Δ / NEWS / FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
PLAN A PARTY
Super Bowl XLIV on a budget
BY LAUREN HENDRICK
lhendrick@kansan.com
Whether you care about which team leaves the Sun Life Stadium proud, The Who and Rihanna's halftime performances or the collection of pricey commercials, it's a given that we can all stand unified on one aspect of Super Bowl festivities: the grub.
Throwing a party on a student budget, however, can be tricky.
Cherika Boyde, a senior from Kansas City, Kan., said she planned to throw a watch party with her roommate and expected 15 of her friends to attend. They're planning on making hot wings, Rotel queso dip and brownies without breaking the bank. She said they'll use items they already have and try to stay under $20.
Pat Thompson, a senior from Shawnee, said he and his roommates are hosting a pot luck watch party on Sunday to keep
THE GOAL
Spend $50 or less hosting a party for 15
THE PLACE
Hy-Vee 3504 Clinton Parkway
THE CHECKLIST
Veggie Tray
Veggie Tray For the health nuts on the coach
Guacamole
Queso Dip
Because a party without queso dip just isn't a party
too many requests to ignore
Chips & Salsa
Chips & Salsa
Gameday staple
Hot Wings
Football watchin' food
The Decisions: Is it cheaper to buy premade snacks or make your own?
The Deciding Factors
Hy-Vee offers an array of premade snacks, including smoked wings, large sub sandwiches, veggie trays, cakes cookies — you name it. Considering the costs of the premade items verses the costs of making them will determine how much time will be spent in the kitchen instead of watching the game.
Hy-Vee premade items available:
■ Smoked ribs $10/slab
■ Smoked wings $3.99/lb (6-8 wings per lb.)
■ Mini shrimp tray $5.99/lb.
■ 2-foot sub sandwich $13-$20 (feeds 8-10 people)
■ Veggie tray $19.99
■ Guacamole dip $4.59
Because wings, a veggie tray and guacamole are must-haves, it's wise to think about how much it would cost to make these items before buying them from the deli.
WINGS
- 2 lb. Chicken wings value pack $6.64 (about 16 wings)
- Frank's Hot Sauce $2.27
Total with tax: $9.61
vs.
2 lbs. wings at the
deli for $3.99/lb for
approximately $9
VERDICT: For the amount of work it takes to cut the wing from the drum and bake them, a dollar extra for the premade wings might be worth it, but they might not taste as good.
VEGGIETRAY
Baby carrots $1.68
Broccoli $1.18
Celery $.98
Cauliflower $2
Veggie dip $2.50
Total with tax: $8.99
VS.
Premade veggie tray for $19.99
VERDICT: Definitely make the veggie tray. It's nearly half the price. You get twice as many veggies and you can buy more of a variety, like tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers.
GUACAMOLE
■ 2 Avocados $2 Premade
■ Guacamole dip mix $.98 guacamole
Total with tax: $3.21 for $4.59
VERDICT: Make it. It's fresher and cheaper.
QUESO DIP ESSENTIALS FOR LESS THAN $16
Hy-Vee is offering a steal this week. If you buy a two pound brick of Velveeta cheese and two cans of Rotel you can get a $6 coupon for a 1.5 quart slow cooker valued at $9.99. The slow cooker is $3.99 with the coupon.
- Kraft Velvetta cheese $4.49
- Two cans Rotel tomatoes $.88 each
- Two bags of Hy-Vee Tostado Bites $1.17 each
- Ground beef $1.49
- Kitchen Selectives slow cooker $3.99 (with coupon)
Total with tax: $15.17
Here's how it breaks down:
16 homemade wings: $9.61
Homemade veggie tray: $8.99
Homemade guacamole: $3.21
Queso essentials with slower cooker coupon: $15.17
Salsa: $6.46
Total: $43.44
With $6.56 to spare, why not throw something else into the mix? Add breaded raviolis with marinara for $3.60 and have a little money left.
Goal accomplished.
*Excludes sale items. See kubookstores.com for a complete list of Crimson & Blue Days.
THE OFFICIAL BOOKSTORES OF KU
KU BOOKS
KANSAS UNION
BURGE UNION
EDWARDS CAMPUS
(785) 864-4640
kubookstores.com