Life

March Madness 2017 Gonzaga-Themed Party Ideas

by Kiersten Hickman

Everyone loves a good underdog story, and Gonzaga University has for-sure seen some Cinderella moments during the 2017 March Madness tournament. Officially in the final four, Gonzaga is starting to actually imagine what it would look like to win it all, and you can be a part of that story with these March Madness Gonzaga-themed party ideas for their next big game.

According to FOX Sports, Gonzaga University’s Men's Basketball Team was consistently known for the past 20 years as the “little engine that couldn’t.” The bulldogs’ ascension into the Final Four, after defeating the Xavier Musketeers 83 to 59 on Saturday, Mar. 25, has been a surprising one if that. So if you’re not the biggest basketball fan, or your favorite team has been booted from the tournament, then root for the underdog!

Gonzaga will be playing South Carolina (another underdog to root for, so choose wisely!) on Saturday, Apr. 1 in Phoenix a little after 6 p.m. EST. Oregon and UNC’s game will follow two hours later, around 8:45 p.m. EST. If Gonzaga wins, they will be playing in the championship game on Monday, Apr. 3. So if things go well on the court, you could be throwing two Gonzaga themed parties. Which means your party-planning game better be strong with possible back-to-back shindigs. Just keep in mind, if you choose to root for Gonzaga, their colors are patriotic... which means planning out a party could be as simple as pulling out all of your Memorial Day or Fourth of July decorations early. Just saying.

Here are more Gonzaga party ideas including decorations, apparel, and most importantly, food.

Decorations:

‘Zags’ Shirt

‘Zags’ Shirt, $29.99, Amazon

Make sure to have your ‘Zags’ shirt on if you’re routing for the team!

Streamers

Streamers, $8.99, Etsy

Deck out your place in Gonzaga colors with these streamers!

Gonzaga Bulldogs Pennant

Gonzaga Bulldogs Pennant, $5.95, College Flags & Banners

It is a college game after all! Get a classic pennant to hang over the couch as you watch the game.

Gonzaga Printable Flags

Gonzaga Printable Flags, $3.00, Etsy

Or purchase these printable flags to douse the walls with!

Red, White & Blue Balloons

Balloons (10ct), $2.00, Amazon

No party isn’t a party without balloons, right?

Tablecloths

Tablecloth, $5.77, Amazon

Cover your food table with this tablecloth to keep your surface clean from that queso dip!

Red, White & Blue Straws

Straws (24 ct), $3.99, Amazon

Sip on your cocktails and mocktails with these festive straws. Bonus points if you have some mason jars, or other fun drinking glasses!

Basketball Whirls

Basketball Whirls, $5.70, Amazon

Give your party a basketball flair by hanging a few of these around your place.

Basketball Photo Booth Kit

Basketball Photo Booth Kit, $19.99, Amazon

Never can go wrong with a photo booth, am I right?

Food

Slow Cooker Cocktail Meatballs

Everyone loves meatballs! Especially if they’ve been sitting in a delicious sauce in the slow cooker all day with this recipe by Mom on Timeout.

Bacon Ciabatta Crostini with Pimento Cheese and Candied Jalapeños

Get a little gourmet with your food display by making this crostini by How Sweet Eats.

Pretzel Rolls (With Sandwich Fixings!)

Make these homemade pretzel rolls by How Sweet Eats and put together a buffet of sandwich fixings for people to make their very own sliders!

Sparkling Blue Mocktail

For those who would rather not get boozy during the game, try this blue mocktail by What’s Cooking Love.

Red, White & Blue Drink

Patriotic? Well, yes. Gonzaga colors? Again, yes! This red, white and blue cocktail by Mel’s Kitchen will work perfectly for game day festivities.

Baked Cream Cheese Wontons

Love crab rangoons, but don’t feel like ordering food for the game? These cream cheese wontons by Damn Delicious will satisfy that craving!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Tacos are always the right answer. Recipe by Taste and Tell.

Oven Fried Pickles

Who says fried pickles can’t be made at home? Make your favorite bar snack for the game with Food Fanatic!

Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip

Because Gonzaga has blue colors, and this is blue cheese. Get it? Eh, even if you don’t, people will love this recipe by Food Fanatic.