Whether you like football or not, if your man does then the Superbowl is the biggest game event of the year. Regardless of who is playing, the pomp and circumstance of championship football is a reason to make a deep winter Sunday special. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart – always remember doing something to make your man happy is always better than doing nothing and giving him gripe about how “the game doesn’t start for 3 hours!”.
Here’s the girl game: When women think about doing something, either for their man for for themselves, they tend to think of all the things that could possibly get in the way (I’m not a great cook, I’m not that creative, I don’t know if he will like it). All you have to do is do SOMETHING that SHOWS your man you are THINKING about him and want him to have a GREAT day. Men appreciate the little things. It dosn’t have to be complex, it just has to come from the heart with a smile.
The next big game day is Sunday, Feb 11, 2024 so you need to start planning your grocery list now!
Here are some simple game day appetizer ideas for just the two of you or for a crowd:
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Buy cooked frozen medium or large shrimp and a pack (or two) of bacon (applewood smoked, hickory or maple is best). Cut bacon strips into thirds. Using a large skewer or toothpicks wrap each defrosted cooked shrimp with bacon. You can add pineapple to the skewers too. Broil or bake at 450 until bacon is cooked. Served with teriyaki or sweet and sour sauce.
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Cocktail wieners and crescent rolls. Separate the dough and cut each triangle into thirds and wrap the wieners. Bake at 350 for 15-20 until golden brown. Serve with dijon mustard or honey mustard.
- Spinach Dip
- Knoor has the cheat code for spinach dip. Make it the day before so the flavors blend. I like to serve it in a pumpernickel bread bowl with cut up Hawaiian rolls and rye bread but you can also serve it with fresh cut vegetables (carrots, peppers, celery, cucumbers, etc).
- Knoor has the cheat code for spinach dip. Make it the day before so the flavors blend. I like to serve it in a pumpernickel bread bowl with cut up Hawaiian rolls and rye bread but you can also serve it with fresh cut vegetables (carrots, peppers, celery, cucumbers, etc).
Here are some easy game day entree ideas that can cook while you watch the game:
- French Onion Pot Roast
- Bottom round or eye roast, carrots, celery, garlic, onions, red potatoes… keeps them coming back for more. Here’s my favorite recipe.
- Crockpot Pulled Pork
- The exact recipe is up to you – there are many ways to make this with many different cuts of meat.
I take at least 2 racks of short ribs, remove the membrane/score and season them and put them in the crock pot raw – racks whole. Then I top with some bbq sauce and let it cook until you can pull the bones out of the rack of ribs, pull it apart and serve. Don’t forget the rolls! You can also do just ribs.
- The exact recipe is up to you – there are many ways to make this with many different cuts of meat.
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Cut up the chicken wings into drumsticks and wings (trash wing tip). Spray with olive oil spray. Air fry 20 mins or until done, shake/mix them up twice a third of the way through the time. Toss in your favorite sauce or serve naked with multiple sauces to select from.
Game Day Extras
Regardless of who is playing, I like to pick up some themed cupcakes or desert. If I can’t find it, I’ll make sure to have game day colors on hand (streamers, balloons, food coloring, napkins) and integrate that into the festivities. Sugar cookies with team color icing, colored toothpick flags in the appetizers, you get the idea. Put THOUGHT into it and he will see and appreciate the effort.
Other ways to make the day fun:
- Perhaps a friendly (wink) wager on the game between lovers (bonus points for over/under jokes).
- Play Superbowl Squares with special prizes for each win stage.
- Plan your own “half time show” or “superbowl commercial” to entice your man or make him laugh.
You don’t have to have a party or have friends over or go to a bar to make the Superbowl a fun event for your man. Just put some effort into making it a special day he will appreciate.