Hey, Folks!

Since the Panthers are in the big game, I'm hosting a Party for the game and I was hoping to get some tips on party planning.

Some stuff is universal to all parties, as I'm planning on having a spread of snack food and beverages, and instead of music, we'll have a TV with the Super Bowl.

Where I'm really looking for advice is simply in trying to do something for the guys where football (and sports) is not their #1 interest. I want them to have a good time, and I want to include them if I can.

I've been thinking of maybe having a dry erase board for people to vote on the hottest athlete in the game, and I'm toying with the idea of a chill-out space where there wouldn't be football-- but I really don't want to split my party in two.

Any suggestions? The Super Bowl can be really long, particularly when it isn't a close score!

Thanks, guys!

My partner and I have hosted big SB parties for the past several years, sometimes with over 20 people. Alas, this year we'll be on vacation in Puerto Vallarta on the big day.

If it's a drinking crowd, my advice is to not worry about the guys who aren't into football. Gay guys being gay guys, once loosened up with a bit of beer or booze, everyone will be all Chatty Cathy and the non-football fans will keep themselves entertained, and they'll have a good time. Some of them will invariably gather in the kitchen or another room. You can have a deck of cards or some other game (or simply a box of Trivial Pursuit cards) handy just in case. Being in Raleigh, I assume most of the guests will arrive by car. For those who aren't driving, have some schnapps and tequila and other stuff for shooters. That'll keep 'em happy.

If it's more of a non-drinking crowd -- well, sorry, I don't have any experience in that area. wink

After much party-hosting experience, I do recommend not having too much food! Super Bowl parties are hard to gauge the amount of food needed, given the time of day and the general atmosphere that makes some people want to load up on junk food. If you're providing the food, you should insist that the guests don't bring anything, but some of them still will. If they are bringing food, then you should provide very little, maybe just some mixed nuts and candy. You can always have some back-up food in the refrigerator; something that you can freeze for future use if you don't have to get it out. In our experience, if you have too much food the guests sometimes feel obligated to eat even when they don't want to, and you still end up throwing out a lot.

I'm providing the food, and the alcohol is BYOB. My general philosophy on party food is it's better to have to much than too little.

I'm really proud of my friends for being responsible about drinking at parties I've hosted. No one has ever gotten really wasted and/or regretted themselves in the morning.

I guess I neglected to mention the scale of the party. I'm expecting about 20 people, and it could be 30 if a bunch of people bring dates, but it certainly won't be larger than that.