Sports Sunday Celebration

Up to 1 Month Ahead

• Make Chili for a Crowd; freeze tightly covered. (Thaw one day in refrigerator.)

• Make Chili for a Crowd if not already made and frozen.

• Prepare fruit and jicama for Jicama-Citrus Salad; store separately in refrigerator. Make dressing; cover and refrigerate.
• Bake brownies.

The Morning Of

• Prepare Caramelized-Onion Focaccia Wedges up to the point of baking; store wrapped in refrigerator.
• Mix salsa and preserves for Cream Cheese Fiesta Spread; store covered in refrigerator.
• Place toppings for chili in serving containers; refrigerate the perishables.
• Make Big-Batch Corn Muffins.

About 20 Minutes Before Serving Main Course

• Warm covered breads in 350°F oven.
• Set up toppings buffet.

About 10 Minutes Before Serving Main Course

• Place chili, breads and salad on table.

• Heat hot fudge topping.

•  Make an invitation to resemble a scoreboard. Decorate it with sports stickers found at party and gift stores. Indicate "The clock is running, so don't be late."

• Pin the name of a football player or coach on the backs of guests as they arrive. Guests then have to guess who they are by asking questions of others.

Decorate with Style

• Create team pennants from colored card stock, and attach to wooden sticks. Place a bunch in a spray-painted foam ball for a centerpiece. Scatter collector sports cards around the centerpiece.

Make a "Soup-er" Table

• Set up a chili bar that can't be topped with a variety of toppers. Include crackers in fun shapes, taco chips, croutons, salsa, shredded cheeses, sour cream, pesto, sliced green onions, red pepper sauce, chopped fresh cilantro, toasted nuts and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Make the chili self-service by placing cooked chili in a slow cooker.
• Short on table linens? Use an assortment of bright-colored napkins to place condiments on. Roll up flatware in assorted bright-colored napkins, and place in a flowerpot or basket.