While tailgates usually happen at stadiums before your favorite team takes the field, you can throw a tailgate party at home that’s just as fun. In fact, throwing a tailgate party at home is the perfect way to support your favorite team with your friends and family. When you have an at-home tailgate, you get to save money on tickets, provide more menu options and go inside when it gets too cold.
If you want to host a tailgate party at home, you need a game plan. Below, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to host a tailgate party, including the best game-day hosting tips and top snacks to make for tailgating. Keep reading to discover MVP-worthy tailgate party ideas for home.
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Creating an electric game-day atmosphere is key to hosting a successful tailgate at home. Luckily, pumping your space full of team spirit is easy. In fact, decorating your home for the big game can be as simple as color-coordinating all of your tailgate materials with your favorite team’s colors. Provide napkins, plasticware, table cloths and even foods the same color as your team’s jerseys.
Of course, if you want to deck your house out with huge banners, extravagant centerpieces and other team-themed decorations, go right ahead! Have a blast making signs, hanging spirited posters, blaring artificial crowd noises and whatever else you want to do to make your house feel more like a stadium packed with dedicated fans.
Regardless of how you choose to decorate your space for game day, there is one crucial detail you need to prepare before your tailgate guests arrive — make sure you get the channel the game is on!
Check out these top five tips for hosting a football game party at home:
Keeping an eye on the forecast is essential when planning a tailgate party if you want to be outside. Try to pick a game that’s scheduled for a clear, sunny day so you and your guests can enjoy an outdoor tailgate in your driveway or yard. Knowing what the weather is supposed to be like on the day of your tailgate will help you know whether to set up your game-day spread inside or outside.
Aside from the game, food is the main event at a tailgate. If you want to throw a tailgate party that will be talked about for years, you’ve got to have a championship-worthy spread. Coming up with the perfect tailgate menu is easy with the support of John Soules Foods fully cooked chicken.
Here are a few details to consider when planning your tailgate menu:
Save yourself time and stress on the day of the tailgate by preparing whatever you can in advance. Do your best to chop up veggies, fruit and other ingredients the night before the tailgate, so all you have to do is assemble the recipe on game day. Other prep work you can do in advance includes mixing drinks and baking desserts.
The secret to a successful tailgate is working smarter, not harder. Buying pre-made foods like fully cooked meats, sliced vegetables or packaged cookies can save you from racing against the clock on game day. Only having to put pre-made ingredients together will give you the chance to relax and enjoy your own tailgate.
After working so hard on your tailgate menu, make sure you party-proof your serving containers. Instead of fragile glass containers, choose sturdy serving ware like melamine bowls or woven baskets for your tailgate. You can also dump some ice into a wheelbarrow and use it as a mobile cooler to free up more space for food and seating.
Bring plenty of blankets to keep your tailgate guests warm after the sun starts to go down. Your guests may also get tired of standing at the tailgate, so make sure you have some collapsible chairs they can sit on. Keeping your guests comfortable will ensure your tailgate’s a hit. Bonus points if your blankets and chairs incorporate your team’s colors.
Now that you know the basics of tailgate menu planning, here are seven all-star snacks to make on game day if you want to score big:
Stock up on ingredients to help your tailgate go smoothly from John Soules Foods. We provide delicious, ready-to-eat protein options that will keep your tailgate guests fueled up to cheer their loudest all game long. The fresh and frozen protein options from John Soules Foods offer exceptional quality and taste without requiring you to spend hours cooking the ingredients yourself.
Get ready for your next tailgate party by purchasing John Soules Foods products and browsing our game-day recipes.
