Take-On Your Big Game Party Like a Pro

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned hostess, we'll show you how to streamline party prep so you've got time to watch the game.

1. Pre-Game Sports parties are super casual, so don't get too fancy on invitations. Print some sports-themed invites from your computer and pass them out, or use a free online service like evite.com to keep track of who's up for cheering with you and who isn't.

2. Home Advantage When it comes to décor, you're in charge, so you can choose to deck the house in your team's colors even if fans from the opposing team are planning to attend. Streamers and balloons make the TV room festive (put a few outside on the mailbox or front door to get people in the mood as they arrive). Ask guests to dress in their team's colors and bring any team cheering paraphernalia—flags, pom-poms, etc.— for props. You can also put out giant foam fingers, noisemakers, and party poppers to celebrate.

If the company is split, have a little fun by dividing the room in half and decorating each with opposing team colors. As guests come in, have them choose a side.

Make sure there is plenty of comfortable seating in the room, and consider bringing in extra TVs for maximum viewing. Above all, make sure your reception is crystal-clear: guests won't care about your cute streamers if they can't see the game.

3. Starting Lineup Before the game begins and the food is out, you'll want to supply guests with drinks. Many people prefer the sudsy kind—i.e., beer— but it's always nice to have variety. Bloody Marys or margaritas are easy to mix by the pitcher, or you could create a signature martini from your team's colors using team-colored liqueurs, juices, and garnishes. Make sure your guests all go home safely by appointing designated drivers for each vehicle. For non-drinkers and kids, serve a variety of sodas and Gatorade.

4. Game Time To keep the fun going no matter who's winning the game on TV, stage some victories in your own living room. Here are a few game ideas:

Game stats: Have guests predict the game's most valuable player, the player with most points scored and other stats at the beginning of the game, then give prizes to the winners.

Best dressed: The guest decked out in the most team paraphernalia wins a prize.

Traditional pool: Put a buck or two in to a pot and give the winner plenty of reasons to cheer.

5. Offense Keep guests happy by passing plenty of finger food. For your all-American sports party, feature traditional snack foods like barbecue pizza, chips and dip, meatballs and quesadillas. See our recipes page for easy ways to jazz up prepared snack foods like Game Day Meatballs and Chicken Quesadilla Wedges with Queso Dip.

Streamline the prep so you don't miss too much of the game by baking desserts the day before, prepping appetizers before the game begins and serving them in the first half. Pop a tray of barbecue in the oven during the first half of the game and make sliders, which can be put together in minutes, to serve during halftime. Set out sweets to score big in the second half; finger foods like brownies, cupcakes and cookies are less messy than more elaborate desserts.

6. Zone defense Your party will inevitably include a mix of people who are really serious and want to catch every moment of the game, as well as those who would rather chat than really watch. Make peace with both parties by having a separate area for the non-serious guests, either in their own section of the room or even in the kitchen.