The NCAA tournament means that every game day is a celebration, so you know what to do, grab your pom pons because it’s time to throw an epic party! Even if you love the game, or don’t even know what it means to dribble the ball, here are some easy and cost effective ways to get in the game and score big!
First, pick the theme for your event, go with a Selection Sunday Dinner Party, Sweet Sixteen Weekend Open House, Elite 8 Day, or a big fat Final Four event. Then, focus on the three main elements that make a GREAT party; food, decorations and fun!
To get you inspired, here are some clever ideas to pull off the ultimate party for the Big Dance.
1- THE FOOD
Hoops dreams start with delicious food. Create specialty appetizers like a basketball cheese ball, high-tops used chip and dip bowls, referee utensil holders, and then make little signs to put next to the foods and give them a name the “7 layer Layup Dip”, “Double Dribble Sliders”, “Jump Shot Mini Dogs”, or a “Scoreboard Cookie Cake”. The easiest way to make the food as creative as the theme is to use your favorite recipes and give them a basketball twist!
2- THE TABLE DECOR
Get your fans excited with thrilling table decor so think about everything that is part of a basketball game. Set the food stations to look like a basketball court, cheering section and even concessions stand, You turn the table top into basketball court by laying down faux wooden flooring on top of your table, draw out the free throw line, 3 pt line with tape, and set up mini basketball hoops at each end so you can put popcorn in the nets. Another food station can be set up like a cheering section with balloons, pom pons, foam fingers, and more. These specialty food stations will have your team cutting down the net with a big win.
3- THE FUN & GAMES
Aside from watching the game at your party, people love to play games! To start the NCAA tournament fans turn to the “Bracketology” to fill out their brackets and try to see how far they can go! At your parties, everyone has probably already filled out their brackets for the Tournament but you can create your own game using the brackets that will be fun for all. So get your collegiate genius on and create a game for those basketball buffs that includes questions about NCAA teams, it’s history and facts. The game is played on an oversized bracket that can be put in the center of the room, guests have to answer trivia questions to get points and move on. You ever know who the “Cinderella” player will be.
There you have it, a game plan for the March Madness party of a lifetime! And for “One Shining Moment” you will be the hostess with the mostest this tournament season. Go Team!
