The annual tradition of opposing mayors making a Super Bowl bet is taking place once again. This year, Mayors Mike Bloomberg of New York City and Thomas Menino of Boston made it a little more interesting, as the gamblers say, by putting together prize packages for one lucky family in the opposing team's respective hometown. If the Patriots win, four people get to live it up in New York City, and vice versa if the Giants are victorious.

The problem is that the prizes -- how should we put this -- suck. They suck as bad as the Super Bowl games used to in the 1980s. A Duck Tour ride? Four tickets to the Phantom of the Opera? As the old joke goes, what's second prize? Eight tickets? These gifts are the kind that appeal only to the fanny-pack brigade and characters looking for that one last shot at love in whatever holiday rom-com Gary Marshall belches up this year.

Yes, there are appealing things in each package, but the whole thing feels like it was put together by the "Corporate Committee to Show You Things You Probably Already Know About." The selections don't capture the unique entrepreneurial places and experiences that make Boston and New York City great -- or boost the small businesses that are the core of these cities' character.

We've decided to rectify the situation by letting our imagination run wild and proposing our ideal revamp of the bets. And while we didn't throw in anything as glamorous as a photo op with the mayor (what's second prize? Two photos?), we think the winners of our theoretical Super Bowl bet -- and local entrepreneurs -- would have a whole lot more fun if Bloomberg and Menino took these suggestions to heart.

If the Giants win:

If the Patriots win: