Dedicated fandom is one thing, but dedicated tailgating takes football frenzy to a whole new level. When proper tailgating is involved, football is not a game. It is an event. Nay, it is a lifestyle. Make every tailgate a success with these top tips.
Laminated List
Save yourself a whole trunk of worry by making a list of all the supplies you’ll need for the big day, then check them off as you pack. You can then use the same list when you’re cleaning up to make sure you don’t leave anything in the lot. If you’re a regular tailgater, laminate that list and reuse it weekend after weekend.
Freeze Water Bottles
Easiest trick in the book. Freeze a pack of water bottles the night before, and throw them into your cooler instead of ice. After the sun has done its damage, you’ll be left with cool, crisp, bottled water instead of a sad puddle of dirty water that used to be ice.
Freeze Meat
Prepack and pre-freeze burgers, steaks, and kabobs in their marinade. Your meaty morsels will begin to thaw during transport and they’ll be ready for the grill. This trick also decreases the possibility of spoiling during the drive, especially in the midst of game day traffic.
Balloon Buoy
It’s no use setting up for the party if the party can’t find you! Bring a recognizable helium balloon, or another bright marker, to distinguish your set-up from the rest of the swarming crowds. It may be tempting, but make sure you avoid balloons decorated with your team colors. They’ll be harder to find.
Repurpose Recyclables
Wait before you head for the waste basket! That cup carrier and plastic cups can be converted into a makeshift veggie tray, and that cardboard six pack holder is a fantastic condiment caddy. Best of all, you don’t have to take them with you when you’re done.
Tailgate Toolkit
Imagine this: you cook a mouthwatering burger, place it on a grill-toasted bun, and now all you need is…wait. You forgot the ketchup. The horror. Don’t let this be you. Pack a football-first-aid-kit, including utensils, sauces, napkins, can openers, trash bags, sunscreen, and anything else you may need. Your emergency toolkit could make the difference between a tailgate touchdown and a crash before kickoff.
Plastic for Dishes, Metal for Coal
It’s easy to forget about clean up, until you are left with a bunch of dirty dishes and nowhere to store them. Bring a plastic tub to load up with spoiled dishes, and a metal container to store hot tools and coal you want to reuse. Your clean trunk will thank you.
If you follow all these tips, there’s no doubt your tailgate will top all the rest. Carry on, tailgate champion, and show your rivals how it’s done.
