Planning a Super Bowl Party this year?

Now that we are in our new home, we are planning to have a Super Bowl party. Since we are huge Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans, what an awesome way to invite friends and family over to see the house and to enjoy the game at the same time. Although our home team favorite will not play in the game this year, that won’t stop us from watching the game. 

Besides to have a great Super Bowl party you need three things good food, great beverages and a large television of course. If you’re not careful, that food budget can sneak up on you. Since we recently moved we want to have a party BUT we don’t want to blow our party budget.

Here are five basic tips for hosting a budget friendly Super Bowl party.

1 | Make It A Potluck

I love a good potluck. Note: If you’re the host/hostess, a potluck will take A LOT of stress off of you. Think of it this way, you’re the project manager. It’s your responsibility to ensure that everything runs well. In order to do that – invite others and ask them to bring something. Let them know what you want them to bring and as the hostess provide the basis such as plates, eating utensils, beverages, etc.

When sending out invitations, invite your friend who is known for making those mean Key Lime Pies. Ask your other friend who make savory Swedish meatballs to bring that dish as well. Catch my drift? Let others help you. That way you don’t have to worry about being in the kitchen all day. You’ll have spare time to play with your kids or perhaps take a nap before everyone comes over.

If you’re hosting and you want to prepare a few items yourself (my favorite game day food is is Buffalo Chicken Dip)! It’s delicious and it’s very inexpensive to make! Interested in making it, scroll down for the recipe.

2 | Limit Your Guest List

More Guests = More Food! Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Have a set number of guests you want to invite. Now that we are in the new house we have a lot of space to entertain. However, with Super Bowl Sunday falling on a Sunday. The last thing that I want to do is clean up after a large group of guests. That’s gonna happen captain! If you’re planning a party and you want to scale back on your budget, have a set number of guests in mind.

By having a lower amount of guests, that eliminate the amount of money you will need to spend on food, beverages and paper goods.

Note: If you have friends who can’t cook – let them bring the paper goods or beverages. If you have a friend that does not want to bring anything but will eat you out of a house and a home, you may want to think twice before inviting them. Personally, I can’t stand it when I have a potluck and one friend who comes with ABSOLUTELY nothing leaves with two to-go plates. Not today. Houston, we have a problem!

3 | Avoid Decorations

I live in the South. So let me tell you give you a taste of my Southern dialect! Chile, ain’t nobody coming to see yo’ decorations. Don’t get me wrong its cute and it gives things that special touch. Unless you have those items already in your home, everyone will be more focused on the game as opposed to your decor.

Save your money!

4 | Buy Generic – Store Brand Items

It’s a football party. Who are you trying to impress. Nine times out of 10, you’re planning to pour food out of a bag and place it on display. Are your guests really going to ask if they’re TOSTITOS?! I know I won’t at the end of the day I just want them to be crunchy. If I’m dipping them and putting them up to my mount, I could care less about the chip manufacturer.

Apply this rule when it comes to pretzels, chips, paper goods. When it comes to beverages, you may want to be specific unless you’re making a signature drink.

If a guest complains, tell them to bring the chips next time.

5 | Use Cash Back Apps to Save Additional Money

You knew I had to throw this in there right! These cash back apps know that consumers are going to purchase certain items during this time frame.

Last year (2019), National Retail Federation said American adults between the ages of 34-44 spent an average $81.30 for a total of $14.8 billion as they watch the 2019 Super Bowl. That’s alot of money yall.

If you’re going to spend that much, why not get some of it back?

That’s the beauty of Ibotta and other cash back apps. You’re hosting a Super Bowl party so you know at some point you will be spending money. Take advantage of cash back apps and keep some money in your pocket. Cash back apps definitely give you a additional bang for your buck during this season because they know we’re going to spend money on food.

I honestly feel like Ibotta offers larger payouts on beer and wine purchases. You could possibly get $5 dollars back on 1 single purchase. Take whatever you can get. Small things add up and it will definitely be worth it.

Interested? All you need to do is sign up, scan your receipt and get cash back. When you’re ready to cash out, you can receive cash back through Paypal or Venmo accounts or turn your cashback into a gift card. You will receive your payment instantly!

Click here to sign up for Ibotta to get cash back on your purchases.

That’s it. I hope that you have a bomb party on a budget!

If you’re interested in trying my delicious buffalo chicken dip, check out the recipe below.