| While it seems that 99% of the United States (OK, the | | | | and then proceed to a main course, appetizers or |
| world) plans to throw or attend a Super Bowl theme | | | | snacks as the festivities continue. See the Menu |
| party this year, I know for a fact there are many of us | | | | section below. |
| (yes, yours truly included) who would be extremely | | | | * Have your guests write their names and/or a "secret |
| happy with an alternative theme party idea for that | | | | message" backwards on name tags when they arrive. |
| certain Sunday, and all the details for giving one are | | | | Have a mirror set up nearby so they can check to |
| right here. | | | | see if their creations can be read when viewed in a |
| Did you know that every January 31st is Backwards | | | | mirror. |
| Day? It is not a very well-known holiday, but it certainly | | | | * Have a race to see who can recite the alphabet |
| is a fun theme to build a party around. You can throw | | | | backwards the fastest. Make sure to have a stop |
| a Backwards Party that Sunday as an alternate to the | | | | watch handy. |
| usual Super Bowl party, or also incorporate it within a | | | | * Run relay races backwards if weather allows you |
| Super Bowl party for those guests who come, but are | | | | some time outdoors. If it is too cold, play a board game |
| not really into football or watching TV commercials. | | | | backwards, such as Scrabble or Scrabble for Juniors |
| INVITATIONS TO A BACKWARDS DAY PARTY | | | | (spell all words backwards), or Chutes and Ladders |
| If you are mailing out printed invitations, you can put the | | | | (go down the ladders and up the chutes). These are |
| stamps and return address labels upside down, but do | | | | two classic games, but there are many more that can |
| not write the guests' addresses upside down, unless | | | | be adapted for a backwards theme. Let your |
| you want to upset the postal workers. Or, you can | | | | imagination soar! |
| address the envelopes correctly, but place the name, | | | | * Watch the DVD of "Groundhog Day" starring Bill |
| address, stamp and return address on the backs of | | | | Murray (rated PG for thematic elements), a classic |
| the sealed envelopes, so the guests receive truly | | | | from 1993. A terrific family movie, Bill Murray stars as a |
| backwards party invitations. | | | | sullen/sarcastic news reporter who is stuck living the |
| Select a generic "We're Having a Party" style invitation, | | | | same day over and over again....until he gets it right. |
| but write the "Time," "Date," "Address," and "RSVP" on | | | | OK, so it's not exactly a movie with a backwards |
| the wrong lines. Be sure to give the correct information, | | | | theme but Groundhog Day is celebrated every |
| just put it on an incorrect line or space on the invitation. | | | | February 2nd -- and that's a whole other theme party |
| Or, you could leave the inside blank (if it opens like a | | | | idea in itself. |
| card), and write all of the information on the back of | | | | * Award a goofy prize to the person who can find the |
| the invitation. Your guests will certainly figure out | | | | most palindromes in the dictionary. A palindrome is a |
| something's up! Another idea is to use Super Bowl | | | | word, phrase, verse or sentence that reads the same |
| party invitations and with a thick red marker place a | | | | backwards or forwards. Examples of a few are: noon, |
| red circle with a slash through it (the universal sign for | | | | kayak, racecar, pop, and deed. |
| "NO") and then announce it's a Backwards Day Party | | | | * Play your very own Jeopardy game. Make up riddle |
| somewhere else on the invitation. For any of these | | | | answers about your family, guests, celebrities, and/or |
| ideas, you can also fold the invitations inside out before | | | | current events and see if the "contestants" can come |
| placing them in the envelopes. | | | | up with the correct questions. Have a goofy prize for |
| MIXED UP DECORATIONS | | | | the winner. |
| Any color scheme works fine for paper goods for this | | | | BACKWARDS MENU IDEAS |
| theme. Depending on how far you want to take the | | | | Aside from serving dessert first and the healthier fare |
| theme, you can have fun by mixing things up in your | | | | later in the party, it is time to get creative with your |
| house. For example, move items that belong in the | | | | menu and presentation: |
| kitchen to the living room. Have your guests laughing at | | | | * Since you're starting with dessert....have an ice cream |
| the toaster on the cocktail table, or a spatula and roll of | | | | sundae bar set up with all of the toppings and ice |
| paper towels on the fireplace mantle, or an apron tied | | | | cream ready to go. Be sure your guests start with the |
| over a pillow on the couch. Hang your framed pictures | | | | cherry and nuts on the bottoms of their bowls, then |
| backwards with the fronts facing the wall (but be sure | | | | add the toppings, ice cream and even a brownie to |
| they're secure and won't fall), or hang them completely | | | | top it off! Or, serve Upside Down cake! There are |
| upside down and see if any of your guests notice! | | | | recipes for many varieties of Upside Down cake to be |
| ACTIVITIES, GAMES AND BACKWARDS THEME | | | | found online; just type "Upside Down Cake" into your |
| FUN | | | | favorite search engine and check out the myriad of |
| Activities are the most hilarious part of this theme | | | | results. |
| party and are sure to engage all of the guests no | | | | * Make sandwich rolls with the meats or cheese on |
| matter what their ages. Here are some ideas to get | | | | the outside and the bread (tortillas, lavash or any flat |
| started with, but again, only you decide how far you | | | | breads work well) on the inside. Or serve mini-burgers |
| want to go with this theme: | | | | with the meat on the outside and a piece of a bun on |
| * Wear your clothes backwards or inside out and | | | | the inside. Slice a hot dog in half and put it on the |
| encourage your guests to do the same by writing a | | | | outside of a half of a hot dog bun. Make sure you |
| note on the invitation. You can even try wearing your | | | | have lots of napkins on hand! |
| shoes on the wrong feet if you can stand it! | | | | * Serve foods in opposite-size helpings. In other words, |
| * Greet your guests at the BACK door with | | | | have a huge bowl of dip with a tiny bowl of potato |
| "Goodbye! Come again soon." When they leave be | | | | chips next to it, the reverse of what is customary. Or, |
| sure to say, "Hello! Good to see you. How nice of you | | | | have a cookie tray with 12 shot glasses of milk on it |
| to come!" You can have backwards conversations; | | | | and next to it have a large drinking glass with five or |
| describe something or give instructions using the | | | | six cookies inside it. Consider these "stunt" foods -- |
| opposite of what is usual. Or, try singing songs | | | | meant to emphasize the theme as well as to actually |
| backwards! | | | | be eaten. |
| * Call everyone by their last names instead of their | | | | Be sure to take lots of photos, too . . . with your |
| first names. | | | | guests' backs to the camera! It may not be a Super |
| * Sit on chairs backwards and walk backwards. This is | | | | Bowl theme, but it is guaranteed to be a super party |
| also a perfect party at which to serve dessert first | | | | that your guests will remember for years to come! |