The New York Giants and New England Patriots are set to clash in Super Bowl XLVI. For many the Super Bowl means parties and commercials – and a little bit of football, too.

If you are hosting a Big Game party, print out my free tailgate party invitation, then check out my article for Snackpicks.com for some great tips on planning your gathering, ways to keep the party moving, activities for the kids and post-game cleanup.

Some of the tips include:

• Show your team spirit by decorating the house in team colors (or get the Super Bowl XLVI Party Pack from Celebrate Express). For easy clean up, use disposable tablecloths, napkins and cups.
• Cover a card table (or similar) with butcher paper. Put out a bucket (or helmet) full of crayons/art supplies and let the kids be creative. Download and printout a variety of printable football coloring pages and activities for kids (and fidgety grownups).
• Have activities and games set up to keep the kids entertained. Like a football toss, play “hot potato” with a football, make goal posts and have a bean-bag toss, or try a sports trivia contest.

And more party supplies perfect for your SuperBowl party:

Super Bowl XLVI Party Pack for 16 Super Bowl XLVI – 18" Foil Balloon" Super Bowl XLVI – Plastic Tablecover Super Bowl XLVI Latex Balloons (6) Super Bowl XLVI 24" x 36" Super Tickets Poster New England Patriots Navy Blue Tailgate Party Big Sizes Hawaiian Style Polo Football 3D Centerpiece Football Gleam ‘N Burst Centerpiece Football Mini Cascading Centerpiece Football Accordian Centerpiece W/frame Each Football Goal Post Ring Toss Game 6′ Inflatable Goal Post Cooler with Football Super Bowl XLVI Square Dessert Plates (16) Super Bowl XLVI Banquet Dinner Plates (16) Super Bowl XLVI Beverage Napkins (32)

Show off your team spirit by serving your game day snacks on one of these unique college football team inspired serving trays. Perfect for tailgating, gift giving and everyday celebrations! I love the ones that are crafted after the individual teams’ stadiums.

Football Shaped Tray Chip and Dip Round Football Tray Missouri Tigers Ceramic Veggie Tray Alabama Crimson Tide Crimson-Black Ceramic Stadium Tray Indiana Hoosiers Ceramic Veggie Tray Louisville Cardinals Ceramic Veggie Tray North Carolina Tar Heels (UNC) Ceramic Veggie Tray Kansas Jayhawks Ceramic Veggie Tray Illinois Fighting Illini Ceramic Veggie Tray Kentucky Wildcats Ceramic Veggie Tray Texas Christian Horned Frogs (TCU) Ceramic Veggie Tray Iowa State Cyclones Ceramic Veggie Tray Georgia Bulldogs Ceramic Veggie Tray Football – Chip and Dip Round Tray Football Shaped Tray Wisconsin Badgers Ceramic Veggie Tray Texas A & M Aggies Ceramic Veggie Tray Kansas State Wildcats Ceramic Veggie Tray

Getting together with family and friends before the big game is a fall football tradition! Whether you are cheering for the local high school team, your college alma mater or your favorite pro team, tailgate parties are just fun!

While a tailgate party can be put together quickly and easily, a little planning can take your tailgate party from fun to fantastic without a lot of added time or expense.

Click to view and print the free tailgate party invitation full size

Start with our free printable tailgate invitation (click image left)! Print out the invitation on card stock and send it out to your guests.

Tailgate party food does not have to be complicated! A slow cooker with some chili and all the fixings, burgers and hot dogs on  portable grill, or a bucket of chicken from your favorite supermarket’s prepared foods area will do.

Show your team spirit by sporting gear in the colors or jerseys of your favorite team. Grab your Terrible Towels, Cheesehead hat or other spirit accessory and get ready to cheer on your team.  Don’t forget to pack a rain poncho or two – just in case it rains.

Visit my article at  SnackPicks.com for even more tips and snack ideas for the perfect tailgate party.