Food
When planning your party, make sure you have plenty of food. Finger foods are best and include: chips, nuts, pretzels, cold cuts, vegetables, popcorn and pretzels. Dips such as ranch, onion or bean dip go well with chips and vegetables, and crackers are good for the cold cuts.

Be sure to place food in the same room as the television so guests don’t have to go too far and miss any plays or commercials.

Beverages
Having variety in beverages is key. Plenty of food is good but having something to wash it down is just as important. Sodas, gatorade and bottled water are key to pleasing guests.

Also be sure to have plenty of ice. Ice helps keep beverages cold before and during consumption and is good to have handy in case a rowdy fan bumps their head or hurts their fist after punching a wall.

These are other items that are good to keep in the vicinity of the television so guests won’t miss to much of the game while reaching for a cold one.

Games
Having things for people to do during down time is key to being a good host.

When guests arrive, you can have them write down a winner and a score on a piece of paper. After the game is over, you can see who was the closest and award them a prize.

Before guests arrive, write down players’ numbers on paper. They can pick from the pile of the team they are cheering for and throughout the game, cheer for the number they pulled.

Have prizes ready for the person who had the MVP or who scored the most points.

Decorations
The best thing to do if guests are fans of both teams is to split the room into two sides.

Decorate with streamers, balloons pennants, noisemakers and foam fingers.
Foam bricks or flags are good to have for guests to release frustration without damaging your belongings.

Utensils
A must-have when serving food and beverage are plates, cups and napkins — especially Super Bowl XLII themed ones.

Forks and knives are good if you are serving fruits or vegetables.

Large snack and punch bowls are handy if you don’t want to miss any of the game having to refill the bowls constantly.

Recipes
Quick prep times and easy serving makes providing good food to guests possible. Most can be prepared before the party starts and either heated and served or served chilled.

Suggested recipes:
̢ۢ7-layer dip

̢ۢ Black bean and corn salsa

̢ۢ Breadsticks

̢ۢ Stuffed pizza burgers

̢ۢ Roasted garlic potato salad

Roasted Garlic Potato Salad
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 40 Minute(s)
Stand Time: 20 Minute(s)

3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 lbs. light-skinned potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/3 cup chopped green onions

1. Preheat oven to 425°. In large bowl, combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, garlic, salt and pepper. Add potatoes and toss to coat. In broiler pan, without the rack or shallow baking pan, arrange potatoes in single layer. Roast, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown. Let cool 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup mayonnaise and onions. Add potatoes and toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Breadsticks
Serves: 20 sticks
Prep Time: 10 Minute(s)

20 breadsticks (pre-cooked and hard not soft-baked or raw dough)
20 strips bacon
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350. Wrap a strip of bacon around the length of each breadstick.
2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper until thoroughly mixed and transfer to a plate. Roll bacon-wrapped breadstick in brown sugar mixture.
3. Place breadsticks on cookie sheet. Bake 10 – 15 minutes until sugar caramelizes and bacon is crisp. Serve warm.

7-Layer Dip
1 (9 oz.) can jalapeno bean dip
3 avocados, minced
Lemon juice
Garlic salt
3 tbsp. sour cream
3 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 pkg. taco seasoning
Several tomatoes, chopped
Layer chopped green onions
1 (4 oz.) can black olives
1 (9 oz.) can jalapeno cheddar cheese dip

Layer as follows in a shallow dish:

1. 1 (9 ounce) can bean dip, 3 avocados, minced.
2. Sprinkle with lemon juice and garlic salt.
3. Mix 3 tablespoons sour cream, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 package taco seasoning mix.
4. Chopped tomatoes.
5. Layer 3 green onions.
6. Sliced black olives.
7. 1 (9 ounce) can cheddar cheese dip. Serve hot or cold.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 Minute(s)

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 can (19 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (11 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup quartered grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp. chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)

1. In medium bowl, blend mayonnaise, limejuice and cumin. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Italian-Style Pasta Salad
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 10 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 20 Minute(s)

1 box (16 oz.) twist or spiral pasta
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup Italian or Balsamic Italian Vinaigrette dressing
5 cups assorted chopped vegetables*

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool.
2. In large bowl, combine mayonnaise, dressing and vegetables.
3. Toss pasta with mayonnaise mixture. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Toss, if desired, with additional mayonnaise before serving.

*Use any combination of the following: red, green or yellow bell peppers, Spanish, red or green onions, carrot, tomato, cucumber, olives, artichoke hearts, broccoli, cauliflower or celery.

Stuffed Pizza Burgers
Serves: 20 sticks
Prep Time: 10 Minute(s)

20 breadsticks (pre-cooked and hard not soft-baked or raw dough)
20 strips bacon
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350. Wrap a strip of bacon around the length of each breadstick.
2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper until thoroughly mixed and transfer to a plate. Roll bacon-wrapped breadstick in brown sugar mixture.
3. Place breadsticks on cookie sheet. Bake 10 – 15 minutes until sugar caramelizes and bacon is crisp. Serve warm.