Are You Ready for Some Football?

There are the Oscars, the Grammys...and then, there’s the Super Bowl! One of THE most-watched TV events of the year, it’s a great excuse for even non-football lovers to get together to eat, drink and catch the super-expensive TV commercials or halftime show that everyone will be talking about the next day.

The first Super Bowl was played in 1967, as part of a deal between the NFL and its rival AFL. When the leagues merged in 1970, it became the ultimate championship game. Not surprisingly, it also ranks as the second-largest food consumption day in America, right after Thanksgiving! No matter who you’re rooting for (or whether you root at all), the Super Bowl is a terrific way to bring friends together again after the frenzy of the holidays. Here are some great tips for a fun football get together.

• No fancy sit-down food necessary; go for chips, dips, nachos and anything that can be portable. Keep paper towels and cleaner nearby for the exciting moments during the game when food may go flying!

• Plan on lots of beverages. All those beer commercials have an effect on your guests.

• Set up as many televisions as you can around the party area; you may also want one room with no TV for those friends who want a quiet place to hang out and chat.

• Have some spare change and small bills handy for any betting pools.

• Throw a football tossing contest. For outdoors, the guest who throws it the farthest wins; indoors, use a foam football and see who can most often hit the target of a garbage can or a hoop.

• Play Football Charades, where teams of guests try to figure out the football-related word they’re acting out. Some choices might be: cheerleader, helmet, referee, touchdown, coach, etc.

If you’re not up for a party, here are some other ways to enjoy this all-American weekend:

Watch the big game at a nearby sports bar or restaurant. Find them here.

Work off that beer and nacho gut. Find places to exercise here.