Crisp fall / winter air meets the anticipatory buzz of an upcoming game: It's tailgating time!
According to Webster, tailgating is a social gathering in which food and drinks are served at or near the back end of a parked vehicle (such as a pickup truck) that usually occurs in a parking lot before or after a public event (such a football game or concert). For us, watching college football brings back fond memories of our youth, while Super Bowl brings all the laughs and nostalgia with family and friends. We believe every now and then, an NFL game first down showcases the indomitable human spirit.
PS – If you’re new to the game of football or unfamiliar with the rules, we would highly recommend learning the basics here.
Any seasoned tailgater will tell you it’s best to plan ahead. Packing a portable grill? Don’t forget the tongs and spatula. Carrying in some coolers? Be sure to bring lots of packaged Reddy Ice. Expecting guests? Grab a folding table and portable chairs. This is what separates the superfans from the fairweathers.
Remember, no proper tailgate party is complete without these three necessities:
Plan to arrive four hours before the game starts. Then eat two hours before the game so you have plenty of time to set up and clean up.
We’ve done some research and learned tailgating hacks that will make you popular among your friends and guests. Here are a few of our favorites.
Pack Your cooler the right way – drinks on the bottom – layer of ice over that – bagged foods and food in containers on top of the ice – leave little to no room for warm air.
Infographic courtesy - buzzfeed
It is equally important to keep some food warm at a tailgate party. You can do this by using an insulated food carrier or portable hot food bag. If you are lucky enough to find a power source in your tailgating spot, you can bring your own small portable oven.
A common problem you’ll run into is needing to get a warm pack of beverages cold immediately. Submerge them in ice, of course, but also pour some water over the ice after that. Then add some salt. There’s a lot of physics that goes into this that we won’t explain but trust us, it works. You can make the process even faster by stirring the cans around in the icy water. We got this idea from MacGyver.
In lieu of a cooler, get a case of your favorite drinks, empty it and line it with two garbage bags (so it doesn't leak), then put the drinks back in and add ice. Afterwards, you can recycle the whole thing.
We love this idea from buzzfeed.
After filling the coolers with bags of cubed ice or block ice, cover them with a white blanket to reflect the sun and prevent ice from melting.
Mix up a few pitchers of cocktails the night before, and then pour them into mason jars for single servings. They can go right in the cooler full of ice with the beer and soda! We love this idea from The Chic Site.
Top compartment |
Middle compartment |
Bottom drawer |
spatulas |
trash bags |
condiments |
bottle openers |
paper towels |
spices |
tongs |
wet wipes |
seasonings |
can opener |
hand sanitizer |
Plastic cutlery (spoons, forks, knives) |
toothpicks |
sunscreen |
|
wooden skewers |
first aid kit |
|
basting brush |
poncho |
|
mini flashlight |
plastic zip bags |
|
|
Sharpie |
|
|
masking tape |
|
Photo courtesy of abc.go.com
If tailgating is part of your life these plastic drawers are lifesavers. Keep them filled with napkins, plastic cutlery, koozies, etc. This is basically for all the bulky items that you don’t keep in your tailgating toolbox.
Idea source - wgno
Photo by Unoriginalmom.
Fill a six-pack holder with your favorite hot sauces and other condiments. These are easy to transport and carry to and from your tailgate, and keep the ketchup, mustard, and all your favorite sauces conveniently together.
Idea courtesy - buzzfeed
Photo courtesy of pinterest.com
One thing that you always need but never have when tailgating is a place to wash your hands. This one’s an easy fix. Just rinse out an empty laundry detergent dispenser, fill it with water and you’ve got the perfect hand washing station.
For your guests’ super convenience, you can even attach a paper towel roll.
Courtesy - diyncrafts
Love this idea by buzzfeed.
Grab a pop-up hamper and stick a trash bag inside it! Better yet, grab two and use one for trash and one for recycling. Smart idea!
Idea source - Unoriginalmom.
Whether you are planning for a Super Bowl tailgate party, Dallas Cowboys tailgate party or hosting any other tailgating event, these ideas will make your job a lot easier. Watch this video by The List Show TV for a live demo of these tailgating tips:
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Is0C-Gp0A&feature=youtu.be
Hope these tips will help you score a Tailgating Touchdown! GAME ON!