You provide the Hofmann hot dogs and sausages and assign the other stuff like sides and desserts. When guests ask what can they bring, don’t tell them “whatever you want,” instead assign something specific to contribute like chips, buns, or a football themed dessert. Let them know how many items to bring so there is enough to serve the entire crowd, big or small.

Decorating on a budget? No worries. Instead of team branded napkins, plates, cups, and balloons, buy generic items in the colors of the teams. Green colored paper shred for gift wrapping can also be used as the base for a cookie or brownie tray to add a little grassy field color. Set a clean football on the table.

Cook up hot dogs, brats, and other sausages all at once and individually wrap them with buns in small sheets of aluminum foil but without toppings, making a pile on a tray. This will help keep them warm and is great for individual grab-n-go. Then have a toppings station nearby – your choice of condiments, chili, cheese, sauerkraut, relish, etc. Add a crockpot of Cocktail Franks with grape jelly and your favorite bbq sauce on a low setting for about 2-2.5 hours before game time. Place a stack of small plates and napkins by the crockpot with fancy toothpicks in a cup.

Are you in a cold weather climate? Hofmann products are fully cooked so you can heat them to your individual taste in a number of ways indoors…pan or iron skillet fry, use an indoor electric grill, or even an air fryer.

Have enough seating for everyone to watch the game and plan in advance if people will eat seated, standing, or a combination. Hot dogs and sausages are the perfect hand-held food. If standing, clear counter space and small tables nearby where guests can set down their food and drinks if necessary.

Fill galvanized buckets or coolers with ice and drinks about an hour before everyone arrives and have them stocked with plenty of bottled water, sodas, and if you prefer, alcoholic beverages such as beer and flavored seltzer for those of legal age. The key is self-serve so you can have fun too. Make sure that you have a designated driver or call Uber or Lyft for safe rides home.

Make clean up easier by designating both trash and recycling pop-up or stationary cans in strategic locations if you are having at least ten people. Make your rounds at the end of each quarter and toss random plates, bottles, and cans in receptacles so there won’t be a lot to do at the end of the game and when everyone leaves.