Seven Super Bowl party alternatives
According to the NFL, last year’s Super Bowl LVI amassed a viewing audience of around 208 million. But for all the millions of households that tune into one of the nation’s most popular televised events, some of us are simply uninterested.
Whether you’re either not into football, bitter because your team didn’t make it to the final two or just plain not wanting to tune into LVII this year, don’t fear. Take a look at these seven big-game alternatives instead and start planning.
SOUPER BOWL
As winter snow and rain continue to pummel most states, the air remains chilly. Rather than warming up with a popular Super Bowl menu item such as chili, for those anti-Super Bowl watchers, hosting a souper bowl is the perfect toasty, tasty substitute.
Visit Love & Lemons (loveandlemons.com) for seasonal soup favorites like Butternut Squash Soup with three pounds of butternut squash, onion, fresh sage, garlic, ginger, rosemary and a vegetable broth base, topped with chopped parsley, toasted pepitas and ground black pepper. Include some fresh sourdough bread bowls and soft focaccia bread. Bust out a few board games like Blank Slate, inviting players to predict and match which word best completes a phrase of a fellow player.
CEREAL BOWL
Some people may be chomping at the bit to barrel through the new year. But others, who in addition to their football rebellion, may also feel less “full steam ahead.” In this case, the cereal bowl is the perfect party gathering.
Invite anyone seeking (or perhaps are in need of) a slowdown to suit up in their coziest pajamas, favorite cereal in hand, and head to your house. As host, provide a variety of cereal toppers — milk, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk — ready for pouring. Pick a new movie or show to stream, and don’t forget extra pillows, blankets and beanbags for optimal lounging.
BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR BOWL
What if — despite your love of football — your team didn’t make it to the end? Who says you can’t celebrate your beloved franchise anyway? Pool together your fellow noncontending LVII season fans for a fiesta of favorites.
Have each disappointed or disgruntled party attendee bring a food dish that best represents their favorite football franchise. For example, a Cheesehead could bring a trio of cheese dips; a Saints fan may want to give guests a go at a spicy gumbo recipe. Much like Festivus, use the party time to air any grievances (toward undeserving winning teams, cheeky referees and despised rivals).
If you’re rooting for one of the teams in contention, the menu is easy: Kansas City barbecue for Chiefs fans, cheesesteak for the Philadelphia Eagles.
DOG BOWL
The kitten bowl may be cute, but when it comes to throwing and fetching, a dog bowl is the better party scenario. Host your own sporting event with favorite friends and Fidos.
Prep the yard or a nearby park for a doggone good time, complete with human and canine obstacle courses, balls and toys. Include three kinds of doggie bags — one with human snacks, another with dog treats and the third for potty pickup. Award prizes for best throw-and-fetch or best obstacle-course timing — maybe a ring for the triumphant human, jersey for the winning dog?
MIXING BOWL
Mixing bowl can be interpreted a couple of different ways. The first option can involve the mixing of spirits. Each guest brings a party-punch mixture of choice.
For a prom-esque feel, encourage your friends and family to dress accordingly — maybe in a prom outfit hailing back to their graduating year or decade.
Option No. 2, for groups that prefer to pass on the party punch, mixing bowl serves as a brunch, lunch or dinner opportunity for bakers. Instead of a day in front of the tube, entreat your invitees to a bake-athon in the kitchen. Any dish that can be crafted in a mixer is a contender.
BASE BOWL
If this NFL season was too heartbreaking, consider moving on to baseball. After all, this is the time of year that pitchers and catchers are reporting for spring training. Ask guests to come over in their favorite baseball jersey or T-shirt. Set out peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and queue up some of baseball’s most memorable moments on YouTube. Spend time making World Series predictions and perhaps a batting session or two in the backyard.
RAGING BOWL
If you’re beyond jaded that your team didn’t make it to the
Super Bowl, it may be best to let out your aggression in a safe space. Plenty of cities (including Chattanooga and Cleveland) now offer “rage rooms” equipped with plenty of opportunities to smash, trash and obliterate a variety of objects — in myriad ways.
No rage room in your vicinity? Alter your course to an axthrowing establishment. And if that isn’t nearby, you and your crew can always consider taping up paper or garbage bags to an outside fence or wall and pummeling it with eggs or paintballs.