6 Ways to Upgrade Your Holiday Sports Experience

This year more than ever, sports have acted as a much-needed form of escapism for enthusiasts nationwide. And with a wide array of events on the docket for the end of this month, it’s a good idea to plan ahead to ensure you catch every moment you’ve been anticipating. To make sure you create the best sports viewing set-up this holiday season, we compiled six tried-and-true ways to elevate your holiday sports experience.

There’s just something about a chilled glass bottle. Whether you’re drinking a beer, soda or seltzer, opt for the better choice of a glass bottle. It may not seem like much, but when you pop open a crispy one and settle in for kickoff, you’ll thank us. You can’t beat the effect of sipping from a chilly bottleneck, letting the beverage pique all of your senses as you relax on your couch.

Although the temptation to order takeout is totally understandable, use this extended time at home as great opportunity to put your cooking skills to the test. I mean, you could order some wings, but wouldn’t it be more gratifying to do it all yourself? Regardless of your expertise, there’s no beating the satisfaction of something you made yourself.

You may not be able to go to a friend’s house for the big games this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to watch alone. Using Zoom, FaceTime or any of the video conferencing services (Houseparty, anyone?), set up a call with your fellow sports fans so you can talk trash, mourn your team’s loss or celebrate their victory—all from the safety of your own pod. Social distancing can be isolating but there are ways to feel connected, especially on game day.

For this, you’ll have to plan in advance. With all the holiday deals going on, now’s as good a time as ever to cop a new viewing chair, TV or anything else you may need to optimize your viewing setup. This might look different for everyone. Maybe all you need to create the perfect viewing experience is a cozy blanket. Whatever your preference may be, make sure you spend a little time getting your home viewing layout positively perfect for the lengthy viewing sessions ahead.

From the NFL to the NBA, there are a lot of games on your agenda for the holiday season. If you’re a die-hard fan who wants to see everything on your docket, it’s a good idea to build out a schedule ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss a beat. You’ll have to make some tough decisions—prioritizing certain games over others—but you can always call an audible on the day of. Regardless, make sure you have an idea of what channels your TV will be tuned to and when so you can catch every second of the action.

This one is easily overlooked. 2020 has been a tumultuous year, unlike anything we’ve seen before. However, from the UFC to the NBA Bubble, sports have been a pseudo return to normalcy through it all. It may seem obvious, but remember to be grateful for the opportunities we have to live life how we used to. Even something as simple as flipping on the TV to watch the "Greek Freak" dunk from the free-throw line can provide an immense amount of comfort.