The tradition of tailgating before a sports game is beloved all over the country, but you don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy it. While some people are at a tailgate to root for the home team, others are there for the atmosphere.
To throw a tailgate that everyone will enjoy, there are certain tailgating essentials that you have to have on hand. Below, we’re sharing the tailgating tips that will take your game day to the next level. Read on to learn more!
1. Show Up Early
If you plan to host your tailgate in a popular area, you want to make sure that you get a good spot with enough room for all your friends. Recruit a few friends to wake up early with you, and show up before the crowd.
2. Do Prep Work at Home
Grilling out and setting up tables of food is part of what makes tailgating so fun. That being said, you don’t want to spend all your time cutting onions and chopping garlic. Prep as much food as possible the night before and pack all your prepared ingredients in food storage containers.
3. Make Ice That Does Double Duty
One of the best tailgating ideas is to freeze water bottles to use as ice packs in your coolers. They’ll keep all your food and drinks cool, and as they start to melt, will provide everyone with cold water to drink. On a hot tailgate day, that will definitely come in handy.
4. Bring Party Favors
Party Favors that your friends can keep are a great way to guarantee that your tailgate is one they’ll remember! Koozies are a great option because they’ll be useful right away! Your friends can use them at the tailgate to keep drinks cold, and take them with them when they go.
Shop now to get ideas for custom koozies to commemorate your tailgate.
5. Pack Extra Essentials
When it comes to the tailgating essentials like paper plates, plastic utensils, and cups, you can never have too many. Because tailgates are so casual, it’s hard to get an accurate headcount. Your friends are likely to bring their friends, and before you know it, the crowd has grown.
If you want to have enough for everyone, pack more than you think you’ll need.
6. Make Yourself Visible
Because popular tailgate areas tend to get crowded, you want to make it easy for your friends to find you among the masses. Fly a large balloon above your car or hang a flag or banner. Anything that can serve as a reference point will be helpful when trying to describe your location.
7. Put Together a Playlist
Having background music at a tailgate is a great way to get everyone in a festive mood. Put together a playlist of songs that you know everyone will love. Since it is a game day, you could even throw in a recording of your team’s cheer or your school’s fight song.
8. Keep Things Simple
It’s always fun to impress your friends with your culinary skills, but that’s not what a tailgate is about. Keep the food and drinks menu simple by sticking to tailgate necessities like hot dogs and burgers. The fewer ingredients you have to keep track of, the easier prep and clean-up will be.
9. Get Some Help
When your friends ask what they can do to help you out on game day, don’t be shy. You don’t need to delegate every task, but ask a few people to bring trash bags and a few others to help with drinks. They’ll be happy to contribute, and it will make it easier on you.
Ready to Try Out These Tailgating Tips?
Being the host of a tailgate can be a lot of work, but it should also be a lot of fun. The tailgating tips here make it easy to host a game day celebration that you and all your friends will enjoy. Go team!
For more information about putting together the perfect party, please contact us at any time.
