Super Bowl is February 7th this year and due to the pandemic, we will be watching the game in the comfort of our own homes, with our immediate family as the honored guests. Without the grandiose festivities of past celebrations, it will feel a bit different. What should you keep in mind when it comes to Super Bowl Party Etiquette for 2021? There will be some adjustments as we continue to social distance, which means preparing less food and enduring less banter and less friendly jabs with each opponent’s touchdowns. How can you make the best of missing a long-standing tradition where your friends and family have always crowded around the TV and gently pushed their way through the buffet line to get a plate of your famous barbeque ribs. Keep reading for a few easy-to-implement ideas for your gathering.
Super Bowl Party Etiquette 2021
Have a Family Tailgate
Go to a park and enjoy the outdoors together. Play football, pickleball or any other outdoor sports activity. Ride your bike to the park or take a walk together. The point is to gear up for the game early. Pregame coverage starts at 2:00 pm ET and kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 pm ET. Knowing this information will help you plan your day. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the entire day with your family.
Stay Connected
Full disclosure, I am not a game person and the thought of a virtual game does not appeal to me either. However, there are those who L-O-V-E all kinds of games and you can find plenty of ideas on the internet. From Charades to 20 Questions, there is a game suited for your group. You can play on your phone or iPad and cheer each other on.
Zoom during the game, or during the halftime show, to connect and catch up. Make sure your background is filled with team appropriate colors, streamers, balloon, s and anything else that makes it feel like a party. Wear your favorite team’s NFL gear, from a sweatshirt to colorful socks.
Make the Room Cozy
Just because there will be fewer people attending your celebration this year, don’t skimp on the fun. Set up multiple screens and move furniture around to make space for plenty of celebratory dancing. Set up a DIY bar with beverages that can be self-served and snacks that are readily available so no one misses an important play. Have baskets of prepackaged snacks as appetizers.
Purchase some soft blankets in your favorite team colors to throw on the couch or chairs to warm the chilly room. Light the fireplace or your fire pit if you are sitting outside. Offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages (warm and cold) to go along with your signature Super Bowl cocktail.
Buffet Foods
Some of the most popular Super Bowl buffet-style foods are:
Potato skins
Pigs in a blanket
Buffalo wings
Artichoke dip
Nachos
Guacamole and chips
Chili and cornbread
Pizza
Footlong subs
Barbeque ribs
My favorite dip: Baked Potato Dip with Fries
8 strips bacon fried and cut into small pieces
2 cups Colby jack cheese
1 ½ cup sour cream
½ cup chives
¼ cup store bought salsa or hot sauce
Large bag of waffle cut fries
Mix all of the ingredients together the day before the game. It tastes better when it sits in the fridge for a while. Follow cooking directions for waffle fries. Dip and enjoy.
You may also like The 10 Commandments of Super Bowl Party Etiquette. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.