NBA Playoffs
The Ultimate B-Ball Party

Draw magic marker "seams" on
orange balloons to create easy
basketball party decorations.
|
The pro basketball teams battle all year to get to the NBA finals.
Even if your favorite team doesn't make it to the playoffs,
you still have to cheer for one of the teams that earned a spot.
Every June
the basketball world goes crazy for the NBA Playoff games and
the fans love every minute of it. The party starts in the beginning
of the season as new draft picks get tested on the hardwood
and the top basketball teams in each conference battle their
way down to the Playoff Finals!
If you know anyone who is a
basketball fan this is the season for following the big name
stars and the hot teams as they wind down to the playoffs...and
not much else! If you are a party person and a basketball fan...you
know where to find the action in June!
What's the
only cure for Playoff Fever? A NBA Playoff Basketball theme
party! It's time to get all of your B-Ball loving friends together,
fill the room with snacks and finger foods. An indoor version
of a tailgating party - or if you have the TV hook ups you can
even take it outdoors!
Try to find
someone with access to direct feed TV so you can catch the game
during the party. Set up foul zones for fans of opposing teams
to have cool down periods when the action heats upwith
true basketball fans, fouls or penalties can be the focus of
a major debate.
NBA PLAYOFF
Invitations These are easy to do with just a printer. Go to
a site where you can download some basketball
theme clip art.
Or, you can also score a copy of the updated
brackets...just press down on your right side mouse button
and click on "save target as" to save any picture
to your own computer. Then, use this as the background for your invitation!
On the front of your homemade basketball party invite create a catchy headline like "This Party is a Slam Dunk!" or "It's Game Time!" and on the inside be sure to include the date, time, and RSVP details.
Ideally
you should send invites 2 to 3 weeks in advance, but if you're
planning a party for any of the games coming up soon, you can
either hand them out or use an online invite
service or social media site to send guests the details. If you'd
like your guests to bring snacks, wine or beer, let them know
what to bring in the invitation.
Decorating
Ideas - There are plenty of places online to get basketball
themed party supplies - or check your local party supply store.
You can also get creative and make banners based on the NBA
teams who'll be the real entertainment at your party.
Use an old
sheets or poster paper from your local art supply store and
with paint or markers create logo-based decorations for the
teams that are playing. And, speaking of markers, you can also use them to create seams on orange balloons to create party basketballs (see illustration above.)
Plastic plates and cups
in team colors fit the theme and make cleanup a breeze.
Activities
You know the main activity will be watching the players
on the screen so don't worry too much about other party games
or activities to keep your guests busy. You can have a trivia
contest or try a "mini pool" with just the teams you'll
be watching. Let each guest pick the winners, the losers and
the scores when they arrive - whoever comes closest to the real
final results wins a prize.
If you have
a hoop set up in your driveway or nearby, you can use the half
time for a quick basketball game or plan to get together before
the Playoff game to shoot a few hoops.

Use orange icing and chocolate
piping to make easy homemade
basketball
party cupcakes. |
Basketball party food The main
ingredient of a successful NBA Playoff party is to have plenty
of snacks, a good supply of drinks - both with and without alcohol
- and plenty of seats positioned to watch the game.
Sports themed
parties are relaxed and easy for the host as well as the guests.
Don't plan on any extravagant foods that will keep you in the
kitchen instead of watching the game. Make sure you have a few
designated drivers on hand in case anyone celebrates a
win (or regrets a loss!) with a bit too much to drink.
If you want designated
smoking areas at your basketball party, tell people beforehand and make sure to have a small TV or radio in the smoker's
area. Welcome your guests, get them settled so they know where
everything is -- and enjoy!