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We’re a sports loving family and we often get together to watch the big game. Game day festivities at my house includes football, food, fun and family. I always enjoy planning my game day tablescape because it’s a casual, laid back party and I can let my imagination soar. There’s always one rule: No stuffiness allowed (except for the cheese stuffed pizza crust and we’ll get to that later.)
We always wear our favorite jerseys, even if our team isn’t playing. And you’ll find half the family cheering for one team and half cheering for the other. There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.
I can’t predict the outcome of the game, but I can predict that you’ll want to duplicate my party at your house. So, let’s get this party started!
Game Time Tablescape, Menu & Recipes
Game day always brings a crowd to my house so I use my dining room table for the buffet. It’s the perfect place to create a mini football field. I purchased an indoor/outdoor rug that looks like grass for only $19.99 at my local home improvement center. It’s not heavy at all and I tucked a table cover underneath so it won’t scratch the table. I snapped a picture as I was getting the table ready.
I enlisted the help of my sweet husband to trim the edges of the “football field” so there would be no overhang. Then I put him to work on making a goal post with PVC pipe and using duck tape to create the markings on the field. I think it turned out spectacular.
Helpful Hint: The football helmet I’m using as part of the centerpiece was borrowed from the son of a friend. You all know what my motto is: “Never buy party decorations if you can get them for free by shopping your home, your mom’s or your friend’s.”
I made the pom poms by cutting a large square from a paper tablecloth I had tucked away in my linen closet. I then cut the square into strips being careful not to cut through the ends. I rolled it up, secured the non-cut end with rubber bands. Instant poms!
I always keep the recipes simple and the cooking down to a minimal because I like to enjoy the game, too. The first thing I do is head to my local Walmart to load up on our game day favorites.
The “meat” of the party includes wings from a local restaurant and freshly baked DiGiorno Cheese Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza straight from my oven. DiGiorno pizza is always a big hit at my game day party and the cheese stuffed crust takes this pizza to a whole new level of deliciousness. I like the fact that each pizza is made with real mozzarella cheese and vine-ripened tomatoes from California.
Helpful Hint: From now until March 31, when you buy DiGiorno pizza, look for the $1.00 off coupon stuck to the individual pizza package. You can find the display at the end of the freezer aisle.
I add my pineapple cheese ball and crackers, my taffy apple dip, chips and salsa and I serve several varieties of drinks, but the favorite drink is always my famous mocha punch featuring Nesquik. You can find my family’s favorite punch here!
The grand finale is all about dessert and I think two desserts are always better than one! I serve my Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup trifle and limited edition Edy’s Grand Ice Cream Touchdown Sundae.
Have you tried the Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Minis? Two of my favorite flavors got hitched. You need to run (or drive) to Walmart, grab these babies and make my trifle. My Walmart has a huge display in the front of the store and you can also find them on the candy aisle.
- 1 package chocolate fudge cake mix
- 1 large package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 (8 oz.) container whipped topping
- ½ cup strong coffee
- 2 bags (8 oz. each) Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Minis, coarsely chopped
- Bake cake in a 13" x 9" pan, following the directions on the package.
- Meanwhile, make pudding following directions on the package.
- When cake has cooled, crumble and layer half of the crumbles on the bottom of a trifle dish or large glass bowl. Sprinkle with half of the prepared coffee. Top with half of the pudding mixture, half of the whipped topping and half of the Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Minis. Repeat layers, topping with the remaining Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups. Refrigerate a couple of hours or overnight.
Helpful Hint: The trifle can be made a day in advance and kept in the fridge. After you bake the cake and mix up the pudding, it’s all about the layering. This is the perfect dessert for any occasion.
A few hours before your guests arrive, scoop out the Edy’s Grand Ice Cream Touchdown Sundae into cups and place in the freezer. When it’s time for dessert, you won’t miss any of the game or the party. You’ll love the flavor and especially the little chocolate footballs swirled into the creamy ice cream.
Aren’t these little ice cream cups adorable? I bought them at my local party store. The little spoons are included. Who says paper products can’t be convenient and pretty?
If anyone has a snack attack during the game, I have football shaped bowls filled with fun size Nestle crunch bars and Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Minis. The bowls were 2 for $1.00 at my local dollar store. Score!
I hope you enjoy my game day tablescape, menu and recipes. What’s your game plan? I’d love to hear all about it.
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About Alli
Alli, your game day party looks fun and festive. That Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup Trifle would be incredibly disappearing at my house, looks delicious!
I love that y’all all wear your favorite jerseys too and cheer for opposite teams! This years Super Bowl should be quite interesting! We will be cheering for the Patriot’s.
That turf table cover is really cool! Love it!
I’ll be cheering for the Seahawks. It’s not my first choice, but I’ll cheer for anyone going up against the Patriot’s, especially after that deflated football incident. 🙂 I take my football seriously. 🙂
I think I used up like 25 Weight Watchers points just reading this post! I need to figure out how to make that trifle the WW way. May not be too bad since it’s made with pudding..I shall see. Great post as always!
Don’t you get extra points to bank or something like that? Bank those babies and eat some trifle! 🙂
I absolutely love your tablescape and this Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup Trifle recipe! What a fun thing for gameday and what a great way to celebrate the game with your people, whether or not your team is playing!
My team didn’t make it this year so I’m cheering for Seattle. 🙂
Another wonderful tablescape for the superbowl! The Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup Trifle sounds so good – my husband loves peanut butter cups, so I know this would be a hit!
I have 2 to pick from on Sunday. 🙂 Those new Butterfinger peanut butter cups are amazing. I like that they are unwrapped so it makes it easier to use in recipes OR to grab a handful.
Oh my goodness, that Trifle!!! I so love your parties and your tablescapes!
Thanks, Kristen! Your cousin and her family are adorable!!
Aw, thank you 🙂 And thanks so much for linking up with us over at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week!
I’ll be there!
Another wonderful party at yours for the superbowl! Pizza for party looks good to me!
Thanks, Anna. I really enjoyed your Food in the Bible today!
I have to try that trifle. It looks amazing, and so does your tablescape!
Thanks, Donella! The trifle is easy and delish!
I bet your party will be a blast! 🙂
Alli, this looks like such a great party theme. The trifle recipe looks amazing. Anything with Butterfinger and I’m a very happy girl
Your party looks so fun! Seriously making that trifle (maybe without the coffee?)
I’ve made it both ways. It is just as good without the coffee.
Love the grass tablecloth…such a clever idea. Looks like you’re going to have a terrific Super Bowl Party! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thanks, Lorelai. That table cover will be making an appearance on my table on game day for many years to come. 🙂
The triffle sounds amazing. And I love the little cups for the sundaes. Such a smart idea! #client
Looks like a fun, and yummy party! Pinned! Thanks for sharing at On Display Thursday. Hope to see you again this week.