Throw a March Madness Mixer

By Stephanie Valera

When March comes around, there's no escaping college basketball mania. So why not go all out with a party that will score points with friends and family?

Check out our party ideas for March Madness munchies, games and all-around fun.



Decoration Tips

The only way to get in the game is to decorate your room accordingly!

Spruce up the living room with great basketball-inspired decor that will help make your bash a total slam dunk.

Decorate with basketball balloons (available at ShinDigz.com) and serve your March Madness munchies and refreshments with a fabulous basketball party set of plates, cups and napkins (available at PlumParty.com).

Basketball Cupcakes

Victory has never tasted so sweet! Treat your guests to championship-worthy basketball cupcakes.No one can resist these orange-frosted basketball cupcakes, and they're so easy to make!

How to make Basketball Cupcakes:

• Bake delicious classic cupcakes. Vanilla or carrot cake will work well. Try our recipe for vanilla cupcakes.

• Ice the cupcakes with orange-colored frosting. We love this creamy citrus-flavored orange cream cheese frosting.

• Draw on the basketball lines with black icing or black decorating gel.

• Create two semi-circles and a line down the middle to make a basketball design.

Tip from EasyCupcakes.com. Show some school pride and get your guests to dress up in their team colors.

Party Games & Activities

CollegeBasketballStore.com has a wide selection of NCAA jerseys for men, women and kids.

Or get crafty and make your own head or wristbands in different colors and distribute to guests.

Award the most "spirited" fan (face paint, full attire, foam finger) with a prize. And remember, as host you get to wear a referee's uniform. Show them who's in charge! Get your guests actively involved in a sports-themed party! Don't just let them sit there.Play along to the Final Four with a game of indoor hoops, or practice your own free throw during commercial breaks.

Target.com has a selection of affordable collegiate hoop sets featuring different teams, so you can choose your favorite. Another great way to spice up any party is with a trivia game!Hand out a trivia game with questions such as "which player will score the most points?" or "who will make the first slam dunk?" to guests before the game starts. 

Ask them to fill out the game. The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize. Maybe he or she will get to take home that Indoor Hoop Set!


For more tips, check out Theme Party Ideas from Celebrations.com.