As school is back in session, it is time to think about food, football, family, and amazing fall traditions. That means football is back and on the agenda!
The first football games are showing up on the schedule, and yes, I can already hear someone asking, “What are we going to eat on game day?” Both high school and college football are kicking off, and it is a wonderful time of year.
Ah, you can tell it’s autumn—or fall, as some call it—when those cooler temperatures arrive. The leaves will soon begin changing, evenings become more comfortable, and we start thinking about all the activities that come with this special time of year.
For many of us, football is one of the first signs that autumn has arrived.
Food, Football, Family, and Fall Traditions: the Perfect Tailgate
Of course, when we think of tailgating, we think of the food. However, some come for the game, and some come for the food. Some do not care who wins or loses; they just want to share the experience.
In reality, tailgating is about people getting together and enjoying the day or night. It is a time to relax, visit with family and friends, enjoy some good food, and make memories.
First of all, the host gets to decide where the event takes place. The truth is, the host is almost always trying to please their friends and family. Being a host can sometimes make the party less fun for the person doing all the work. However, some people are just born to host!
So, take the location seriously and think about what will work best for everyone.
Host an At-Home Tailgating Event
If you would rather avoid stadium traffic, you can host your tailgate at home, outside in the garage, on the patio, or wherever you have enough room. This can cut down on having to pack your car with coolers, pop-ups, chairs, grills, and everything else you may need.
An at-home tailgate can be just as much fun as one at the stadium. Turn on the television, set up some chairs, put out the food, and let everyone enjoy the game together.
To have a perfect tailgate, you need your friends and family—and, of course, the football tailgating food! It wouldn’t be a tailgate without food and beverages.
When planning what food to have, remember that as the host, you don’t have to provide everything. Plan a basic menu with the usual hot dogs and hamburgers, plus sides, or perhaps a more elaborate Bar-B-Que with all the sides. You might even want to have both!
Listen to what some of your guests would like to have and go from there. Oh please remember the decorations. You want to show your support of your favorite team. It can be as elaborate as you want. Your colors, mascot, streamers, etc., will depend on the space you have. Have fun with it. And, this time of year, you can find them locally, or you can order online and receive them fast with two-day shipping.
Plan the Food Ahead of Time
I would plan the first tailgate party a couple of weeks in advance to allow everyone to have some input. Begin making a list of food and other items you might need. This is a good time to find out what others want to contribute and what they plan to bring.
People also like to bring their favorite dish to share with everyone. For instance, someone usually has the chili recipe to share. Someone else might be bringing wings and maybe some other favorite snacks.
You could have sandwiches, sliders, chips and dips, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, vegetables, fruit, or whatever your family and friends enjoy. Don’t forget dessert! Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and other easy-to-eat treats can disappear quickly at a tailgate.
One of the best things about planning ahead is that you can prepare many foods before everyone arrives. That means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests.
You might have a crockpot plugged in, keeping those pigs in a blanket warm. You can have music playing, kids running around, friends visiting, and plenty of football opinions flying through the air. If you have the space and it’s appropriate, you could even have a fire pit going.
Never hesitate to ask others what they would like to bring. Most people, I have found, want to help. Many simply do not know what you are thinking about, so don’t be afraid to share your plans.
To the Stadium We Go
If you’re going to the stadium, make sure your vehicle has enough space for everything you’ll need.
Make sure you have enough coolers, pop-ups, tables, grills, and charcoal. You may even want a little extra charcoal in case unexpected guests show up or you need to cook longer than planned.
And please remember the little things: tongs, spatulas, serving spoons, grill mitts, paper towels, trash bags, plates, cups, napkins, and eating utensils. Those little things are easy to forget until you need them!
One more thing to think about is a fully supplied first-aid kit. Burn ointment, Band-Aids, scissors, gauze, and other basic supplies can come in handy.
It’s a good idea to make a list of those little necessities so you don’t forget anything.
Also remember that stadiums and parking areas can have their own rules about grills, tents, alcohol, fires, and other equipment. It is always a good idea to check the rules before you pack up and head out.
Tailgating Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Some people go to tailgate events and do not eat there. I know people who simply want to socialize and enjoy the camaraderie of tailgating. They may stop at a restaurant on the way to the game, then meet up with everyone in the parking lot or another designated location.
There are many ways to enjoy tailgating. There is no rule saying you have to do it one particular way.
Remember, Tailgating is what you want it to be. There are no rules.
Maybe your idea of a perfect tailgate is a giant gathering with several grills going and people everywhere. Maybe it is just four or five friends sitting around a table enjoying a bowl of chili.
Either way, you are still making memories.
Don’t Forget the Games
You might even have a football toss competition, ring toss, cards, or simple games that don’t require much equipment. The next thing to consider is games. Usually, for us, it is cornhole, horseshoes, or throwing a football or baseball around. You can ask your guests what they might enjoy.
If you have small children attending, plan accordingly and have some age-appropriate games available for them.
Courtesy should always be a top priority when planning a stadium tailgate.
Of course, you need to consider where you are having your tailgate. Some stadium parking areas simply do not have enough room around the vehicles for certain games. Plus, other tailgaters may not appreciate people running through their area.
Keep the Competition Friendly
We all know that competitiveness can sometimes cause problems. Some of us are a little more competitive than others!
Pulling for a losing or struggling team should never ruin the outcome of your tailgate. Unfortunately, I have seen some events lose their fun because friendly teasing about a team or favorite players went too far.
Try to keep things pleasant and enjoyable. If you notice things beginning to ramp up, try to defuse the situation before it becomes a problem.
After all, we want everyone to have an enjoyable day.
Football is supposed to bring people together, not drive them apart.
Make Room for the Little Ones
If children are attending your tailgate, remember that they may not be interested in sitting around watching football for several hours.
Give them something fun to do. A few simple games, coloring supplies, bubbles, a football to toss around, or even a small scavenger hunt can keep them entertained.
The activity is also a wonderful way to introduce children to family traditions. They may not remember the final score years from now, but they may remember running around with their cousins, eating Grandma’s famous chili, or sitting beside their family while everyone laughed and enjoyed the day.
Those little moments become memories.
Final Thoughts
Remember, the size of the tailgate should not matter. Sometimes just family or a few friends is plenty to have a great time.
You don’t have to go to a stadium to tailgate. You can have one at home, in your backyard, on the patio, or wherever you can safely gather together.
The important thing is to relax, have fun, enjoy some delicious food, and be considerate of others.
Football may bring everyone together, but the memories we make with family and friends make the day special.
And this is only the beginning of autumn.
There will be changing leaves, cooler evenings, bonfires, hunting season, Halloween, pumpkins, apples, soups and stews, Thanksgiving preparations, holiday baking, family gatherings, and so much more to come.
Autumn has a way of reminding us to slow down and enjoy the people and traditions that make life special.
So grab your favorite team shirt, gather your family and friends, bring along something good to eat, and enjoy the season.
Welcome to Autumn Unboxed!
More Autumn Unboxed is Coming!
Football and tailgating are just the beginning. As autumn unfolds, we’ll be talking about fall foods, Halloween fun, hunting season, cozy evenings, Thanksgiving preparations, family traditions, and so much more. I hope you will continue to follow me for more fun.