Tailgating Essentials
Many thanks to Sam’s Club for sponsoring today’s story and getting me ready for tailgating.
My sister and her friends are what I would call tailgating pros. For several seasons, they had season tickets to all of the home games and parking passes to start tailgating way before the game. Since it’s been a while since I’ve done anything “tailgate-y” I thought I’d ask what her essentials are and add some I think she should bring next time.
1. Food
Hamburgers, hot dogs, guacamole, cheese dip (Velvetta and Rotel, or Velvetta and no bean chili), chips, veggies, hummus. Basically, you are there all day from way before the game to way after the game. So make sure you have enough food to keep you sustained (especially if you are also having drinks.) Don’t forget your grill so you can cook your food and your condiments for your burgers and dogs. It’s all about the meat!
2. Drinks
Bring all the drinks. It’s HOT and you need to stay hydrated. You’ll water, beer, electrolyte drinks, OJ + champagne, a full bloody mary bar, soda, juice.
3. Entertainment
There are a lot of people and there is a lot of fun to be had. They would bring a generator to power much of their entertainment. They even had a TV in the back of the truck to catch the pre-game shows. Also, a bluetooth speaker is a plus for all of your jams. Corn hole is a great game you can pack up easily and play with friends. If you are tailgating on grass, horse shoes would work, too.
4. Comfort
Parking lots are brutally hot. Bring a tent, or two, or three and make sure you have chairs to sit under them. Not get dehydrated during your day of fun. Don’t forget hats and sunscreen, too. You want to enjoy the game, not have a painful sunburn.
What would you add to the list for your tailgating essentials?
I think this list just about covers what I’d need for a good tailgating party! Maybe some fun games for kids too, though mine loves cornhole lol
Kids…whooops…I forgot about them.
But, my sister has only done the tailgating thing pre-kids. I think it would look very different now:)
That looks so fun. I can’t even begin to tell you the last time I tailgated at anything! Maybe I need to find an excuse to plan an outing where we can do some tailgating beforehand 😉
I think the tailgating is even more fun than the actual game. Maybe we should just set up in our driveway?
Looks perfect to me! I can’t remember the last time I went tailgating and we live SUPER close to Gillette Stadium!
Everything changes with you have kids….it just costs so much for a sitter these days!
Sad to say I have never been to a tailgating, think I’ll have to change that up next year after I move. This looks like a ton of fun, to be honest I thought this was more of a college student thing and not for families. Love this idea.
Tail gating is all about food for me! I love that everyone gets together to hang out and enjoy time together. Grilled anything or pizza is my favorite. I also love good dips and chips.
Tailgating season is upon us, and I can’t wait to eat. The football part isn’t so much my thing.
Seems like you covered the top essentials! We always have plenty of food and drinks. Even if your favorite team doesn’t win, at least you will be full from the food!
Love your list of tailgating essentials! Love the comfort food and comfy chairs! Oh, and a good drink 🙂
Never been tailgating but I believe you have all the bases covered.
Margaritas. Definitely need those for a good tailgating experience!
I’ve never gone tailgating…looks like I’ve been missing out.
I can tell you have southern roots and I have northern. You’re talking about it being hot and I’m worried about it being cold. I was thinking blankets and thermoses of hot cocoa! lol
Cheese dip! Love that stuff. We also add s’mores fixings to any tailgate party. Because s’mores.
You have made me want to tailgate!!!!
I can’t stand stickiness so FOR SURE I would have wipies with me!
I would add a super comfortable chaise lounge chair to bring. Sometimes it just gets to be too much with all the standing, walking, eating, drinking. We bring cornhole with us when we tailgate too!
You’ve got it covered! We usually do a faux-tailgate at home. It’s so much fun and much more comfy because there is air conditioning! 😉
Oh, we love cornhole! Definitely a tailgating must have! Velveeta with rotel is one of my favorite things too!
You might have something there with tail gating in your own driveway – what fun – put the TV in the garage and have at it – corn hole, washers, horse shoes – bet you would attract neighborhood fans for sure
Tailgating is so fun! All you really need is good food, drinks and friends.
I actually never been to a tailgating party, but all of these are wonderful ideas!