Now, for me, when the crisp fall air approaches and the leaves start to turn, that can only mean one thing: football season is upon us, and your first tailgate party better be good!
Even if you are not a huge football fan, what’s not to love about a great football tailgate? Fresh air, friends, food, drink it all sounds like a great time.
But creating a great tailgate experience is no easy task; there are actually quite a few moving parts that are involved, and you need to perfect your tailgate setup! This is especially true if you are hosting the event. So it can be really easy to forget things if you aren’t organized.
After a few seasons of football tailgating under my belt, I’ve got the process pretty well set by now, and in reality, organization is really key in order to become the tailgate superhero I know you have in you. So let’s get started.
Find a spot for tailgating basics
Once you’re fully indoctrinated into the world of tailgating, you are going to have quite a haul of things. Here’s a list of the basic supplies you’ll need for your football tailgate party:
- Portable grill
- Grill caddy (including a grill brush, grill grease tray, grilling utensils, a grill brush, etc.)
- Handy tent or collapsible food tent/canopy
- Folding table
- Classic camping chairs
- Insulated cooler or two (one for food, one for sodas or alcoholic beverages)
- Disposable plates, cups, and silverware
- Portable radio or TV
- Merch for your favorite team (not required but absolutely necessary!)
Designate a corner of your garage, basement, or storage area to keep all of your big tailgate supplies together. That way, come game day, you aren’t digging around looking for things here, there, and everywhere. For even more efficiency, check out this guide on how to maximize your storage unit space—it can help you make the most of whatever space you have, whether you’re storing tailgating essentials or other seasonal gear. You can even keep your tailgating equipment next to your camping essentials—that way, you’re ready for a camping adventure or a memorable event!
If you’re looking to upgrade your setup or just need a little inspiration, check out some of the most epic tailgating vehicles in college football—they’re packed with ideas to take your tailgate to the next level.
Once you’re covered with the basics and have them readily accessible, you can start focusing on the little things.
Make a game day checklist
Many people keep a laminated checklist of supplies at the ready to make sure nothing is forgotten. This might include all sorts of stuff like condiments and seasonings, plates, cups, cutlery, BBQ tools, cutting boards, cleaning supplies, and the like.
The easy solution to keeping these items organized is to get a big plastic container with a lid. The container I have is clear, so I can quickly look in from the side to take an inventory in case any supplies are running low.
Take all of those little things and neatly stack them in the plastic tub. Don’t forget to throw in extras like paper towels, tin foil, toilet paper, an oven mitt, extra trash bags, and a bottle opener. Once you’ve gone through a few daylong events or football tailgates, you will quickly see what items are going to be the must-haves in your tailgate toolkit.
Big containers = big help
When it’s time to head to the football game, having a container or two with all your supplies that can be neatly stacked or set into the back of the car keeps everything in one spot. And you don’t have to worry about things rolling around in the back of your SUV while you’re on the road.
The organization doesn’t stop there. Once you get to the game, get everything set up, and immediately get a big trash bag and hang it off the back of your car. Always clean and throw away as you go, believe me, this will make set up and tear down so much easier and more efficient.
Host your tailgating party and enjoy!
From there, it’s all smooth sailing. With your nicely organized tailgate box and supplies, you are not going to be like your neighbors who are frantically searching the trunk for a spatula, but be nice and lend them a hand anyway.
I’m sure there are some other tailgate fans out there in the crowd. What are some of your best organization tips, favorite grill stations, or coolest products you’ve found for getting out to the game? Let us know in the comments!
