Super Bowl Sunday is the National Party Day of the year.
It's also the day of mosts:
* Most people watching TV
* Most avocados eaten
* Most chips dipped
* Most dollars bet
And this year, it's even bigger in North Jersey because for the second time in four years, the Giants are in the big game.
To make sure you're prepared, here's a Super Bowl party checklist to keep handy as you plan your extravaganza:
* SNACKS: Plan on a lot. Kickoff is at 6:29 and the game will most likely run past 10 p.m., and if the crowd wants to watch any of the pre-game, that's a lot of noshing. Have the staples: chips, pretzels, popcorn. But think out of the box (and maybe even a bit healthy): nuts and cut-up veggies.
* DIPS: What else are you going to stick those chips and veggies in? You can go with the usual (and usually high-calorie) onion or ranch dip, but if you want some healthier options, pick up Saturday's Better Living section for some great ideas.
* WINGS: A fixture, even if they are messy. The options vary from store-bought to homemade. Remember, everyone has different levels of "hot" tolerance so make sure you cover the bases with a mixture of mild, medium and hot. (Don't forget the blue cheese and celery.)
* BEER: This event is made for beer drinking. You need a cold one for the first time the Budweiser Clydesdales show up on the screen.
* BOX POOL: In case the game is a blowout, this keeps everyone interested. Make a grid of 100 boxes. The columns are for the Giants, the rows for the Patriots. Pick numbers 0 to 9 out of a hat and write them down in order after everyone has put their initials in a box. The person whose box matches the last digit of each team's score at the end of a quarter, wins a prize; the final score winner gets the biggest prize.
* TV VIEWING AREA: Make sure there's sufficient room for the size crowd you have. If you can, have at least two viewing areas — one for those interested in the game; the other for those who just watch for the commercials. The old black-and-white is for any Patriot fans.
* ACCESSIBLE GARBAGE CONTAINERS: Have them strategically placed in the TV room as well as in the kitchen. No one wants half-eaten chicken wings lying around longer than necessary.
* EMERGENCY CLEAN UP KIT: Face it, something will be spilled. Take it in stride and be ready.
* NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Load up on the soda, seltzer and bottled water.
* MAIN COURSE: Know your crowd. But in most cases, keep it simple, choosing from pizza, giant sandwiches, chili or even a lasagna or pasta. For the most part, this is eating while watching, so you don't want to have use more than one utensil at a time if at all possible. If you're ordering pizza, call early. Everyone else is ordering as well.
* DESSERT: Here too, keep it simple. Most people will be stuffed by this point in the evening, so think cookies and brownies more than elaborate cakes. And, if the unthinkable should happen and the Giants are on the wrong end of the score, most of your guests won't be in a sweet mood.
* COFFEE: Before they hit the road, they may need a jolt of caffeine. But then again, it's a late night (and a school and work night), so have a pot of decaf as well.
* SAFETY: Have car service numbers available and suggest your guests have a designated driver on notice just in case someone has one Bud too many.
