The teams have been determined for the biggest NFL game of the season. It will be a Broncos vs. Panthers game for Super Bowl 50 this year. Or, for those planning parties who consider the Super Bowl a national holiday, it will be Teal vs. Orange when it comes to planning the invitations, decorations and food.

While the game is set for Sunday, Feb. 7, it is never too early to start prepping for the festivities. Now is the time to get everyone psyched up for a great Sunday afternoon of football, food, commercials and team rivalries.

Here are a few ways to help make game day prep that much easier. For even more ideas, be sure and check out our Crazy Holiday Fun board on Pinterest.

Decorations

No matter which team you are rooting for, there are dozens of decorating ideas just waiting to be crafted and pinned to your front door, adorn the food table or even party invitations. 

Printables, reflecting the pennants and logos of your favorite team, can easily be downloaded and either placed in picture frames, blown up to cover your entire front door, dress up your water bottles or even become whimsical cupcake toppers. Even if you have fans for both teams joining your party, have some fun decorating for both teams. 

Other generic football decor ideas include creating a bright green football field walkway carpet to welcome guests. Create that cheerleader vibe with a fun tassel garland that can adorn the food table. And don’t forget the footballs to decorate the walls, the paper goods and even mini footballs to toss around during the game.

Food

Take all those favorite game day or tailgating foods and transform them into bite-sized nibbles.

Buffalo chicken wings get a less-messy redo when you pack all the ingredients into won ton cups. Serve up individual shooters of the ever-popular 7-layer dip. Shape that pepperoni pizza dip into the shape of a football and surround it with a green field of celery and broccoli, perfect for dipping. Create your own mini pizza pockets in the shape of little footballs that can easily be dipped in zesty marinara sauce. 

And don’t forget the treats, too. Create Rice Krispie Treats in the colors and shapes of football jerseys. Cupcakes frosted in team colors are an easy treat, as well as cake pops dipped in those same bright colors. 

Party games

For your guests who are less interested in the actual game, but still want to enjoy the thrill of the event, break out some fun football-themed games and activities. 

Create a Super Bowl Commercial Bingo game, making sure to include the Doritos, Clydesdale horses and the latest Pepsi or Coke commercials. You could also have everyone rate the commercials and declare your own winners at the end of the game. 

Challenge your football expert friends with a fun trivia game featuring questions covering the past 50 years of the Super Bowl. 

Don’t forget to set up a fun photo booth with all the fun photo props! With so many fun printables, this is a game day no-brainer. 

– Jennifer Durrant, Daily Herald