WHATSAPP GROUP

Start a WhatsApp group and create hype around your party! Send out reminders mentioning date/time/venue and stay open to suggestions.

THE VENUE

An open terrace or a large living room — a lot depends on where you are hosting the party. If there are many people and the weather is fine, you can put up a projector on your terrace and do up the space for a stadium-like feel, because there is nothing like watching a match open-air.

If it is indoor, try and make as much space as you can by removing unwanted furniture for people to spread out comfortably. 

DECOR

World Cup fever calls for a football theme. Choose the match that you will be watching and take a cue from the team flag colours. If it’s the face-off between Croatia and England, your predominant colours should be blue and black, and white and red. 

Put up two big team flags and do up a window with a chain of mini flags. The best way to do it is to stick the flags on a string instead of sticking them on the wall and then struggling to take it off. 

Play with the team colours in the rest of the decor, too, like the cushions. Set up small flags on the table and near the television. Throw in some footballs to add to the theme. try and make as much space as you can by removing unwanted furniture for people to spread out comfortably. 

GAMES 

Fun interactive and easy games before and during half-time will up the fun quotient. Drinking games like Gulp A Shot every time a goal is scored or Predict and Win the score before half-time will ensure there will never be a quiet moment. If you predict correctly, you get to chug an extra beer! If you are screening the match on your terrace, you can consider hanging up a football net and getting your friends to score just for fun! 

FOOD 

Whether your team’s winning or not, the grub has to be good. Keep the time of the match in mind. If it is an evening match, then snacks are a great way to start off. Think jhalmuri served in paper cones. Pizzas and kebabs are easy and non-messy. 

If it is a late-night match, the focus should be on the main course. A buffet spread is a good idea — that way people can help themselves and all you need to do is refill the bowls. Adding an element of football to the menu is a great option. You can order World Cup-themed cupcakes and cookies for dessert. Use red and yellow paper napkins (denoting red and yellow cards!). To make it more fun, throw a pot luck party where friends can get food. Keep the bar (read, beer bottles) ready with ice cubes, besides mixers like soda, energy drinks and juice.

DRESS CODE 

Jerseys are a must! If you haven’t ordered online yet, you can pick them up from the para shops if the budget is tight too. If you are planning a party on a short notice, get a bunch of plain white tees, and make your own team jerseys with stencil and colours. 

You can give out handmade ribbons in team colours which can be tied around the wrist or forehead. Keep a face-painting section where guests can wear their teams’ colours on their face. Keep colourful wigs and funky shades and cut-outs of star players for photo ops for your album.