We love football in this house, especially the NFL. While Matt is a hardcore Cowboys fan, I am diehard Saints fan, we will watch no matter who is playing. So when the beginning of February rolls around, we are always pumped to watch the big game. Before having kids, I loved hosting a party for the game, but with as young as the girls are, hosting a party, particularly one in which I would have to get the girls down for bed in the middle of, we’ve opted to just watch the game the two of us over the past few years.
Since Lillian and Stella are a little older this year, 5 and 3 respectively, I decided we would have a little party just for us! They have both started watching football with us and love to decorate and cook for something special! I was so inspired by Landyn’s stories last week about decorating her store for the game, I ran to Party City to get some of the same décor!
Our only tradition for the big game is Matt’s Aunt’s 7-layer dip. He calls her every year to get the recipe and he makes it. Don’t tell her, but we have it written down and we don’t need it every year, but it’s their thing.
Aunt Jeannine’s 7 Layer Dip
- Jar of bean dip
- Can of refried beans
- Sour Cream
- 2 packets of Taco seasoning
- Guacamole
- 1lb of ground beef
- 1 to 2 Cups of shredded cheddar cheese (depending on how cheesy you want it)
- 1 large tomato, seeded and diced
- 1 can of sliced black olives
- Shredded lettuce, jalapeño, green onion, cilantro(optional toppings)
- Tortilla chips for dipping
- Brown and drain the fat of 1lb of ground beef, then add 1 packet of taco seasoning and let simmer for about 5 min. Set aside to cool
- In a glass casserole dish or serving dish of your choice, layer the jar of bean dip, then the can of refried beans
- Mix sour cream with the second pack of taco seasoning in a small bowl, then layer that on top of the bean dip
- Next add the guacamole, then top with the cooled taco meat and shredded cheese
- Top with the diced tomato and sliced olives
- Add any opptional toppings: iceburg lettuce, jalapenos or green onion
- Serve with tortilla chips
I’ll also be making this Buffalo Chicken Dip. Buffalo is by far my favorite flavor. I love the spicy sweet of it. I will serve it will celery sticks, carrot chips and regular chips.
If we were having an actual party I would also make a pan of these baked sliders, they look so good!
I will also do a big bowl of fruit, pretzels and popcorn to finish out our table of snacks for the game. And of course, since it is Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, we will have King Cake for dessert! Here are some other dessert ideas if you want to make something of your own.
When we had parties in the past, we would also play commercial bingo! The commercials can be as good (sometimes better) than the actual game. Having something fun to keep a group engaged and a little competition always makes for a good party. Here is a link to some free printable bingo cards made specifically for this year’s game.
No matter what you do, this year, the game promises to be a great one!
