The Good Life For Less: Throw A Not Super 'Expensive' Bowl Party

Are you ready for some football? It's going to be a bittersweet Sunday for me. I like watching the Super Bowl, but I'm not as excited since the Vikings won't be playing in the big game. But there are plenty of things you can do to still enjoy the day with family and friends that don't cost a lot. 

Decorations On A Dime

An important part of getting everyone involved in the game -- the decor. You can dish out for the expensive stuff, but dollar-store finds are just as good. Pick up streamers, banners, paper plates, cups and napkins in your teams' favorite colors if you can't find any inexpensive football themed accessories. Click here for some fun crafty decoration ideas.

Frugal Fun

As if the game and commercials weren't enough, you need something to keep your party-goers engaged -- especially those that may not follow football closely.

I would suggest something my friends and I did while watching a recent Vikings/Packers football game. Make a 10x10 square grid (or print it off here), then number it randomly using numbers 0 through 9 on the bottom and then again side of the graph. Let each axis represent one of the two teams.

Next, put your guest's names randomly in the squares. Those whose names are in the squares with the last digits in the score at the end of each quarter, wins a prize. (For example if the score is 14-7, you would look to see who is in the 4-7 square. Score is 7-14 -- look in the 7-4 square; 21-14, look in the 1-4 square and so on.)

For more game ideas for kids and adults click here.

Prizes for the winners can be anything from peanuts to pencils, and mini-footballs to team gear. You can also get creative and save some money and reward the winner of each round with beer/food brought to them anytime they want during that quarter, or they get the best seat in the house and their own personal tray of football snacks so they won't have to get up and miss the action.

Speaking of snacks, check back tomorrow and I'll post some of the food deals going on for Super Bowl Sunday.