Throw the Best Tailgating Party in a Few Easy Steps
Are you ready for some football? Throw the best tailgating party with these simple tips.
Whether you are celebrating at the stadium or throwing a tailgating party with friends at the park, this post has you covered.
Supper Club Theme for August – Tailgating Party
It’s my favorite week of the month.
A time when my virtual supper club gets together and shares some entertaining and menu ideas.
This month, my friends and I are sharing our tailgating menu and dinner party ideas.
Have you been following along?
We’ve had so much since we started getting together.
If you are not familiar with what a supper club is, CLICK HERE.
They are so fun to do and if you want to learn how to organize one, you’ll want to check it out.
So far, the group and I have celebrated:
If you are coming from Jen’s at Midwest Life and Style, welcome to our tailgate party!
(Posts on stacyling.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.)
What is a Tailgate Party?
In general, tailgating is a fun social event where you celebrate around the open tailgate of a vehicle for a sporting or concert event.
However, you don’t have to do it around an open tailgate anymore because it’s used more loosely when we bring friends and family together to watch an athletic game with a bunch of food and beverages.
Most tailgate parties are in a stadium lot, but you can also throw one on the block, in your backyard, or your home.
What Should I Expect at a Typical Tailgate Party?
Tailgating provides attendees with lots of food and cocktails to fuel up before the big game or concert.
Tailgate parties are a lot of fun with games like cornhole, beer pong, and frisbee. If you’ve never been to one before, it’s a fun way to gather with close friends and family celebrating your favorite team or getting psyched up for a good concert.
If there to watch a game, be sure to where your favorite team’s colors whether it’s a jersey, tee shirt or take on the brand. Some attendees go all out for good tailgate party and you will want to join in the fun!
Steps to Throwing the Best Tailgating Party Ever
If you are throwing a tailgating party, follow these simple tips to hosting a successful event.
Plan It Out
For starters, make a plan.
If you are hosting a tailgate party at a venue, know their requirements and policies BEFORE you go.
Determine the menu and divvy up what to bring among the guests so you aren’t in charge of doing everything.
And make a list of all the items you’ll need for the tailgate party.
More on what to bring below.
Pick an Easy Menu
Since a tailgating party is not a sit down dinner, choose a menu that’s finger food friendly, easy to prepare, and if possible, can be made ahead of time.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be having fun than worrying about making stuff while entertaining guests.
And be sure to bring some extra snacks like chips and dip or kettle corn to keep everyone satisfied during the big game.
(Check out my virtual dinner club’s amazing menu for this tailgating party – we are sharing it on Saturday!)
Make a List of What you Need
From folding tables to tablecloths, the portable grill to grilling accessories, and all the other table decor items you’ll need for the big event, MAKE A LIST well ahead of time so you make sure you got it all.
Whenever I make a list for anything, I start it well ahead of time so I have time to think of everything.
Are you grilling?
Bring a portable grill like like THIS and all of the accessories.
How will you keep food and beverages cold?
Bring a cooler like THIS.
As an aside, we are huge Yeti fans here.
I know they can be a little pricey, but they can keep food and beverages cold for DAYS!
It’s a great thing to have at home, particularly if you have an extended power outtage like we did during Superstorm Sandy.
We were out of power for two weeks and that cooler kept food cold for a LONG TIME.
Don’t forget to bring some seating.
I love these camping chairs.
We’ve had them for several years.
They even have cooler pockets.
If you have one, you definately want a pop-up tent LIKE THIS ONE.
Not only will it keep you cool on a hot day, but it will protect you from inclement weather AND helps define your party space.
Is it going to be cool weather?
Bring a team blanket LIKE THIS ONE.
If it looks like rain, pack some umbrellas, ponchos and other foul weather gear items.
To pass the downtime, bring some games like cornhole.
And of course, a football to toss around!
Pack the Accessories
From that amazing list, pack it all the night before the big game.
Here are some things you may need for your next tailgate party:
- portable grill
- basting brush
- grill brush
- grill tools
- cooler
- folding table
- stadium chairs
- table cloth
- plates
- cups
- napkins
- hand wipes
- utensils
- ice
- water
- garbage bags for easy clean up
- cornhole or other fun game
- football
- blankets
- foul weather gear (check weather)
- pop up tent
Arrive Early to Claim Your Spot
When throwing a tailgating party, timing is everything.
Designate some friends to arrive early with you to secure the best spots together.
Tailgating Party Decorating Ideas
For this tailgate recipe supper club, it’s more about the mobility than it is sitting down at a table for a meal.
Since we are focusing on finger foods, I’ve decided to decorate my table with a “team color” tablecloth and a centerpiece.
Cause you know I love a good centerpiece!
We are HUGE NY Giants fans in my house, so for this tailgating party, it’s all about the red, white and blue.
I started with a blue and white buffalo check tablecloth LIKE THIS ONE that is draped over a folding table.
And I made a quick centerpiece that is easy to move around with this vintage toolbox, some faux greens, faux red roses, peonies and a football of course.
If your favorite team colors are different, swap out the blooms and tablecloth for the colors that best represents your team.
And that’s it!!!
Have fun at your tailgate party!
Next up, is Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms who will be sharing more tailgating party tips and decor ideas.
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Follow the Rest of the Tailgate Party Dinner Group Tour
My friends have some amazing tips, tricks and tailgating party ideas that you’ve got to see!
So be sure to check each one out by clicking on the photo with blog name below.
Looking for More Supper Club Ideas?
Our supper club has been so much fun and we’ve covered so much over the last year.
Whether you are in a supper club or just want some dinner party theme inspiration, check out the themes we’ve hosted before.
And click here if you want to learn how to organize and host your own supper club,
- Spring Brunch
- Cinco De Mayo
- 4th of July
- Picnic Date
- Tailgating Party
- Fall Harvest Dinner Party
- Thanksgiving Dinner Party
- Christmas Dinner Party
- New Year’s Eve
- Cozy Winter Dinner
- Afternoon Tea Party
- Hawaiian Luau Party
- Low Country Boil
- Summer BBQ
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Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
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