Are you ready for some football?

(photo from northtexassuperbowl.com)

Even with all of the snow, ice, (and more snow?) in the DFW Metroplex, the Super Bowl is still set for (hopefully sunny) Sunday in Arlington, Texas.  Love football, or hate it, watch it for the ads, or don't watch it all, who doesn't like a good ol' Super Bowl Party? Hey, if nothing else, it's the mark of the end of the football season for the ladies who are looking forward to getting their husbands, sons, brothers and fathers back on Sunday afternoons! 

Since Crafty Steals is located in Cowboy country, we thought we'd get into the spirit and share some tips for planning your own Super Bowl bashes.  Even if we weren't invited to Diddy's bash or the Black-Eyed Peas shindig, we still know how to throw a great party!

Simple Decor Ideas: 

1. Buy a green plastic tablecloth and make "yard lines" with white duct tape (available at some hardware stores or even some Walgreens and WalMart/Targets).
2. Use some cardstock or construction paper in the team colors and letter stickers to make banners (you can lay these banners on the table or hang them. You could even make generic banners using the American Crafts Junior papers and save them for another year (or sports themed birthday party!).
3. Buy plastic cups/silverware/napkins in team colors.
4. Use number stickers (like the Varsity Letterman Thickers) to mark "jersey" numbers on wine glasses instead of charms.
5. Let your computer do the work! I saw these adorable "Game Day" printables at Bird's Party Blog and had to share.  There are some really adorable party ideas and printables on her blog.

Gear:

1. Invite your guests to wear jerseys or Ts from their fave NFL team. 
2. If any of you have a Silhouette or a Cricut, you could whip up a t-shirt or hat for this very occasion using heat tranfer paper or rhinestones.
3. Our friend and fellow CraftySteals customer, Shannon, shared with us a Packers shirt she made for her husband (above).  Cute! Visit her Facebook page to see more examples of the fun shirts she creates (many with her Silhouette!). She made this Packers shirt using freezer paper! If you like what you see, keep your eyes out for the tutorial I'll have for you soon (it can be done with or without a die-cutting machine).

Menu Ideas: (This is of course the most important category - if all else fails, have good food and the party will be a hit).  To pay homage to Dallas, I have to recommend that no football watching party would be complete without the following Tex-Mex staples:

1. Gucamole.  It's so simple to make! fresh smashed avocados, diced red onion, diced jalapenos, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, chopped garlic, fresh lime juice, salt and cumin - all to taste!
2. Queso.  I'm sure most of you know the Velveeta and Ro-Tel (diced tomatoes with green chiles) recipe.  Kick it up with some diced red onion, chopped cilantro, cooked chorizo (mexican sausage) or all three.  I guarantee your guests will ooh and ahhh over it.
3. Salsa or Pico de Gallo.  Jarred salsa with work in a pinch, so will buying the "fresh" at the grocery store, but making your own pico is also VERY easy. Dice tomatoes, onion, jalapenos, garlic and combine with salt.  I like to add canned, drained black beans or chopped avocado to make it an even more hearty dip.
4. Pigs in a blanket. No, we don't claim them to be Texan, and they definitely aren't TexMex, but people love 'em, and since they now make low-fat crescent rolls and turkey li'l smokies, I don't mind making them for my family. This is mostly because I know I will eat half of them.
5. Packers fans, dye your lemonade or beer green.  Steelers fans, you get off lucky. Lemonade and beer are already yellow!

Crafts or other activities: (This is for the kids who aren't interested in sitting still for the game.  Have some crafts for them to do!)

1. Make cheeseheads! If you are rooting for Green Bay of course. Color and cut a cheese wedge out of paper. Use thin strips of paper to make a headband. Attach the "cheese" to the headband.
2. Make pennants with construction paper and color with markers.
3. Coloring pages. Print out black and white logos for the Steelers and Packers and have kids color to their hearts content. 
4. Decorate your own cupcakes. Have icing and decorations in team colors. Just make sure to give the kids their own individual knives - there's always more icing that goes directly into mouths as opposed to on the cupcakes!
5. If all else fails, send the kids outside with a football of their own.  Even though we have snow on the ground today, it's supposed to be sunny and in the 50s by Sunday. Those of you in colder climates might have to make sure the Wii controllers are charged up!

How are you guys getting ready for the big game? Any party plans or decorations in the works? What's on your menu of must haves at a Super Bowl party? We'd love to hear your ideas!

Happy crafting and party planning!