Super Bowl Sunday, sometimes referred to as Super Sunday, is the Sunday on which the Super Bowl

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...

 is played. Typically occurring in late January or early February, it is considered a de facto

De facto

De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...

national holiday in the United States. On Super Bowl Sunday many people gather to watch the Super Bowl. Such gatherings are known for the large amount of food that is consumed by attendees.

Festivities

As the most watched annual television program in the United States, a significant portion of the country follows the same routine on Super Bowl Sunday. Although it has never been made an official holiday, many commentators refer to it as a holiday due to the way it causes families and friends to gather and celebrate together. Many Americans who are not typically football fans will still gather and watch the game. Stores are often empty during the game, particularly in the regions represented by the two teams playing in the Super Bowl. Although sports bars have been busy on Super Bowl Sunday in the past, it is becoming more common for people to view the game from home. This is due in part to the increasing size of home televisions in the United States as well as the attempts of budget conscious consumers to save money. Expatriate Americans often hold gatherings abroad, although due to the time difference the events occur overnight in some areas.

Some commentators have applauded the idea of making Super Bowl Sunday a national holiday, citing its ability to unite Americans of different races, religions, and economic classes. It has even been characterized as a "holy day" for secular Americans. In recent years, NFL executives have called for a three day weekend in order to allow fans to celebrate the event. Some NFL fans find Super Bowl Sunday depressing, however, if their favorite team was eliminated from the NFL Playoffs.

Churches sometimes cancel their afternoon or evening services for Super Bowl Sunday. Others hold football-themed charity drives or deliver sermons designed to appeal to male members of the congregation. Some churches host Super Bowl viewing parties, and evangelize during halftime.

Food

Large amounts of food are consumed on Super Bowl Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday is the second–largest day of food consumption in the United States after Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...

. Large amounts of alcohol are consumed during the Super Bowl as well, and some police departments have noticed a dramatic increase in drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday.

Rather than a sit–down dinner, on Super Bowl Sunday food is usually served buffet

Buffet

A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners generally serve themselves. Buffets are offered at various places including hotels and many social events...

 style. Foods that are traditionally eaten on Super Bowl Sunday include buffalo wings, pizza, chili

Chili con carne

Chili con carne is a spicy stew. The name of the dish derives from the Spanish chile con carne, "chili pepper with meat". Traditional versions are made, minimally, from chili peppers, garlic, onions, and cumin, along with chopped or ground beef. Beans and tomatoes are frequently included...

, potato chip

Potato chip

Potato chips are thin slices of potato that are deep fried...

s, and dipping sauces

Dip (food)

A dip or dipping sauce is a common condiment for many types of food. Dips are used to add flavor and/or texture to a food, such as pita bread, dumplings, crackers, cut-up raw vegetables, seafood, cubed pieces of meat and cheese, potato chips, tortilla chips, and falafel...

. Many pizza delivery businesses see their amount of orders double because pizza comprises roughly sixty percent of the take out ordered on Super Bowl Sunday. Roughly 29000000 pounds (13,154,178.7 kg) of chips, 90,000,000 chicken wings, and 8000000 pounds (3,628,739 kg) of guacamole

Guacamole

Guacamole , is an avocado-based dip that originated in Mexico. It is traditionally made by mashing ripe avocados with a molcajete with sea salt. Some recipes call for limited tomato, spicy Asian spices such as white onion, lime juice, and/or additional seasonings.-History:Guacamole was made by...

are consumed in the United States on Super Bowl Sunday.