The cool breeze at your back, smell of freshly-grilled BBQ and the sea of team-colored jerseys could only mean one thing, football season! Fire up those grills and pack those coolers full, because its time for tailgating! Don’t make your next tailgate a drab, fire it up with these four tailgating tips to make your game day a huge success.
Plan Ahead
A little simple planning can go a long way by setting aside ten minutes to decide what’s on your tailgate agenda. Decide what food, decorations and party supplies you’ll need for the big game day. If you’re going to the game, remember to pack a large table for food and supplies, store food in plasticware containers for easy access and bring clean up supplies. Are you going to make this a full out bash at home? Send football-inspired invitations. You can easily find personalized invitations online or make them yourself. Add that tailgating feel in your very own backyard by setting up your lawn chairs, decorations, tables, food and games. Also, check out your local party supplier for those essential gameday accessories for an easy setup. Planning ahead will make your gameday a cinch.
Game Day Decorations
A tailgate wouldn’t be complete without your favorite teams colors! Purchase plates, napkins, tablecloths and cups in your team’s colors to spice it up and let people know who you’re cheering on. Add a team flag or handmade sign to your tailgating area too. If you’re watching from home, add banners, string lights or football-themed decorations. Finding decorations is easy by checking out a local party decoration store or even making them yourself. Any decoration is sure to bring team spirit. Another big part of decorations is you! Get decked out in your team’s jersey, sport a team hat or even paint your face. Fun and creative decorations will turn your tailgate into a touchdown!
End Zone Entertainment
With hours to spare before the big game, why not get yourself pumped up with a little entertainment. Set up the radio to listen to the pregame show and don’t forget to bring a set of washers, horseshoes, bean bag, ladder ball, deck of cards or just toss the football back and forth. It’ll help pass time before the big game and bring a little rivalry fun with opposing fans. Whatever the entertainment choice, it’ll help you get pumped up for the big game!
GAME IDEAS
Washers – This game consists of two teams, some washers and two boxes with a can or cup in the middle. The two teams stand about 20 feet away from each other and take turns tossing washers for points. Toss the washer into the box for one point and into the can for three points. This is a fun outdoor game!
Bean Bag Toss – Players take turns tossing bean bags onto a fun decorative board with a hole cut in it. Toss it in the hole and it’s worth three points and on the board is worth one. The first player to 21 wins!
Ladder Ball – This multiplayer game consists of taking 3 ball bolas (A piece of rope with a ball tied to each end) and a ladder consisting of three steps worth different points. Each player stands about 15 feet away and tosses their bola towards the ladder to try and wrap it around the top, middle or bottom step. Again, each step is worth different points and the first player to 21 or wins!
The Main Attraction, Food!
Whether you’re in the action of it all at the game or in the comforts of your own home, food is what makes a tailgate a hit! The smell of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs are essential to any tailgate, but jazz them up a little bit by creating a burger bar. It’ll give tailgaters the chance to create the classics or try something new.
Get creative by making a football-shaped cheese ball or a football field cake; or warm up those chilly days with a crock pot full of chili, warm dips and hot wings. And if you want to save a little cash, then make it a potluck!
But why not go all out and hire a local party caterer for your tailgate. They’re sure to provide delicious food and make your day stress free. You can also create a sports-themed cake, custom cupcakes or even create a replica of your team’s mascot; tailgaters will be amazed by your team spirit. Check out your local bakery for your next sports inspired themed cake. Turn any basic tailgate food into a memorable treat to represent your team spirit.
With these simple tips, your next tailgate is sure to be a big success! So get ready to pack your coolers, fire up the grill and throw on that game day attire because your next tailgate is going to be a winning touchdown!
Photographs are courtesy of Nomdaicentrepreneur, Eekim, Chiot’s Run, Mattgrimm and Seven Twenty Five via Flickr.
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