Fall is approaching, which means football season is too! And if football season is here, then it is time to tailgate. If you enjoy tailgating before the big game, you are probably wondering how to make your festivities even more spectacular. Take a look below at these 10 tailgating tips so you can throw a bash that is touchdown worthy!
1. Create Stations
Create sections in your party for easy organization. You should have a food prep area, food station, drink station, rest area, and play area. This way there isn’t chaos among guests as they try to have a good time. Stations can easily be divided by placing one station per card table.
2. Bring Games and Entertainment
Bring a basket that includes a football or two, some decks of cards, and other easy entertainment. This will keep guests busy while you wait for the game to begin. The basket also makes for easy travel and easy clean up. Corn hole is another super popular tailgate game that usually comes with a carrying case so it’s easy to transport. You can make a personalized football to commemorate the season, too.
3. Keep Food Simple
Opt for finger foods that guests won’t need silverware for. Fruit skewers, meat and cheese skewers, and even grilled veggie skewers are so easy. Crackers, hummus, nuts, chips, and my amazing homemade chip dip are also great options for eating and snacking on the go. Make Oreo balls in your favorite team colors for a festive and fun dessert.
4. Provide Cover
A pop up tent is always nice for providing some overhead cover. Here in Vegas it’s still really hot when football season begins and shade is needed in a parking lot. Of course, by the time the season ends it could be raining – or snowing in some parts of the country – and the tent provides a dry spot just in case. Most of these can be set up in just minutes and are well worth investing in.
5. Bring Festive Décor
Print out these football snack boxes for snacks or just to use as decorations. My football field table runner is super easy to make with just some felt, glue and ribbon. Gluing some football themed napkins to brown ribbon makes a quick bunting banner. Adding a few lines of white tape to brown balloons makes some quick football balloons. Or buy self-inflating football balloons and stick them in a vase or cups. Use these ideas and some of your own to make your own easy and cheap football themed décor.
6. Bring the Tunes
You can stream music right on your phone via Pandora or Spotify to a portable speaker, and enjoy everything from classic rock to marching band music. This is a great way to add another layer of personality to the tailgate.
7. Set Up a Mini Bar
Set up a well stocked mini bar for guests to serve themselves. Make sure you have plenty of ice (a festive ice bucket could be fun) as well as ice tongs and garnishes such as cut lemons, limes, and olives. You can even include dishes of homemade spiced nuts by the beverages for guests to snack on. When the weather turns cooler, use a slow cooker to keep a batch of Apple Cider Bourbon Whiskey Cocktail warm and allow guests to serve themselves.
8. Show Your Team Spirit
Try to incorporate the team colors into your paper products such as your napkins, plates, and cups. This is an easy way to add color and show off the team you are cheering for. Check out this great tailgating list I made for Michigan fans and find similar items for your favorite team.
9. Don’t Forget the Dollar Store
Find Mardi Gras necklaces in the team colors, mini footballs for decorating, tin trays for food serving, and even snacks and paper products at your local dollar store. This is a great way to stock up on the items you need for less.
10. Don’t Forget the Blankets
Blankets provide additional areas for eating and game playing, and can also come in handy should the weather get chilly. Have some camp blankets or stadium blankets on hand for these and other instances where you may need them.
Throw the best tailgate ever when you give these ten tips for a terrific tailgate a try!