Setting Up A Tailgate Party

Setting up a tailgate party is fun and easy with these ideas; with inspirational images and recipes for food and display when tailgating at the big game!

Football season is in full swing and every Saturday I see friends posting on Facebook, pictures of their tailgating fun. Being from North Carolina originally, college sports is a BIG deal with teams like Duke, UNC, NC State, and my Alma Mater, ECU. I wish we had more opportunities to go to some of the games, but for now we’ll have to settle on ‘homegating‘ instead.

I created this tailgate party spread a couple of weeks ago when we invited some friends over on a Sunday to watch the pro games {it’s also shared as part of the series I’m doing for Homes(dot)com}. I used our friend’s truck to set up a stylish tailgate buffet that even the guys were impressed by. Take a look at the photos and read my tips for hosting your own tailgating party whether at the stadium or in your own driveway…

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Setting Up A Tailgate Party With Style

• First rule of thumb is to use your teams colors in the decor. I used a red throw and a plaid fabric as a layered ‘table cloth’.
• Using rustic organic items in the display adds that ‘on-the-go’ feel of tailgating, plus the crates and basket double as storage while traveling to the stadium.
• Fill a basket with cheering paraphernalia like poms, megaphones, & pennants, and let guests use them during the game. They can also be used as ‘photo props.‘
• Provide easy nibbles & snacks to grab and go, like bags of popcorn, chips, or trail mix.
• A color coordinated punch {adult version, or kid-friendly} becomes a centerpiece when you serve it from a dispenser.
• Serve chili in up-cycled cans. They are great vessels and can be thrown away for easy clean up. I wrapped these with corrugated paper similar to coffee cup wraps, to keep your hands from getting hot. TIP: Add a couple of glue dots to keep the band in place, or make sure you tie it on very snug so your can doesn’t slip out {party foul!}.
• Serve a variety of small sandwiches that are wrapped in colored paper and twine.
• I found football shaped Oreos so of course I had to add these to the spread.
• If you’re tailgating at home or on the road, it’s fun to have activities for guests to do. Some classic favorites are corn hole, bocce, ladder ball, and football for tossing.
• Need food ideas?  Try my favorite bacon appetizers {for those early morning games}, or fiesta chili recipes.

There you have it – 10 ways to add style to your tailgate party. What’s your favorite?

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