huge celebration. It is a super thoughtful gesture. I am positive it is something that any football fan will deeply appreciate. Go ahead... reach out and make that offer.
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