Within a week, over 100 million Americans will be tuned in to ESPN and other sports networks to watch the Patriots take on the Rams. Those Americans will be pumped regardless of whether they’re fans of either of those teams, ready to hoot and holler at the TV as if the players on the field are actually taking their unsolicited advice. What will the remainder of Americans who generally dislike the sport be doing? Sitting in a room with the latter type of people, probably rolling their eyes and dying from boredom.
While the last statement may be an exaggeration, if you’re not a football fan, you know that Super Bowl parties are tolerable at best and dreadful at worst. Though you enjoy a good gathering as much as the next person, the mixture of rowdy fans, fatty foods, and lack of non-football related conversation makes for a rather dreary get-together. You may be able to find a bit of solace in the fact that you’re not alone in your disdain for the sport. If you’re lucky, and if you’re the one hosting the game day bash this year, you may be able to turn the tables around and put together a party you and those other secret football loathers can actually enjoy. Read on to learn how.
Set Up a Game Table
Despite your feelings of loneliness on game day, know that you are not the only person in your group who could care less about watching a group of grown men tossing around a pigskin. Show your opinion ever so subtly by setting up a card table off to the side of the room. Stack it with board games such as Monopoly and Clue, Jenga, and a deck of cards. Even those who are mildly interested in the sport will be enticed to play a hand of Euchre or to participate in a round of Jenga during a particularly unexciting part of the game.
Plan the Menu Around Your Likes
You’re the one hosting the party, so why serve a bunch of fried foods you don’t actually enjoy? There are dozens of healthy yet flavorful options both men and women, football fans and non-football fans alike enjoy such as guacamole, spinach dip, hummus, turkey chili, and deviled eggs. One particularly tasty recipe is Ultimate Nutrition’s Deviled Football Eggs. Not only are these eggs more nutritious than traditional ones, but also, they’re fun to look at and easy to make. The fat-free Greek yogurt used to replace the mayo adds a rich flavor mayo could never achieve. The red wine vinegar is a nice addition not commonly used in most recipes and pulls out the flavors of the other ingredients, which include mustard, green onions, sugar, and salt and pepper.
Pick a Theme
Yes, game day is all about the two teams participating, but unless you’re a Patriots or Rams fan, chances are you don’t have a bunch of team paraphilia lying around your house. While you could go out and buy plates, napkins, banners, and tablecloths in the teams’ colors, your money would be better spent on party décor that makes you happy. For New England fans, set up a station reminiscent of Cape Cod. For LA followers, think fashion-forward and mod decorations. Take your theme to the next level and place foods such as clam chowder, lobster rolls, and shrimp on New England’s side and tacos, guacamole, and tortilla chips on LA’s.
Get Involved at Prime Time
The average football game lasts for three hours and 10 minutes, but the amount of time the ball is actually in play averages out at 11 minutes. What occurs during the other three hours? A lot of commentaries and, yes, commercials. Approximately 20 commercials occur during a normal football game, but on Super Bowl Sunday, that number soars to over 100. These commercials aren’t to be dreaded either, as companies put a lot of time and money (over $ 4 million) into creating and airing them. To ensure the money is money well spent, the ads must be witty, funny, touching, or emotionally impactful in some way. Regardless of how you feel about football, tune in for the commercials, as you won’t be disappointed.
Also, don’t forget about halftime. The NFL puts forth a lot of dough to hire the year’s top performers to put on a halftime show that rivals the game’s popularity.
Pamper Yourself
If all else fails, and if your group of friends and family truly consists solely of diehard football fans, excuse yourself from the festivities and do something for yourself. Grab a book and head to your local coffee shop, go to the movies, or, if you’re lucky enough to live in an area untouched by winter, hit the golf course. It’s bound to be empty during game time, meaning you have as much time to practice your golf game as you need.
Super Bowl Sunday doesn’t have to be a drag for you non-football fans. Follow the above advice and you can enjoy the gathering as much as your football-fanatic friends.