Throw the Ultimate World Series Viewing Party

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ~ JORDAN

Your team has made it — after 162 games and two playoff series — they’re in the World Series. It’s a terrific opportunity for a celebration, with friends and family all cheering for your team and their time in the sun.

Or you’re a diehard baseball fan, and even though your team did not make it to the World Series, you’re going to watch — you’ll bring friends over to share in their company and enjoy the game.

Maybe you are part of a circle of friends. Some are rooting for one team, and others for the other. Throw a fun party which gives everyone the opportunity to wave their favorite team’s MLB flag —  a chance to celebrate and moan as their teams battle it out for the World Series Crown.

No matter your reason for hosting a World Series party, here are some ideas which will allow you to throw a grand slam World Series Party.

DECOR:

Your décor should provide the proper baseball feel. Napkins, plates and plastic cutlery should all be in your team’s colors. If you have a party filled with fans of both teams, you can be gracious and include colors from both. The larger items, such as the tablecloth, should be in your team’s colors.

Getting one of your team’s banners to hang over the fireplace or front door should set the tone.

On top of the color scheme, you can get many party favors which emphasize the baseball theme. The decorations you get are up to you, but banners, bunting and ribbons always add to the festivity. Hanging decorations will enliven your house for the evening.

THE TV:

You’re going to want to make sure everyone can watch the game. If you have multiple TVs in the house, you may be able to move them to appropriate places, so your guests can enjoy the game throughout the house.

Consider renting a large screen TV or projector setup for the evening. The projector setup will work especially on large open walls.

Set up folding chairs as well as your regular seating around, but also consider flow. No matter how important the game is, people will be moving around for food, conversation and leg-stretching.

HOT FOOD:

Since the party will serve as dinner for most of your guests — most game coverage starts around 7:30 pm Eastern time, with the first pitches shortly after 8 pm, most of the country will be hungry during the game. Make sure you serve an array of hot food, like these Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings, which you can manage easily from your kitchen while still watching the game — after all, you are a party-goer, too.

One item for early on might be a fun Buffalo Chicken Dip, which has all the fun and flavor of wings, but far less of the mess. Serve several dishes of these early, in separate parts of the room. Another easy item — which can be made ahead and then baked right before the game — is this version of Cocktail Meatballs.

For the more substantial part of the “meal,” consider Ground Sirloin Sliders, which can be made very quickly and easily during a commercial break, if you have everything ready to go. A vegetarian option with flair is Polenta Cornballs with SpicyMarinara Sauce.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres are the perfect finger food for the hot food portion of this party.

COLD FOOD AND APPETIZERS:

Greet your guests with food already on the table. You can provide a traditional assortment of cheeses, crackers and baguette slice.

Since it’s a baseball game you’re watching, you need to have some peanuts — assuming no peanut allergies are in the house. These Hot and Spicy Roasted Peanuts will fit the bill, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning up peanut shells for weeks afterward.

One fun item which can be made right before people arrive is this Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Twist. Combining cheese, bacon and puff pastry, this appetizer will tease the bacon fans in your crowd.

Make a batch of Peanut Butter Caramel Corn in advance, and distribute it ready-to-eat in ballpark-style cups.

Surprise your guests by greeting them with a box of Cracker Jack for each. Cracker Jack is still associated with baseball and even comes with a prize!  

BEVERAGES:

In the background, you will have the usual array of sodas, ice tea, coffee and other standard beverages ready for your guests. In addition to the standbys, you might want to consider a few items with some flair. This Cherry-infused Soda Punch should stand up well on a chilly fall evening. Another option, which can be served in pitchers and passed around, is a tangy Pineapple Ginger Sparkler.

If you are serving alcohol, you know to keep track of your guests’ consumption. While we don’t say you must cut them off after the 7^th inning as they do at ballparks, you might want to keep in mind your guests’ drinking habits.

That said, remember that it’s baseball — beer is always welcome. If you can, consider a small quarter keg of your favorite brew for that ballpark feel. If you plan to serve hard liquor, honor baseball greats by mixing Highballs, the Babe’s drink of choice. They’re easy to make and perfectly sporty.

Another drink with true baseball spirit is the Golden Glove. Combining rum, lime and Cointreau, and this drink will hit it out of the park.

REMEMBER THE PROGRAM:

Remember this party’s focus is the game, so don’t wear yourself out showing off your cooking skills. You want to serve enough that people leave satisfied, but there’s no need to lay out a full meal.

The food is not the focus of this party — nor of any party, really. The focus is on the people and purpose. Since you will be watching the game, the conversation will be interrupted by spectacular catches, amazing steals and bad calls at the plate. Wave your team’s flag wildly.

The goal for throwing a World Series party is to spend time with friends and share the experience of watching the game.

Enjoy the party!