How to Save on Super Bowl Sunday
If you are like me, you watch the Super Bowl because your husband and boys do, and somewhat for the commercials and the halftime show. If you are like my husband, you watch it because YOU LOVE FOOTBALL. I mean, he would love if the Cowboys ever made it back to the big game, but it doesn’t matter who is playing; you can bet our TV will be turned on.
Do you like watching the game at home by yourself so no one is interrupting a serious play? Or do you love surrounding yourself with family and friends? No matter which option you choose, you are probably going to want to celebrate with a spread that feels a little more special than every other standard game day this season.
If you are hosting a Super Bowl party at your house, it can easily cost a pretty penny. If you’ve resolved to make better financial choices this year, February is way too early to start cheating on your budget! I have put together a few simple hosting hacks so you can pull off a memorable game-day gathering without breaking the bank.
Don’t Fumble the Décor
You want to set a festive mood for your party, but that doesn’t mean you need to drop a ton of cash on single-use decorations. Keep it simple with free printables of the competing teams’ logos from sites like Pinterest, and choose basic plates and napkins in matching team colors instead of springing for officially branded NFL merchandise.
Use whatever sports gear you already have at home—like jerseys, helmets, and actual footballs—to give your living room an authentic stadium feel. If you’re still stuck for ideas, hit the dollar stores to score some fun football-themed party goods for just a few bucks.
Tackle the Food Together
Just because you’re the one offering up your living room for the game doesn’t mean you need to handle the entire grocery bill yourself. Don’t be afraid to make it a potluck! Have everyone bring one signature dish, or order takeout and split the bill digitally with all your guests. You can even set up a shared digital sign-up sheet with categories (appetizers, drinks, desserts) so everyone knows what to bring and you don’t end up with five bags of chips and no dip.
For the past several years, we have gone to some friends’ house to watch the Super Bowl, and we always do a potluck-style feast. It is usually easy finger foods that we can snack on for hours. Crockpots are your absolute best friend when you want food to stay warm for all four quarters!
Skip the Pre-Made “Game Day” Platters
In general, the more niche a product marketing is, the more it’s going to cost—and Super Bowl food is no exception. Fast-food chains and grocery stores will aggressively advertise their pre-made “game day platters” ahead of time, but these are rarely worth the premium price tag. Instead, make your own in just a few minutes for a fraction of the cost. You can slap together some extra-long hero sub sandwiches, slice them up into mini portions, and arrange them on a platter yourself. For your health-conscious guests, chop up some fresh veggies and add a dip or two for a fresh veggie tray at half the cost of the grocery store’s plastic version.
I have ventured out and made a couple of DIY charcuterie boards lately. While they’re not quite as flawless as a professional catering spread, they look pretty good and they sure didn’t cost as much. And guess what… no one cared what they looked like, they ate every single bit of it!
Choose the Strategic “Party Cut”
If you’re planning a pizza party, you can still save big on costs by being a little strategic. First, consider going partially homemade by picking up some high-quality frozen pizzas at a great price from stores like Sam’s Club. Besides the savings, you can customize them with your family’s favorite toppings—I love throwing on a rich six-cheese blend, thin spinach and feta, or even a gluten-free crust option for guests with dietary preferences. Plus, popping them fresh into your own oven makes your whole house smell amazing.
If you prefer ordering it hot-from-the-box, maximize the digital rewards and coupons available on the major pizza chain apps. To get even more bang for your buck, use this clever catering hack: Ask the pizza place for a “party cut” (cutting the pizza into smaller squares rather than traditional large triangles). The smaller portions help guests choose exactly how much they actually want to eat, preventing half-eaten slices from going to waste on abandoned paper plates.
Consider Your Buffet Lineup
This is not the day to set up your food table with strict aesthetic symmetry in mind. Instead, think like a financial coach and place your most affordable, filling items (like sliders, pigs-in-a-blanket, chips, and dips) at the very head of the buffet line. Guests naturally load up their plates heaviest on the first few items they encounter. Putting the budget-friendly finger foods front and center—and saving the pricier items for the end of the line—ensures you won’t run out of food too quickly or blow your budget.
Plan for the Non-Football Fans
Let’s face it: not everyone at a Super Bowl party is actually crazy about football. Some are just there as their sports-inclined partner’s plus-one, and some just show up to enjoy your company and the commercials!
Prepare a few easy, low-key activities to keep the party fun for those who aren’t glued to the screen. You can find tons of free, printable Super Bowl Commercial Bingo cards on Pinterest, or set up a classic board game in a quieter corner of the house so everyone feels included.
Super Bowl parties don’t have to defeat your monthly savings goals. Use these simple tips to keep your expenses down while throwing a game-day gathering that’s truly fit for champions!
