Tailgating Tips and Tricks! {10 Genius Ideas}

A BIG thank you to The Rolling Table for sponsoring today’s post: Tailgating Tips and Tricks!

These Tailgating Tips and Tricks will help you kickstart game day with the ultimate pre-game party!

Whether you’re planning a fabulous tailgate party on a hot Fall game day, or wondering what to serve at your tailgate on a chilly Winter game day, I’ve got you covered!

Here’s what you need to do to make your tailgating party unforgettable…

Tailgating Tips and Tricks

How Do I Have a Fun Tailgate?

A fantastic tailgate all comes down to five simple things…

• The Right Location
• Good Food
• Fun Entertainment
• Sturdy Table
• Comfortable Seating

Now that you know the essentials, learn how to take your tailgate party to the next level with these creative Tailgating Tips and Tricks…

#1: Pack Up Your Essentials The Night Before

Game day can feel a little busy, so be sure to take a few minutes to pack up your party essentials the night before. Allowing yourself extra time to pack will also give yourself plenty of time to think of things you might have forgotten. Just don’t forget to pack the following…

• Napkins
• Disposable Cups, Plates, Bowls, and Utensils
• Hand Sanitizer
• Grill {and propane or lighter}
• Grilling Utensils
• Car Power Inverter {for Crockpots & Electric Grills}
• Paper Towels
• Table and Chairs
• Trash Bags
• Wipes

#2: How to Find the Perfect Tailgate Spot

Once you arrive to the stadium, it’s time to secure the perfect parking spot! Here are some things to consider…

• Park near a tree for shade from the sun or protection from the rain
• Don’t park too close to the port-a-potties. Trust me… wafting smells don’t mix with tasty food. I’ve been there, done that, and am still not over it. 🙂
• Keep some distance between parties blaring loud music.
• You can even try to Google the parking lot and study the layout the night before.
• Once you arrive, text your friends to let them know your location so they can find you faster.

#3: Arrive About 4 Hours Before Kickoff

A party isn’t a party if you’re feeling rushed, right? So arrive several hours before kickoff to allow yourself plenty of time to set up, relax, enjoy the meal and conversation, and pack everything back up before the game starts.

#4: Fire up the Grill As Soon As You Get There

If hamburgers, hot dogs, or some other delicious grilled meats or veggies are on your menu, fire up your grill right away! Your grill will need plenty of time to cool down before the game starts, so be sure to get the grill going sooner than later.

#5: Load Up Your Coolers with Fun Drinks on Ice!

Even if it’s chilly out, you’ll still want some cool drinks and water bottles on hand. Load up your cooler with drinks and ice before you leave home, and allow guests to serve themselves drinks straight from the cooler.

#6: Fill Your Thermoses, Too!

So what do thermoses do? Well, it’s simple… they’ll keep cold liquids cold and hot liquids hot! Growing up, I attended the University of Washington Husky Football home games every year with my family. Being in Seattle, we frequently got drenched with rain, and pretty chilly, too. My grandparents always had their thermoses filled with hot coffee to warm up before the game started. Smart, isn’t it?

Here are some more delicious things to fill your thermoses with…

• Apple Cider
• Coffee
• Hot Cocoa
• Soup
• Sweet Tea

#7: The Best Tailgate Food to Bring…

When it comes to tailgating, easy-to-eat finger foods are always a winner! Consider trying some of these easy Tailgating Food Ideas…

• Chili in the Crockpot
• Chips {Potato & Tortilla}
• Salsa
• Hot and Cold Dips
• Parmesan Ranch Chex Mix
• Individually Wrapped Candy {avoid melting candy if it’s hot}
• Brownies {Use a cookie cutter to shape like footballs}
• Fresh Baked Cookies
• Deviled Eggs
• Potato Salad
• BBQ Bacon Ranch Baked Beans
• Hamburgers
• Hot Dogs
• BBQ Coca Cola Ribs
• Pulled Pork
• Sliders {try Hawaiian Rolls, Cold Cuts, and Cheese Slices}
• Condiments

Bringing warm food along in your crockpot is so simple, too! Simply plug in a power inverter to your car’s power outlet, plug your Crockpot in, and set it to the ‘Warm’ or ‘Low’ setting to keep your food warm all throughout the party. Just make sure that the wattage of your Crockpot or other electrical appliances does not exceed what your power inverter can handle.

#8: Bring Along some Tailgate Decorations

Now that you know how to find the perfect tailgating spot and what types of food to bring along, it’s time to plan out some fun decorations for the event! Always think football theme or team colors when planning out your tailgate decor.

Following are some of my favorite tailgating decorations to consider bringing along…

• Cheerleading Pom Poms
• Felt Boards with fun sayings
• Foam Fingers
• Football
• Football Themed Serving Dishes
• Hanging Banners
• Mylar Balloons
• Silk Flowers for a pop of color

#9: Don’t Forget the Games!

Games make every party more fun… even tailgate parties! That’s why you’ll want to pack along some fun games like…

• Cards
• Cornhole
• Jenga
• Frisbee
• Ladder Toss
• Ring Toss
• Washers
• … and don’t forget a Football!

#10: Keep it Easy With a Rolling Table and Chairs!

So now that you’re ready to party… it’s time to find the perfect table and chairs! My top pick is definitely The Rolling Table!

What’s The Rolling Table? It’s simple! It’s a 2-in-1 folding and rolling table that makes tailgating and transporting your table SO much easier!

Now you can roll your table and chairs instead of carrying them. Then set up your table, retract the wheels up and out of the way, and get that party started! When it’s time to go, you can deploy the wheels, fold the table back up, and roll it with ease back over to your car. You can even rest chairs on the folded table when rolling, too!

Here’s what I love about The Rolling Table…

• Sturdy Table with Heavy Duty Steel Legs & Frame
• Compact Foldable Table with Retractable Handle
• All-Terrain Retractable Wheels
• Comfortable Chairs
• Classic Color Choices – Black, White, or Red
• Easy to Clean with a damp cloth & mild detergent
• Chairs fit on Folded Table for Ease of Transport
• Table and Chairs Roll Easily to your Destination!

I just love the stunning design of the Honeycomb Chairs, too!

In addition to being light weight and commercial grade, they’re SO comfortable and elegant!

In addition to tailgating, The Rolling Table and Honeycomb Chairs are perfect for birthday parties, showers, weddings, holiday gatherings, swap meets, farmer’s markets, camping, beach days and more!

So what are you waiting for? Go learn more and get yours here!

So what are YOUR favorite Tailgating Tips and Tricks?

Leave a comment & share!