Welcome to Burdet-tiquette, where Lisa Burdette, founder of The Dallas School of Etiquette and a mother of six with global expertise, answers your questions on the art of courtesy.
The New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. In a roughly 60-year-old tradition, Americans will gather around their living rooms and watch the biggest sporting event of the year. 213 million viewers, more than half of the country, are projected to tune in, and consumer spending in preparation is expected to reach a record $20 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.
Food and friends are at the center of this yearly affair, and The Dallas Express asked our resident etiquette expert to explain how Americans can make the experience memorable.
Here is Lisa’s response:
Let’s Celebrate the Patriots and Seahawks! How to Host the Perfect Super Bowl Party or Family Gathering
I have always enjoyed Super Bowl parties and all the planning that goes into making the evening special for family and friends. The age of technology has reduced quality time with others, but thankfully, the Super Bowl offers a chance for people to gather. When planning a fabulous Super Bowl party, remember to make the focus of the evening on the fellowship, not the food or drinks.
Golden Rules for Planning the Perfect Super Bowl Party
- First and foremost, establish your guest list.
- Next, work on your menu. I like to entertain with a fixed menu and plenty of food and drinks. A Super Bowl party must be fun and light, and your home needs to shout, “party time”.
- Do not be too casual in making your plans. Be sure to decorate a couple of days before the party. Make sure that your home is decorated for the Patriots and Seahawks.
- Set up your party room with flow and structure. Make sure to include flowers and have your Wi-Fi login posted (perhaps on a printed card).
- Set a time for everything. Let the guests know when the party will start and end.
- Request RSVPs and thank all guests who RSVP.
- Prepare to play music from both teams as your guests arrive.
- Have a variety of drinks on hand for your guests as they arrive. Be prepared to set the pace for all consumption of alcohol and have someone who can help monitor this while you are busy serving. All you can drink is never good manners.
- It is always fun to have hats, balloons, and perhaps, noisemakers to blow when your favorite team scores.
- Remember, if you are going to host, you must serve.
- Plan and organize games and prepare prizes for the winners.
- Have each person pick a team to win. Those who pick the winning team will receive a favorite chocolate bar!
- Have pads and pens ready for guests. Between the 3rd and 4th quarters, have guests write down the last 10 teams to win the Super Bowl. The team that gets the closest wins the prize.
Recommendations for Food Preparations
When inviting your guests, ask if anyone has any special dietary requests. Even if you have someone who makes up a special request, do not tease them about a “supposed food intolerance.” It is bad manners.
Have a fixed menu for your party. Prepare the meal ahead and organize snacks. Buffet-style food is great, but it has drawbacks as well. When fixed amounts of food are on individual trays, it gives the guests less to think about. Plus, you will not have to run around in the kitchen in a frenzy of noisy preparation.
Have fixed trays of food so that your guests may be seated and enjoy the game. Make certain you have decorated cookies for both teams (and perhaps a decorated cake) for those who choose sweets.
Lisa’s Menu for The Perfect Super Bowl Party!
- Sloppy Joes – Made with Wagyu Beef and fresh tomato sauce. To prepare, brown the Wagyu Beef, then simmer Roma tomatoes and chopped onions together with garlic for 15 minutes.
- Stuffed Red Peppers – Red peppers filled with ground beef, rice and onion. Brown the ground beef and onion, then mix them together and stuff the peppers with this mixture.
- Truffle Fries – Frozen French fries sprinkled with truffle seasoning and then baked.
- Fresh Fruit Salad for Dessert – Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries mixed with whipped cream. Place ingredients in a food processor and then pour into individual graham-cracker-crust pie shells.
- Fresca, soda, water, coffee, and hot cocoa.
Above all, mingle with all your guests, fellowship together and enjoy the festivities. After all, this is a reason to come together with family and friends. Live, love, and enjoy life. Walk all guests to the door and stand at the door until they drive out of sight.
About Lisa
Lisa Burdette
Lisa Burdette is the founder of The Dallas School of Etiquette, where she trains everyone from executives to cadets in the timeless art of courtesy. A mother of six and a graduate of Auburn University, she has studied etiquette in London, Paris, Washington, and beyond. She believes true etiquette isn’t about being fancy — it’s about how you make people feel.
Readers can send their etiquette questions to [email protected]
