Touchdown-Worthy Entertaining Ideas for Your Game Day Bash
Whether you're hosting a Super Bowl bash or a March Madness party, our game-day crafts and ideas will help you support your squad in style.
Cheerleader Pom-Poms
Construct these crowd-pleasers by cutting strips from layers of tissue paper and then wrapping them around dowels. Design them in team colors or any festive combination. Add extra layers for super-large pom-poms, or tape skinny strips to both ends of a longer dowel for a spirited baton. Hurrah!
Materials
Dowels
Tissue Paper
Vinyl Tape
1. Begin by placing four sheets of tissue paper on top of each other.
2. Fold them in half, and cut 1-inch-wide strips through all layers, stopping just short of fold so that strips will hold together (left top).
3. Next, starting at one corner, roll folded edge tightly around one end of a short 1/4-inch-diameter dowel.
4. Use vinyl tape to secure the bottom of the pom-pom to the dowel. Repeat entire process, beginning with the four sheets of tissue paper, at least two more times, to make the ball fluffy.
Party Calculator
Follow this guide to determine how much to buy. The primary rule: Buy plenty. You can use it later or return unopened bottles (check store policy before making your purchase).
Item and Quantity
Wine: One bottle per two people per hour
Beer: Two per person per hour
Spirits: One bottle per five people per hour
Mixers: Three bottles for each bottle of alcohol
Ice: At least one pound per person per hour
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Oxford Napkins
Make bold cloth napkins out of old men's oxford shirts. If you can use shirts in your team's hues, all the better.
Materials
Old oxford shirts
Scissors
Ruler
Needle and thread
1. Wash the oxford shirts well. Cut the clean fabric into uniformly sized pieces, about 12 inches square.
2. Either leave the edges frayed, or sew a hem for a cleaner look.
Related: 10 Clever Ways to Save Space in Your Kitchen
Cupcake Flags
Show your team pride by topping cupcakes with medallions or flags in your squad's colors.
Materials
Clip art
Scissors
Party toothpicks
Candy-colored beads
1. Download our clip art, print on a color printer, and cut out.
2. Cut out one of the strips and fold it in half vertically. Apply craft glue to the top third of a party toothpick, slip it into the fold so it sticks out slightly at the top, and hold it in place until dry. Affix banner halves together with a glue stick.
3. Cut out two circles. Place one facedown; use a glue stick to affix a toothpick along the circle's diameter so the toothpick's tip juts just beyond the circle's edge. Attach a short length of folded ribbon at the bottom. Affix other circle face up. Apply a dot of craft glue to the top of your flagpole; slip a small bead over the end.
Coffee Table Nut Bowl
Make it easy for guests to snack without leaving the couch. Fill a large, shallow bowl with nuts, then place a smaller bowl in the center to collect discarded shells. The same setup also works well for serving olives that have pits.
Vegetable-Patch Appetizer Arrangement
Create an hors d'oeuvre centerpiece that recalls a vegetable patch. Buy a large, deep galvanized-metal planter from a garden-supply center, line the bottom with sprouts, and pour in enough water to moisten them. Arrange vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, carrots, radishes, asparagus, and cauliflower, in sections inside the container, varying the colors. Serve immediately with herb dip, or cover with moist paper towels and refrigerate up to 2 hours.
Cup-and-Saucer Serving Dishes
A saucer atop an overturned cup makes a unique serving arrangement for cheese or other hors d'oeuvres.
Materials
Cup
Saucer
Soft wax or adhesive putty
1. Wash both pieces in warm water using a liquid dish detergent. Dry.
2. Roll eight to ten 3/16-inch balls of soft wax or adhesive putty. Place around the base of upturned cup. Center saucer; press firmly into the wax.
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A DIY taco bar is perfect for game day. This recipe is one of our favorites.
