Super Bowl Party Necessities

A bag of potato chips, your 1980s television and a six pack of beer does not a Super Bowl party make. With less than a month before the big game in Dolphin Stadium, you’ve got to start preparing if you want to go big with your shindig. We’re talking deep fryers, cold beer on tap, comfortable seating and, of course, a flat screen TV that will make your buddies seethe with envy.

1. Clinking Mugs: You could serve beer out of the can, but what’s the fun in that? We suggest buying a case of these glass mugs and tossing them in the freezer a few hours before the screaming masses arrive on your doorstep. These will keep your beer at near sub-zero temps. (Really, is there anything better than those floating polar ice caps that form on top of your suds? We think not.) 10 oz. Beer Mugs, Libbey.

2. Tap the Rockies (in Your Kitchen): If there’s one thing that will have your thirsty buddies worshiping at the altar of the beer gods, it’s the BeerTender. This keg uses an internal carbonator pressure unit that releases CO2 every time the tap is opened. Thanks to this little tech wonder, beer remains fresh for up to 30 days. But we doubt that little factoid matters much. We’d put money on the fact that our party guests could drain this bad boy before halftime. Heineken BeerTender, T-Fal.

3. The Main Attraction: While we’d love to watch the big game on the 65-inch Ferrari of televisions, the Panasonic Premiere, we won’t be dropping nearly $10,000 to snag one anytime soon. (Unless a rich uncle comes out of the woodwork or an otherwise unknown epic Super Bowl wager were to go our way.) In the meantime, we’d gladly watch the game on the Vizio 37-inch Flat Panel TV. CNET, our favorite go-to site for tech product reviews, has dubbed it solid, advanced and affordable. And it’s received tons of great reviews from magazines and tech sites. 37-inch Flat Panel Television, Vizio.

4. The Updated Recliner: This isn’t your grandfather’s recliner—and that’s a good thing. Unlike the plush, oversized eyesores you remember from your childhood, this bentwood chair with matching ottoman isn’t ugly, sagging or slightly reminiscent of any of the fuzzier Muppets. It is stylish and sure to pass your comfort test—and we guarantee that the misses will allow it in the house. Stella Bentwood Chair with Ottoman, Fy Lifestyle.

5. Deep-Fried Deliciousness: What New Year’s diet? When it’s Super Bowl time, we crave fried chicken fingers, onion rings and anything else you can drop into a vat of bubbling grease and cook up to golden-fried perfection. This two-quart deep fryer is one of the best advancements we’ve seen in the world of scalding-hot oil technology. Instead of constantly lifting the lid of the fryer and fussing with the basket to check to see if your food is crispy enough, the clear, glass bowl lets you watch the magic happen. Bonus: The polycarbonate guard surrounding the bowl ensures that no onlookers will be visiting a burn unit during halftime. Two-Quart Deep Fryer, Kalorik.