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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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