Football, Food, and 4K: Create the Ultimate Thanksgiving Day Watch Party

Thanksgiving means gratitude, great food, and — of course — football! If you’ve been handed the honor of hosting this year’s watch party, don’t sweat it. With the right game plan, you can pull off a celebration that blends holiday traditions with game-day excitement. Our guide walks you through some ideas on how to host a watch party on Thanksgiving that will hopefully leave guests full, happy, and already asking when your next party is.

Step 1: Nail Your Living Room Setup

When hosting a football-watching party, nothing is more important than your viewing setup. Here are some ideas on how to make sure all your guests have an uninterrupted view of the game.

Optimize Your TV Angles

TV angles are everything. You don’t want guests hurting their necks to see the game or struggling with screen glare. Here are some tips to help:

• Test Sightlines: Sit in different spots around the room and check whether you can see the TV clearly. Rearrange furniture so no one has to crane their neck.
• Avoid Glare: Close blinds and curtains or adjust lamp positions so sunlight or reflections don’t block the screen.
• Mount or Elevate Your TV: If your TV is low, placing it on a higher stand or wall-mounting can help everyone see better.

Consider Multiple Screens

Depending on your space and the size of your party, you may want to bring in more than one TV. Setting up multiple TVs in one room is easy. If your TVs are compatible, just place your screens where you want them — either mounted on the wall or on a stand/table — and use an HDMI splitter to stream mirror the same content across screens. This way, everyone can easily see at least one screen and enjoy the game.

Need to get a second TV in time for the big game? You don’t have to blow your holiday spending budget. With Rent-A-Center, you can use rent-to-own and get the TV you need without paying the full price upfront.

Perfect Your Audio

Football might be more about the visuals, but guests still want to hear the refs and commentators. When you reach the audio portion of your home theatre setup, make sure you:

• Boost Clarity: If your TV’s speakers aren’t powerful, consider connecting a soundbar or portable speaker.
• Balance the Volume: The sound should be loud enough for game excitement, but not so loud that conversations are drowned out. A wireless speaker in a secondary room, such as the kitchen, can help guests stay connected no matter where they are.

Offer Plenty of Comfy Seating

While some people may like to stand and pace to get their game-day energy out, most of your guests will appreciate a comfy spot to sit and relax. When setting up your living room, make sure you:

• Maximize Existing Furniture: Angle couches and chairs toward the TV, even if it means temporarily moving them.
• Add Flexible Seating: Use folding chairs (with pillows!), bean bags, or even floor cushions. Layer rugs or blankets to make sitting on the floor comfortable. Multipurpose furniture like ottomans can be a huge help if you’re hosting in a small space.
• Designate Zones: Place seats closer for those who want to focus on the game and create casual “chat zones” slightly farther back for guests more interested in socializing.
• Clear walkways: Keep paths to the kitchen, bathroom, and door open so guests don’t block the screen when moving around.

Step 2: Decorate, Decorate, Decorate

No Thanksgiving holiday watch party is complete without the right decor. This is your time to get cozy and sporty. These ideas can inspire you:

• Add fall-colored throw blankets and pillows to your seating options.
• If you’re rooting for a specific team, incorporate their colors into napkins, balloons, and streamers to show your support.
• Use Thanksgiving or football-themed plates and cups.
• Place mini pumpkins and fake fall leaves on the snack table.
• Fill mason jars or vases with mini foam footballs or team-colored pompoms and use them as centerpieces.
• Set up a photobooth corner with football and Thanksgiving props for guests to snap pics with.

Decorating for your Thanksgiving football party on a budget? Get creative and DIY your decorations with pinecones or visit your local thrift store for hidden treasures.

Step 3: Serve Up Delicious Eats and Treats

It’s Thanksgiving, which means food is still the star of the show. You can take on all the food-making duties, or you can invite your guests to each bring a dish and enjoy a potluck feast. These Thanksgiving football watch party ideas will have every guest cheering for you just as loudly as they do the game:

• Turkey Sliders: Blend the traditional hamburger slider with a Thanksgiving classic by swapping the beef patty for roasted turkey.
• Stuffing Bites: Create “stuffing muffins” by baking boxed stuffing mix in a mini muffin tin.
• Sweet Potato Fries: Make a nod to sweet potato casserole with crispy fries paired with chipotle mayo or maple dip.
• Deviled Eggs: A classic Thanksgiving side and the perfect football party finger food.
• Veggie Platter: Who can turn down carrot sticks, bell peppers, and cucumber slices paired with ranch? You can even arrange the veggies to look like a turkey!
• Mashed Potato Bar: Serve this must-have Thanksgiving side dish with customizable toppings, including shredded cheese, bacon bites, onions, chives, and sour cream.
• Football Brownies: Cut the brownies into football shapes and decorate with white icing.
• Cookie Platter: Bake sugar cookies shaped like pumpkins and footballs. To make this option interactive, invite guests to decorate their own cookies with icing and sprinkles.
• Caramel Apples: Offer whole apples dipped in caramel or apple slices drizzled with caramel sauce as a fall-favorite treat.
• DIY Hot Drink Station: Keep a few slow cookers filled with cozy, feel-good drinks like hot chocolate and warm cider. Let guests customize with toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, and cinnamon sticks.

Step 4: Keep the Energy Up with Games and Activities

Football games can be long, and not every guest will be swept up in the action. It’s important to have plenty of entertainment options for kids and adults alike. These activities should be optional but helpful for downtime and halftime.

• Football Trivia: Prep a few easy-to-hard questions about NFL history, the teams playing, or even funny Thanksgiving Day game facts. The winner gets a small prize, like a plastic trophy or first pick of dessert.
• Commercial Bingo: Make bingo cards with common TV commercial themes (beer, trucks, insurance, fast food). Guests mark off squares as they spot them. The winner gets a special treat.
• Charades or Pictionary (Football Edition): Use football terms, team names, or halftime show themes.
• Gratitude Jar: Remember, it’s still Thanksgiving. Set out slips of paper and a jar; guests can write something they’re thankful for. Share a few during halftime for a wholesome break.
• Touchdown Dance-Off: Play music and have guests show off their best touchdown celebration — funniest or most creative wins.
• Cornhole: If you’re hosting an outdoor party, you can’t go wrong with this classic.
• Pin the Football on the Goalpost: Just like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, this game is easy to DIY with poster board.
• Coloring Station for Kids: Print football or turkey coloring sheets to keep little ones occupied.
• Turkey Scavenger Hunt: Hide paper or mini plastic turkeys around the house. Whoever finds the most by the end of the party wins.

Pro tip: Keep games short and flexible so nobody misses any important parts of the game. A mix of active (cornhole) and low-key (trivia, bingo) will keep everyone included.

Hosting Just Got Easier with Rent-A-Center

Ready to host the ultimate football watch party this Thanksgiving? Upgrade your game-day setup with a comfortable living room set, a smart TV, and a top-notch audio system. Explore Rent-A-Center’s rent-to-own option with flexible payment options at a store near you, and get ready for the big game!