A fun, flavorful and interactive way to be armchair quarterbacks

This casual party is a great way to get friends and family together to watch the big game. The fabulous food, unique football-related decorations and party games will make the event truly memorable.

Black Bean Dip

Goalpost Get-Together Menu Black Bean Dip Southwest Snack Cut-up veggies and dip* Assorted cold beverages Hot Chicken Subs Slow Cooker Potato and Double-Corn Chowder Cinnamon Football Cookies Milk Chocolate-Malt Brownies * Recipe is not included

•  If some party guests won't know each other, make football-shaped name tags for everyone. You can add the name of the team they are rooting for or their favorite team.
• Purchase paper tablecloth, napkins and plates in your team's colors. Arrange food on table or counter so guests can help themselves anytime during the game.
• Football helmets make fun snack servers.
• Fill bowls that will fit well inside helmets with chips or Southwest Snack; place in helmet, turned open side up.
• Instead of serving the Cinnamon Football Cookies during the game, save them for guests to take home as flavorful party favors. Wrap a few cookies in a small plastic bag for each guest, and tie bags with ribbon in the colors of your party theme.
• Make football jersey place mats for trays or tables by the TV. Cut out players' last names and numbers from construction paper (or use stencils and quick-drying paint, available at craft or art stores), and glue them to sheets of the common size 13"x11" construction paper to resemble the back of a player's jersey.
• Have guests secretly write their name and predictions for the game-winning team and final score on a small piece of paper. At the end of the party, award a prize, such as sports sweatbands or a six- or twelve-pack of soda pop or beer, to the guest with the correct or closest-to-correct answers.
• Make a goalpost, using cardboard tubes from wrapping paper and clear mailing tape. To stand the goalpost, poke the bottom of each post into foam blocks (available at craft or art stores). Wrap posts in team colors, using wrapping paper or crepe paper. Arrange plastic garbage can or other plastic container behind goalpost. During the big game, have guests sign and date a foam football with a permanent marker. Let guests try to throw the football over the goalpost and into the container from a designated distance. Keep score!
• At the end of the party, award the autographed football to the guest who made the most goals.
            

Preparation Guide

• Prepare Southwest Snack, Milk Chocolate-Malt Brownies and Cinnamon Football Cookies. Wrap up cookies as party favors if desired.

• Prepare Slow Cooker Potato and Double-Corn Chowder.

• Prepare Black Bean Dip; refrigerate.
• Cut bread, wash lettuce and slice tomatoes for Hot Chicken Subs.
  

• Heat Black Bean Dip if desired.
• Set out Southwest Snack, veggies, dip and beverages.

30 Minutes Before Serving Soup and Sandwiches

• Prepare Hot Chicken Subs.

• Set out Cinnamon Football Cookies and Milk Chocolate-Malt Brownies.