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Gathering with girlfriends has come a long way from the days of Tupperware parties with gelatin molds and sleepovers in frilly pajamas. The modern woman can have many of the same interests as her guy friends like grilling, lifting weights and watching football... but there are times that she may prefer the dainty details that guys tend to overlook when it comes to planning celebrations and parties.
With the big game just around the corner, guys and gals alike will be throwing game-watching parties to root on their team with friends and family. And while a bag of chips served with jar of salsa poured over a block of cream cheese is perfectly acceptable football food for a party of dudes, {and surprisingly tasty} the presentation might leave something to be desired if you're expecting to wow guests. {Apologies to my brother-in-law who claims this as his signature dish.}
This year, I say let the men do their own thing. Gather up your girlfriends and "take it to the house" -- YOUR house! -- and host your own game day soiree with a "RITZy", effervescent twist!
You don't have to go crazy with expensive decorations or fussy details to set the stage for an impressive football fete. Just a few basic supplies are all you need to decorate for the big game! I found just about everything I needed from food to festive touches at Walmart.
For very little money I was able to transform ordinary party supplies like wrapping paper, paper plates, plastic cups and decorative toothpicks into a spread fit for a gridiron goddess.
I took the playbook theme to the next level and used lots of blackboard and chalk details to tie the look together and stick with a game day motif. Chalkboard stickers made it easy to label cups for each guest and also served as a great way to amp up table signage.
Nothing says "Go Team" like a glittery pom poms, so I used those as table decor along with some simple letter cutouts that I found in the craft section of the store. A piece of scrapbook paper made to look like a football field added a pop of color in the center of the table, along with hints of red and white from the serving dishes.
Black wrapping paper covered my table {which is fantastic for easy cleanup at the end of the night}, and I used a white chalk pen to scribble directly on the surface to showcase some of the tasty bites.
I wanted to keep my menu simple but clever, so I got to work on creating some bite-sized snacks that kept with the game day feel. Classic messy Sloppy Joes popped into my mind immediately... but then so did stained furniture and rugs. Ugh. I solved the problem by serving up the appetizers on RITZ® Crackers, which made them more cute than clunky!
Buttery RITZ® Crackers worked perfectly as a vehicle for sweet and saucy Mini Coca-Cola Sloppy Joes. I assembled some ready-to-go joes for immediate snacking on a platter, but also set out toppings for gals who want to add a little something extra. {Scroll to the bottom of the post for the recipe!}
No party of mine is complete without something sweet! The solution? A DIY Coca-Cola Float Bar that doubled as a beverage and a dessert.
I jazzed up each cup with a personalized chalkboard sticker and added a little extra pizzazz with chocolate sauce/sprinkle rims that are a breeze to make before guests arrive. Add a cute striped straw and a cherry on top and watch the girls sip with pure joy!
Just in case the game goes into overtime, it never hurts to have a little something extra on hand for nibbling. I used the same RITZ® Crackers that were part of my savory snacks and gave them a sweet makeover by filling them with sweetened whipped cream, dipping them in melted chocolate and adding some sprinkles for good measure. A few minutes in the freezer is all it takes for these popable treats to set up. {You can also fill these with your favorite frosting, nut butter or dessert spread! Keep an eye out for more detailed instructions later this week!}
My party turned out like no game-watching party I've ever been to, and though this event was meant for girls only, I have a feeling the guys will be asking for invites the next time around! So ladies, whether you decide to make the dress code "Jerseys and Pearls" or keep it casual with team colors and sweatpants {your best girls won't judge}, throw your own football social and enjoy the big game in style!
For more amazing {and adorable!} football party ideas with Coca-Cola and RITZ® Crackers, head over to SnacksandSips.net!
Mini Coca-Cola Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 pound ground turkey or ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated
- ¾ cup Coca Cola or Coke Zero
- RITZ® Crackers
- Optional: Diced tomatoes shredded lettuce, shredded cheese for topping
Instructions
- Heat about a tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add onion and saute until starting to caramelize, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add ground meat to pan and break up with a spoon to crumble. {I like using a potato masher.} Sprinkle salt over meat and cook until browned and no longer pink.
- Meanwhile, whisk together tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Pour into meat and mix to coat meat. Cook for about 2 more minutes.
- Pour in Coca-Cola, scraping up any brown bits at the bottom of the pan. Bring to a bubble and simmer until the sauce has reduced and thickened a bit.
- Cool slightly, then assemble mini sloppy joes by sandwiching a scoop of meat mixture between two Ritz Crackers. Carefully skewer with a toothpick or create a DIY setup with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce cheese and other toppings.
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