How to Plan the Perfect Tailgate Party

The Super Bowl will be here before you know it. And attending a tailgate party before the big game has become a tradition for many. It is all about the food, the drinks, and your show of support for your favorite team. Some tailgate parties can be extravagant, while others are simple and to the point.

Are you planning a get-together to show support for your team?

Whether you are looking to tailgate at this game of champions in Minnesota or you are tailgating in your own backyard with your favorite buddies, you need to have a plan in order to have the perfect tailgate party. Check out these tailgating tips:

The tailgate party tent

Party tents are not mandatory but are much appreciated by everyone for many various reasons. First, tents can provide you and your friend’s coverage from the outdoor elements. Unless you live in one of the few tropical and warm southern states, most tailgating takes place in the fall and winter – meaning it may be cold and uncomfortable. Second, tents allow you to be spotted. In a crowd of tens of thousands of people tailgating outside of the stadium, it can be hard for you to let your friends know just where you are. However, if you have a customized tent, your friends will look across the horizon to spot you. And lastly, tents protect everything in it. It provides you with a designated space to keep your food and beverages safe, as well as any entertainment systems you set up.

Keep in mind that many tailgate party tents can be customized. That way you can get the exact tent for your needs. For instance, you can

• Choose to have flooring or no flooring.
• Choose a tent size that is the perfect fit. Tents come in all shapes and sizes and designs. In other words, there will likely be a big variance in size and look depending on if you are tailgating at the stadium or in your backyard.
• Choose whether you want your tent to have side walls or not. Side walls will help with protecting your gear and your buddies from outside weather.
• Choose to have your tent customized for your team colors, logo, name, etc.

The first step to setting up the perfect tailgate party would be to score the tent.

The food

Food at your tailgate party is a must. It’s part of the experience so your friends will be expecting to munch on some good stuff. Of course, you can choose to grill out some hot dogs and hamburgers and call it a day. But, that is not very exciting! Instead, why not throw together some delicious eats just for game day?

• Because it will likely be cold, soups, stews, and chilis make a great food choice. Plus, these can be made ahead of time – so you can enjoy yourself! Try making chili and cornbread in a jar!
• Finger sandwiches, gourmet burgers, a taco bar, and the like are also good, as they are filling for big appetites and easy to make and eat.
• Salsas and dips, as well as other appetizers, are great for munching while watching a game or mingling.

The drinks

Adult beverages are a staple at tailgating parties. In fact, when you think of tailgating events, you may even picture that one guy with the beer hat on chugging his beer through straws and dripping it down his jersey. So, sure, you can always provide your friends with a cooler containing a selection of beer. Or, you can get a little fancier.

Here are some ideas:

• A selection of beers.
• A selection of both red and white wines.
• Jello or pudding shots. A quick search online can find you many different varieties, such as beer jello shots or Cookies ‘n Cream pudding shots.
• Make a large batch of punch ahead of time, then just pour over ice. An idea for this is grilled sangria or gridiron punch.

The entertainment

The mingling is the entertainment at tailgating parties. However, to pass the time, many people like to play games. Nothing complicated, but simple fun, such as dominoes, card games, cornhole, etc. So be sure to bring some of those along.

In addition, you will want to have either some music or a television available in your tailgate spot. Music is always welcome, but a television can top of the party. It will allow you to show pre-game events and discussions. It will also allow you to watch the game should you be tailgating away from the stadium or without a ticket.

The planning timeline

Unlike normal events, you aren’t going to have long to plan for your tailgate party. This is especially true if you are waiting to see if your team makes it to the Super Bowl before you celebrate. So, it is important to work fast and efficiently to pull off the perfect party. Here are some planning tips:

• Tailgate parties are not formal so don’t send invitations. A simple call or text to your football-loving friends will suffice. Let them know the when and where – they will know the rest.
• Order your tent as soon as you decide to throw a tailgate party to ensure you have it on the day you need it.
• Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to make the perfect meal or the most extravagant dish. It’s a football party. Be sure to make food that will allow you to enjoy the day – not consume you.
• Ask your electrician friend to help you with any wiring that needs to be done. Don’t try to do this yourself if you aren’t familiar. Can you imagine inviting everyone to watch the game in your tailgate tent and then you find out the wiring got mixed up and the tv won’t work? This is not worth risking.

There you have it – everything you need to know to throw the perfect tailgating party. So, relax, have some fun, root for your team, and, of course, enjoy your tailgating party.