It’s coming home! How to host the ultimate World Cup party on a budget

1. Setting up your party space

When it comes to creating your own World Cup viewing party, start by setting up your space. With the tournament taking place through November and December, you can’t rely on outdoor space the same way you could with a summer tournament so make sure your guests are cosy and warm inside. Keep that heating low, and use throws, blankets and duvets.

The ultimate centrepiece for a World Cup party is a massive sofa that everyone can squish into. However, if you’ve got a more modest set-up, the answer is scattering around a few floor cushions or bean bags in front of the TV to ensure everyone is snug.

Make sure there’s an obvious drinks and food table that you can replenish every now and again, with a bin tactfully placed nearby.

 

2. Don’t forget the Ice

Rain or shine your guests will still want their beverages served chilled, so make sure you’re stocked up with  Party Ice ahead of each fixture.

Worried about where to store all the ice? Instead of using up valuable freezer space or buying a trendy ice bucket that you’ll only use once a year, turn the kitchen sink into the bar. It’s simple and cost effective. Just fill the sink with a couple bags of Party Ice and add your beverages.

If you’re hosting a bigger party, and have the space, you could even convert the bathtub into an extended back bar.

 

3. Drinks

To keep things simple, all you really need to serve at a World Cup party is the trio of classics: wine, beer and spirits. Don’t overthink your drinks selection – if  the drinks are flowing, the party will go on.

Guests will likely bring a bottle of their own anyway, so make sure you have a couple of bottles of wine and prosecco per person, decant a crate or two of beer in your makeshift ice buckets before your first guest arrives. Tonic water is a must for those gin drinkers, but it’s always a good idea to stock up on soft drinks just in case.

If you want to add a bit of creativity to the occasion, you should try our Strawberry Lime Party Punch, or one of its other mouth-watering jug cocktails for a stress free party!

STRAWBERRY LIME PARTY PUNCH

Ingredients:

• X3 handfuls of Party Ice
• X4 measures of white rum
• X1 lime juiced
• X3 tablespoons of sugar
• X1 bottle of lemonade
• X1 handful of strawberries
• X1 handful of mint leaves

Method:

• Add the Party Ice, white rum, lime juice, and sugar to a large pitcher or serving bowl and gently stir.
• Cut the strawberries into halves, and roughly chop the mint leaves.
• Top up the pitcher with lemonade, and garnish with the strawberry halves and mint leaves.
• Place your pitcher as a centrepiece on your drinks table, and serve!

 

4. Half-time snacks

You may all be together for the football, but providing a good spread is just as important as the football. It’s not the time or place to be pulling out the trusty BBQ, so you need to be tactical and ensure there are plenty of crisps, nuts, olives and breadsticks available as there will be a lot of intermittent snacking between goals, half-time and any potential dramatic penalty shootouts.

Why not hone in on the football theme and serve pie and peas? Buy in bulk which is often cheaper from a large wholesaler and go for mini pies that don’t require a knife and fork, with little pots of peas on the side and some ketchup sauce for dipping.

 

5. Never miss the action

Being organised is key when it comes to planning your screening. Ensure you’ve double checked the schedule, invited your guests over with enough time before kick-off and got the TV ready to go ahead of the match. It’s better to have 30 minutes spare ahead of the game to discuss how you think the game will pan out, rather than missing any of the action once the whistle has blown.

With these savvy World Cup hosting ideas, guests will be sure to have the best time. Keep an eye out on our Party Ice Instagram for more fun world cup related content. Plus, for more party ideas as well as amazing drinks recipes, visit The Ice Co‘s Ice News page.