Welcome to 5 O’Clock Somewhere, a series in which our network of culinary all-stars share their favorite drinks—along with everything you need to serve them in style.

I’ll be honest: The only football team I’ve ever cared about enough to follow is the New York Giants, and given their performance over the past few years…let’s just say I haven’t really had a reason to keep up with the sport at all.

But no matter my current level of interest in the league itself, one thing I can always get behind is a game day watch party. I’ll take any excuse to gather friends, eat snacks, drink beer, and be merry, especially when I can do it all from the comfort of my own living room. What better way to spend one of the coldest months of the year?

If you, like me, are plotting a playoff or Super Bowl bash for the coming weeks, I have a few words of advice as the longtime designated hostess of my friend group—the main one being that you should feel entitled to make things as easy as possible for yourself. Thinking through your party setup with intention beforehand and eliminating anything that requires you to spend active time in the kitchen instead of on the couch means that after kickoff, the only things left to stress about will be yard lines and touchdowns. Batched cocktails, canned drinks, make-ahead hors d’oeuvres, and store-bought snacks are your friends, as are durable, dishwasher-safe plates and cups that you’ll be able to reuse next season.

Read on for everything you’ll want to stock up on before the big game, plus some recipe ideas that may just become your new go-tos.

A swiggable batched cocktail

While my typical drink of choice is a dirty martini, in my mind, a game day drink should be something you can take big gulps of out of a large sturdy cup—not something served in a dainty coupe you’re bound to spill the second someone scores a touchdown. This beergarita from associate director of drinks and lifestyle Joseph Hernandez is the ultimate refresher to help wash down salty snacks, and it comes together in a pitcher, which means you won’t have to play bartender. Set up a salt rimming station and let your guests have at it.

…And a durable pitcher and glasses to serve it in

A game day party can (and should) get rowdy, so leave the delicate borosilicate glass carafe on its shelf and opt instead for this plastic pitcher from West Elm. Disposable cups may be the most practical option for a large party, but for a small to medium-size gathering, consider picking up a few sets of these colorful dishwasher-safe tumblers from Tossware, which you can reuse at your next party.

A crowd-pleasing non-alc option

No party is complete without a nonalcoholic option, especially when that party falls during Dry January. “Consumer behavior has fundamentally shifted,” says Peter Camps, Quality and Education Manager and Brewmaster at Heineken USA. “Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, prioritize a more balanced lifestyle, and are demanding premium, authentic tasting nonalcoholic products, forcing category-wide innovation,” he explains.

What does this mean for your game day party? Your sober-curious friends will appreciate a selection of non-alc drinks that extends beyond just soda and seltzer, especially a game day favorite like beer.

The world of NA beers is vast, but for game day, I like to go with something that feels nostalgic. While some nonalcoholic beers are brewed using innovative yeasts to stop alcoholization from ever happening, Heineken 0.0 is made using the same proprietary yeast strain that gives the original its characteristic taste, which means you get the same familiar mouthfeel and taste without any of the booze. “The alcohol is removed through gentle vacuum distillation at low temperatures, preserving its full, balanced, fruity flavor,” Camps says. Pair the non-alc beer with a zero-proof cocktail to guarantee there’ll be an option for everyone.

Easy-to-make homemade treats and hors d’oeuvres

As for the menu, I like to opt for a mix of apps that are hearty enough to count as dinner and snacks you can stress eat by the handful when the game gets down to the wire. Choose recipes that are either hands-off or can be made ahead of time and heated when guests arrive. If you’re planning on air-frying wings, fries or zucchini sticks, this model from Instant will allow you to check their progress at a glance so you can keep your attention on the game.

…Plus some not-your-average store-bought snacks

Lighten your load by adding some elevated store-bought snacks into the mix. I’ve tried more tortilla chip brands than I can count, and Masa is my current favorite. I like that the chips are sturdy enough to hold up to any dip and they come in fun flavors like cobanero and lime. Pair them with a trio of salsas from La Fundidora, which taste so fresh your guests may think you made them yourself.

Reusable plates you won’t have to worry about

I’d never suggest using ceramic plates in a football watch party setting (they’re too prone to shattering and might feel too formal), but the alternative doesn’t have to be disposable. A set of lightweight, dishwasher-safe melamine plates feels more thoughtful (and less wasteful) than paper or single-use plastic, and you can often find them in fun colors or patterns to fit your vibe. These will come in handy come outdoor entertaining season too.

A portable crudités platter (if someone else is hosting!)

Headed to someone else’s place to watch the game? These slim containers are perfect for transporting crudités platters or charcuterie boards. They have a stretchy puncture-resistant lid that acts like plastic wrap to keep everything secure.

Read more stories from Bon Appétit

• 33 Pieces of Unique Glassware to Up Your Dinner Party Style
• Everything You Need to Set Up a Nonalcoholic Bar, From Spirits to Shakers
• 59 Super Bowl Appetizers That’ll Score Big on Game Day