The day is soon upon us when the best gladiators of the gridiron converge into battle to signal the climactic end of another dramatic season. There’s also commercials and Katy Perry’s halftime performance that’s sure to fuel office chatter. But, if you’re throwing a Super Bowl party this year, the one thing you want to make sure of is that your deflated preparations don’t, too, become the fodder of office gossip. There are essentials to every Super Bowl party – attire, presentation, food and entertainment. Creativity goes a long way, but failing to address each aspect leaves your friends wondering if you really brought your A-game to the most important game of the year. Before food can even be considered, one has to access the party environment. Sure, you have enough room. You invited only enough people to seat comfortably in your abode, but do you have the right television equipment? “I’ve been doing this for 36 years, so I should be an expert,” said Paul DeMilio, store manager at Towne TV in Schenectady. Towne TV has supplied televisions to the Capital District since 1956 and has outfitted commercial properties like the Recovery Room restaurants with their presentation needs. “For most people, the small stuff doesn’t sell at all. They think: I sit ten feet away from the television, I want a 70-incher.” An over-zealous approach like that would be a rookie mistake in DeMilio’s opinion. When shopping for a television, DeMilio said, you need to keep in mind the dimensions of the room and the lighting available within it. Amazon.com provides a simple equation to help determine the television size for you. According to their math, the smallest set would equal the distance from your sofa divided by three, and the largest should not surpass the same distance divided by one-and-a-half. So, if you will be 10 feet away, you’re looking at a set no smaller than 40 inches, but no larger than 80. “60-inches is a common set nowadays,” said DeMilio. The television expert’s advice is to look into a 4K UHD set. The resolution on the new technology surpasses the high definition sets of a few years ago. A 50-inch set, top of the line, can be had at around $1,400, he said. DeMilio’s All Pro suggestion: “Add a sound bar to it,” he said. “It amplifies the sound in the room, especially with a sub-woofer. It really rocks the room.” Once you secure yourself with the proper equipment to view the game, you can now worry about feeding your guests. “One of the things to keep in mind when ordering food is to consider your audience,” said Jen Felitte, Niskayuna Co-Op’s general manager. The Nisky Co-Op has been Niskayuna’s neighborhood grocer since 1943. Each week, the deli offers up a platter menu covering a wide spectrum of various tastes, including meat, cheese, fruit, veggie and shrimp. There are salads, sandwiches and wings too. Felitte suggests that if you order hot wings, to think about having the sauce on the side. Failing to prepare is preparing the fail, said Felitte. A rookie’s fatal mistake is “waiting to the last minute,” she said. “Waiting to Friday, or even Saturday to order the platters, and they don’t get what they want. Everyone is thinking of the same thing.” The Co-Op’s menu offers three-foot subs, but you better provide 48-hour notice should you want to avoid a strong, goal line stance. Felitte serves up additional advice to help cut down on confusion during the game. “One thing I see at parties is hosts typically give guests a red, plastic cup for drinks and then no one knows whose is whose,” said Felitte. “Take out a black Sharpie and get those names on there.” Whether you choose to host or attend a party, no one expects you to watch a football game in your Sunday best, unless your Sunday best is a Mitchell & Ness throwback jersey, or Nike authentic National Football League gear. Chaz Betz, president and CEO of The Stadium at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, is already seeing jerseys sell out from his store. “Tom Brady is already sold out,” he said, pointing to a blank space on the wall.
The Stadium has served the Capital District for several years, and Betz said they provide the widest variety of team apparel in the area. There is a hat for every football team and a jersey to match. Throwback jerseys of football greats from the past can be found in the back of the store. Following these guidelines ensures there will be no losers this Super Bowl Sunday. But, should you find yourself without plans, you can lean on some relative newcomers to the scene. “We have the ultimate viewing experience,” said Maria Agresti, senior manager at Dave & Busters at Crossgates Mall. The open floor plan of the restaurant allows patrons to view many of the several large screen televisions sets sprawled throughout the floor plan. The restaurant markets itself as a place to, “Eat. Drink. Play. Watch.” In more elaborate terms, it’s difficult for anyone’s interests to wane once the game gets out of hand. Hot and cold appetizers will be on hand. Everyone in the cocktail area receives raffle tickets, with awards tied to events as they happen in the game. VIP status is also available for those who call ahead. “I’m looking forward to a great Super Bowl this year,” said Agresti.