Question by escapeinthepalms: Tailgating tips- What are some tailgating tips or unique ideas for tailgating?
I would love to hear tips that make a tailgating experience easier, more enjoyable, or more interesting. Please no references to websites, I have looked up this subject on the web myself. I am asking for your personal tips and ideas.
Best answer:
Answer by Erika
Tailgating Tips From The Pros
Here are the best tips from professional tailgaters on how to throw the perfect tailgate party yourself, as well as tips to help you become the ultimate tailgater:
Make a Tailgating Checklist
To ensure nothing gets left at home, make a list of things you need to take to the tailgate party. Be sure to put your game tickets on the list too!
Have a Tailgating Theme
Think up a creative theme for your tailgate. If it’s Thanksgiving, bring a turkey. If it’s Christmas, bring a tree. Or, base your theme and decorations on the opponent. For example, you might have Cajun food against the Saints, Philly cheese steaks against the Eagles, or fish against the Dolphins.
Dress for the Occasion
Dress appropriately for several hours outdoors — and be prepared for drastic temperature changes.
And don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes.
Show Some Tailgating Team Spirit
Show your team spirit… Wear team colors. Tailgaters are usually the biggest and best fans! After all, to become the ultimate tailgater, you’ll want to stir up some tailgater’s envy!
Timing is Everything
Get there early. You’ll want to arrive 3-4 hours before game time to beat the crowd and claim your turf. And, plan to stay late so as to not miss a moment of the post-game enthusiasm.
Location, Location, Location
Set up your tailgate party near a grassy area, or bring a roll of Astroturf to set up at the end of the row — for a more comfortable atmosphere with lots of room to socialize. Parking at the end of a row can also give you more partying space.
Tailgating in Parking Lots
Serious tailgaters choose a parking lot that has a view of the stadium if on-site parking is not available. Since the stadium is your Mecca, you need to be able to see it so you can bow to it occasionally.
Mark Your Spot At The Tailgating Party
A flag or team pennant on a tall pole helps people locate the party and makes a statement of team spirit.
Seating Arrangements
Don’t worry about bringing chairs for everyone. Those who want to sit will bring their own chairs.
Generating Power
Serious tailgaters bring a small generator for powering a TV, stereo system or electric space heater during cold weather games.
Timing the Eats
Make sure your food is ready 1 to 2 hours before game time, so you have enough time to eat, clean up and find your seat in the stadium.
Put out the Fire
If you’re using a charcoal grill, bring along extra water to douse the embers and a plastic garbage bag to put the cold coals in.
Be Smokey’s Best Friend
Make sure that you have some way of extinguishing and throwing away your hot coals. Whatever you do, dispose of firewood or charcoal briquettes properly. Some stadiums have a designated place for hot ashes, but do not dump them in the grass or in trash bins.
Garbage In, Garbage Out
Bring your own lawn-size trash bags, because there never seem to be enough garbage receptacles on hand.
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The next time you plan to tailgate, here are some tips for you to remember:
Select food that can either be cooked ahead and transported to the event, or cooked there on a grill.
Follow food safety precautions when it comes to transporting food. Keep cold food cold (40 degrees or lower) and hot food hot (140 degrees and above) to avoid food poisoning.
If you plan to bring alcoholic beverages, check with the stadium first to make sure it’s permitted.
Don’t forget to bring bottle openers and corkscrews, if necessary.
At the very minimum you’ll need a large, heavy cloth on which to spread out the food. All the better if you can bring a table to go under the cloth.
Pack disposable plates and cups. Who wants to do the dishes after having so much fun?
Be prepared to clean up after yourself. That includes putting any leftovers you plan to keep in cold storage, throwing away your trash in available trash cans or bags that you’ve brought along, and safely dispose of any hot coals from your grill. Don’t leave a hot grill unattended if you’re heading in to the event.
Bring paper towels or wet wipes to help with clean-up before, during and after your tailgate.
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How to Throw a Tailgate Party
1.Put on every bit of clothing you own with your team’s insignia on it. You cannot go overboard here. Face paint in your team’s colors is always a nice touch.
2.Decorate your truck, van or sports utility vehicle (see “How To Decorate Your Vehicle for a Tailgate Party”), making sure to put a flag on your antennae so that your friends can find you.
3.Pack your ice chest with lots of hamburgers and hotdogs to grill, buns and condiments (see “How to Pack for a Tailgate Party”) along with plenty of beer. If it is cold, you may want to make a batch of tailgate tumblers (see “How To Make A Tailgate Tumbler”) before you leave and bring them along in a thermos.
4.Pack your BBQ grill, charcoal, lighter fluid and spatula. If you really want to show off your team spirit, you can get a helmet grill or NFL cooler with your team’s logo on it.
5.Order a party-in-a-box, including plates, napkins, cups, cover and snack bowl, with your team’s insignia on it
6.Bring a portable radio, and set it up on top of your vehicle so that you can hear pregame interviews or keep track of the other games going on.
7.Bring a portable radio, and set it up on top of your vehicle so that you can hear pregame interviews or keep track of the other games going on.
8.After a few drinks, wander around until you find John Madden’s bus – wave and yell, “Hi, John,” at the tinted windows.
Tips
1.Prepack your ice chest and cooler as much as possible the night before to save time when you’re heading out for the game in the morning.
2.If the forecast calls for rain, pack up your patio table with the big umbrella. You don’t want to let a little weather ruin your party.
3.Just because you couldn’t get tickets to the game – or your team’s on the road ‘ doesn’t mean you can’t have a tailgate party at home. Park your truck in front of your house or in the driveway, and decorate every square inch of it. Drag your television (with a long extension cord) and chairs out onto the lawn.
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