10 Fast & Easy Football Party Buffet Decorations
Most Super Bowl parties are more about the game, the food and the drinks than the decor. But I just can’t throw a party without a few decorations. And since the food is such a big part of the event, Super Bowl party buffet decorations seem like the way to go.
My Super Bowl party is the biggest party I throw all year. What can I say? Southerners love their football!
It’s also the event the requires the most amount of cooking and the least amount of decorating. (You can find my menu HERE).
Nobody wants tall centerpieces, balloons or other party decorations blocking their view of the game. So I keep them to a minimum (which is good…since it gives me more time to spend on the food).
However, I just can’t host a party without having a few party decor items around.
So I’ve decided since food is such a big deal, adding some super easy decorations to my Super Bowl party buffet table is the way to go…as long as they don’t take more than a few minutes to put together.
1 | Dress Up Cutlery Holders
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First up is to dress up the containers that is holding your cutlery.
I wrap some kitchen containers in football-themed paper napkins* and tape it on at the back.
They’re instantly turned into part of the Super Bowl party buffet decorations!
2 | Do The Same To Your Crock Pot
Same goes for my crock pots (I always have a few for this party).
I have one slow cooker that’s really old and is an ugly pink color. Definitely not a football party color!
The napkin trick transforms it into Super Bowl party decor. I have even had people ask me where I got the tailgating crock pot from 🙂
As an added benefit, the napkins also keep the outside of the crockpot from getting food on it…so it’s easier to clean at the end of the day.
3 | Use a Football Field Table Runner
Inexpensive football field runners can make any table look like it’s football party-ready. I use them everywhere!
These floor runners* are the most economical way to go.
For some reason they’re a lot less expensive than the table runners.
And they come with tape on the back so you can stick them down to the table to make sure they don’t move.
Just cut it to the length that you need.
(If you like the penalty flags napkin holder, check out my Super Bowl party decor ideas where you can get the printable sign.)
4 | Or Hang A Banner Below
If you don’t want to buy new tablecloths, use something you already have and dress it up by hanging a football banner on the front of it.
This homemade one won’t cost you anything to make. You can find the tutorial and free printable files HERE.
5 | Line Trays With Fake Grass
Fake grass* is another easy way to add the football feel to your buffet decor.
I line ALL of my trays with it.
6 | Serve Chips In A Football Bowl
These plastic football bowls* are really inexpensive and hold a ton of chips.
Which is great because it means you don’t have to keep running around refilling them all night.
7 | Put Out Team Plates And Napkins
Plates and napkins are the one item that I usually buy depending on the team that’s playing.
Since they get used up and thrown away, I’m not trying to save them from year to year.
Displaying the plates and napkins in a clear two-tiered letter holder is a great way to save space on your table if you don’t have a lot of room.
I usually get all of my team-specific decor at Party City*. They always have a good selection right before the game, and it’s often on sale.
8 | Make Sure Everyone Remembers To Take Them
These signs remind people to take a plate and a napkin (which usually isn’t necessary).
But the one for grabbing a fork and knife does come in handy.
Lots of people forget to take them before they leave the buffet area, and that causes congestion when they go back to get them.
The sign makes it really obvious where the cutlery is. And the clipboards make it part of the decor.
9 | Use Clipboard Food Labels
I use the same kind of clipboard signs to label the food.
That way people know what’s in all of the crock pots and chafing dishes.
If you’re interested, you can find all of my clipboard signs in our resource library. Get access by signing up for our newsletter below (or if you’re already a subscriber, you can go straight to the resource library and print them).
10 | Hang Pennants Above The Food
If you’re interested in showing some team spirit, hang some inexpensive pennants along the wall above the food.
I try to represent both teams. But if your home town is playing in the big game, you can go all out with your team colors.
Other Football Party Ideas You Might Like
Have questions or comments about our Super Bowl party buffet decorations? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on January 25, 2020 but was updated with new content on January 24, 2022.