With March Madness right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning March Madness watch parties. Even though the first two rounds are the most action-packed, the opening rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament go on for two more weeks, which means there are multiple chances to host a gathering.
Hopes and dreams of college basketball players are realized and dashed at March Madness, often with the outcomes of games coming down to one shot. It’s not unusual for sports fanatics to take off for “sick days” during the first Thursday and Friday, and to research sports sites and obsess over filling out brackets. Seeing how your brackets stack up against everybody else’s is almost as much fun as watching the actual games — unless your Final Four picks are knocked out by the end of the first weekend.
The best way to host a party for March Madness is to go all out. Here are party-planning tips to give your watch party the distinct flavor of the tournament:
Serve basketball arena favorites: hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, pizza, peanuts, and popcorn are sure to make your friends and family feel like they just visited the concession stand. For dessert, serve funnel cake or basketball-themed cookies.
Prepare a menu based on the food that’s famous in the Final Four host city. This year, it’s Houston, so prepare some Tex-Mex or barbeque.
St. Patrick’s Day will be the first full day of March Madness 2011, so adding some shamrocks and leprechauns to the festivities would be more than appropriate.
Make sure to have plenty of blank brackets for your guests to fill out, along with a TV screen big enough for everybody to enjoy the action. And it might be a good idea to do some research before you fill out your own bracket. That way, you might be able to flaunt your success and even help your guests.
Throw a March Madness Watch Party!
By Chuck Cox
With March Madness right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning March Madness watch parties. Even though the first two rounds are the most action-packed, the opening rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament go on for two more weeks, which means there are multiple chances to host a gathering.
Hopes and dreams of college basketball players are realized and dashed at March Madness, often with the outcomes of games coming down to one shot. It’s not unusual for sports fanatics to take off for “sick days” during the first Thursday and Friday, and to research sports sites and obsess over filling out brackets. Seeing how your brackets stack up against everybody else’s is almost as much fun as watching the actual games — unless your Final Four picks are knocked out by the end of the first weekend.
Party essentials
The best way to host a party for March Madness is to go all out. Here are party-planning tips to give your watch party the distinct flavor of the tournament:
St. Patrick’s Day will be the first full day of March Madness 2011, so adding some shamrocks and leprechauns to the festivities would be more than appropriate.
Make sure to have plenty of blank brackets for your guests to fill out, along with a TV screen big enough for everybody to enjoy the action. And it might be a good idea to do some research before you fill out your own bracket. That way, you might be able to flaunt your success and even help your guests.