Hi, everyone!
It’s FOOTBALL season in my house. How about yours? I have no doubt my husband Doug will be watching the college championship game on Monday, and then all the BIG playoff games next week. I definitely don’t mind watching a football game now and then—especially now that they’re so exciting. But I LOVE the entertaining part of the game and imagine that lots of you too.
When I was growing up, I was in the California Junior Miss Pageant, and, as one of the requirements, created a football-game-themed party. I’m SO sorry I don’t have a photo to show you…I looked high and low for those pictures and I can’t find them!! Anyway, QVC is getting you ready for all of the big games to come tomorrow with an amazing La-Z-Boy Today’s Special Value®. So I thought it was the perfect time to show you some of what I did…all of those years ago!
A Texas sheet cake is an edible canvas—there’s a ton of room for you to paint an entire picture, so that’s what I did with my cake…in colorful vanilla icing. I posted the recipe right on my recipe page so you can find it. I spray painted and glued popsicle sticks and made the uprights. And I bought the little plastic footballs on top at my craft store…they were right in the baking/cake decorating aisle.
Now, let's talk about some of the props in the photos above...I really like to write something on my chalkboard, whether it’s the “theme” of my party, the names of the recipes I’m serving, or a simple message like, “welcome friends.” A few years back I picked up the cute little football-shaped serving vessels you see holding the napkins and straws, and I made Doug give up his football cup for the afternoon. All of these decorations I had around the house and that’s often how I decorate for every party I have. Cooking and hosting is effort enough—I don’t want to run all over the place finding props.
That dip you can find on my recipe page as well…it’s my Touchdown Chili Dip that has just five ingredients: chili, cream cheese, tomatoes, jalapeño, and cheese. I suggested baking this in the oven, but you can also make this in your slow cooker…that way, it stays hot for the duration of your party. My family likes to dip tortilla chips, but you can also have sliced baguette, fresh cauliflower and broccoli, or even soft pretzels available for guests.
My Tropical Touchdown Punch, also on “Jill’s Recipes,” is made with fruit juice, cream of coconut and club soda. If you’re hosting adults, you can also add rum. If kids are invited, make a non-alcoholic version and give grownups the option to add rum, if they wish.
Depending on the amount of guests you have—and the time they’re coming, that might be plenty. If you think you need more food, don’t feel guilty about taking a few shortcuts and buying some pre-made foods…wings, a sandwich platter, maybe an antipasti spread. I often do that and am SO happy I did...my guests are always on time!
I hope you’ll fit this game-day party into your near future…have a terrific weekend, everyone.
From my home to yours,
—Jill