Throw a Game-Winning Tailgate Party

Chic, rustic decor, fan-favorite recipes and fun games will make your tailgate the talk of the season.

By: Erica Reitman

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Photo By: Bethany Nauert, Styled By: Erica Reitman and Paige Geffen

Photo By: Photography by Bethany Nauert; Styled by Erica Reitman and Paige Geffen

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Photo By: Photography by Bethany Nauert; Styled by Erica Reitman and Paige Geffen

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Photo By: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Erica Reitman and Paige Geffen

Photo By: Photography by Bethany Nauert; Styled by Erica Reitman and Paige Geffen

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Rustic Chic Tailgate

As football season kicks off, it’s a great time to start planning a fun tailgate for your family and friends. Pack up the car with delicious, crowd-pleasing drinks and treats, and gather some blankets and games for a chic, vintage-inspired party you'll remember for years to come.

Trail Mix To Go

Set up a trail mix bar area with all the toppings — we used granola, yogurt-covered raisins, dried cranberries, dried bananas and chocolate chips, but don’t be afraid to get creative. Pack it in clear plastic bags tied with some jute thread, and place them into a container — like this galvanized metal tool caddy — for easy transport.

Walking Tacos Recipe

Make taco meat ahead of time (or grab some fresh off the grill), and pack it up with the rest of your fixings. Not only are walking tacos delicious and filling, but they’re easy to take as you head to the stadium to watch the game.

Make This: Walking Tacos Recipe

Vintage Supplies

For a true vintage look, shop at local thrift stores for supplies. We found a large wicker basket to store food, drinks and some wool blankets during transport and that doubles as a small table during the tailgate. Vintage lawn chairs and stools provide seating for the group.

DIY Bar Setup

Two thrifted shelves serve as the bar area. A portable over-the-door hook holds bottle openers and other cocktail tools. For decor, cut several strands of yarn and string across the top of the car or make this easy tissue tassel garland in your favorite team's colors.

Apple Cider Punch Recipe

Apples are at their peak of freshness during fall, so they're the perfect big-batch cocktail for your tailgate party. Serve in small plastic bottles for easy transport and consumption.

Make This: Apple Cider Punch

Meatball Sub on a Stick

A fun take on the Italian classic, meatball subs on a stick turn this typically messy meal into an easy tailgate menu item.

Make This: Meatball Sub on a Stick Recipe

Vintage Dishes

The meatball skewers fit perfectly into vintage wood corn on the cob dishes.

Collapsable Seating

Collapsible leather stools are not only comfortable, they're also easy on the eyes. Pick up a few and keep them safely stored in your trunk. Since they take up very little space once collapsed, you won't have to sacrifice any of your vehicle's storage.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fall Sangria Recipe

Update your favorite summer beverage with some fall fruits. Bring a big batch of sangria in a jar, and serve individual portions using cups in a muffin tin.

Make This: Fall Sangria Recipe

Pack Up Blankets

Provide plenty of blankets for when the temperature drops during night games.

Spiked Thai Coffee

The robust coffee flavor and creamy texture will warm you right up and will give you energy for those late-night games.

Make This: Spiked Thai Coffee

Label Food Items

Save yourself a ton of time explaining what each platter is by marking your mobile culinary creations with moss, toothpicks and tiny paper flags. Here, guests can easily find what they're looking for thanks to the flags and bold green tone of the moss.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Makeshift Lawn Jenga Set

No need to haul heavy wood pieces to your tailgate — make your own Jenga set with shipping boxes covered in wrapping paper in your favorite team's colors.

Make This: DIY Lawn Jenga

Soup Cannisters

Bring along a few different types of soups, and serve them out of portable insulated containers. Skip the spoons, and serve from cups instead.

No-Sew Pillow Cover

Support your favorite team with no-sew pillow covers. These pillows double as extra padding for your seat at the tailgate and as a cushion while enjoying the game at the stadium.

Make This: No-Sew Team Pillow

Tailgate Survivial Kit

As the party comes to a close and you and your guests head inside the stadium, give everyone their own tailgate survival kit packed with cold soda, sunscreen, trail mix, napkins and moist towelettes. The kit will also come in handy when the game is over and your squad heads back to the truck for an after-game celebration.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Throw a Game-Winning Tailgate Party

Related To:

Shop This Look

Rustic Chic Tailgate

Trail Mix To Go

Walking Tacos Recipe

Vintage Supplies

DIY Bar Setup

Apple Cider Punch Recipe

Meatball Sub on a Stick

Vintage Dishes

Collapsable Seating

Fall Sangria Recipe

Pack Up Blankets

Spiked Thai Coffee

Label Food Items

Makeshift Lawn Jenga Set

Soup Cannisters

No-Sew Pillow Cover

Tailgate Survivial Kit

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