Tailgating in America is a time honored tradition! Team spirit roots run deep and celebrating before the game with food and fun is how we get our spirit amped up.
Tip #1
Keep a reusable bag filled with these easy Tailgating supplies in your trunk throughout the football season.
- No Sew Swag Banner in your team colors
- Paper plates for easy clean up
- Penalty Flag napkins (scroll down for easy tutorial)
- Football Field Tablecloth (scroll down for easy tutorial)
Also, they won’t fit in your bag but don’t forget the fold up chairs! These are my favorite game day chairs!
Tip #2
Order Pizza for Football Friday Night or Grill in the parking lot for SEC Saturday.
Swing by and pick up a pizza on the way to the game! We like the meal deal on Friday nights for high school tailgating. All pizza places have a meal deal and it is quick and easy so we can relax.
If you are Tailgating for you college team, you may likely be setting up the grill and going all out! Try any of these recipe ideas for your Tailgating party.
- How To Boil Peanuts
- Crockpot Maple Beans & Franks
- Pimento Cheese Burgers
- 3 Ingredient BBQ Wings
- How To Make Football Character Cookies
ALSO SEE THESE FOOTBALL PARTY IDEAS
Tip #3
Create team spirit ambiance with these super easy Tailgate Party Supply tutorials!
How To Make Penalty Flag Napkins
Supplies:
- Suckers ( I used the one’s with bubble gum in the middle)
- Rubber bands
- Bright yellow napkins
Directions:
- Tape down the top part of the wrapper so it won’t poke out
- Lay the sucker in the middle of the unfolded napkin
- Pull the napkin up around the sucker
- Wrap a yellow rubber band around the sucker stem to hold the napkin in place
Football Field Reusable Tailgating Tablecloth
Supplies:
- One bright green tarp
- White Duck tape
Directions
- Unfold the tarp just enough so that it fits perfectly in the back of your vehicle. There is no need to completely unfold and refold unless your vehicle trunk is very large.
- Turn the tarp over and tape down the loose edges of the ‘bottom.’
- Place the white Duck tape at even intervals across the top surface of the tablecloth.
We drive a small car so our tablecloth is small. We made it in less than 15 minutes! The fact that it is a tarp means you can wipe up spills if they occur. You could also remove the tape from the back and reuse the tarp for another purpose after football season is over!
Quinn Caudill says
Great tips for tailgating. Pinned! Thanks for sharing with us at #Throwback Thursday link party. Please join us again next week and invite your friends to join.
Tiffani says
We tailgate a lot & this would be perfect for our next game. The Sam’s meal deal is a very affordable price….much cheaper than my carry-out place. I love the DIY tarp and the penalty flag lollipops….my kiddos would love these! Great post! Thank you for linking up to our Small Victories Sunday Linkup!
Paula says
This is such a fabulous idea and quite simple to do. This is such an inspirational post. I would love it if you could share it at our WIW link party to day. I hope you can join us!
Paula
ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Shirley Wood says
Thank you for the invitation. Heading over there right now.
Sandy Sandmeyer says
What an easy way to tailgate without all of the hassles. Thanks for sharing your post at the #AnythingGoes Link Party.
Shirley Wood says
Isn’t that the truth, without all the hassle! Just swing by Sam’s Club, no need to even call ahead! Then we can just enjoy all the excitement of the game!
Beverly Roderick says
Shirley, these are so fun! I especially love the penalty flags. What a great idea! Pinned and Tweeted. Thanks for partying with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday.
Shirley Wood says
Thank you Beverly. We had such fun with this Tailgate Party then cheered on the Home Team!
Kimberly says
Love this!
Melanie Redd says
What great suggestions for a Friday night tailgate party! I love how your car turned out, and the prices at Sam’s are fabulous!
Thank you for sharing these ideas today on Turn it up Tuesday.
We were “parked” by each other on the Link Up, and I’m glad to find your site.
Blessings,
Melanie
Shirley Wood says
Thank you Melanie. The icing on the cake for Football Friday night is that excellent Family Pizza Combo deal at Sam’s club. You just cannot beat that price for full meal to feed the family! Pizza and football makes Friday’s fun!
Jess says
These are such great tips!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Nicole Keener says
Oh this is too fun! I could definitely do this at home as well. In our house talking to my dad in law and my hubby is useless when Football is on
Shirley Wood says
I am a huge fan of football too! I was so glad when one of our grandchildren finally got to high school so we would have an excuse to go to the games!
The Décor is super easy to make!
Christine | Where The Smiles Have Been says
Thanks for the great tips! I love those penalty flag napkins and the football field table cloth….so creative!
Shirley Wood says
Those Penalty flag napkins and the Football field tablecloth were not only easy to make but extremely frugal too! The whole tailgate party is very budget friendly!
Sarah Sofia Knepp says
I love a good party and football season! Put them together and this tailgating party is a bound to be a hit! Love all your ideas, especially since they’re affordable and easy!
Shirley Wood says
It’s always so much more fun when a party is frugal, isn’t it! This one is fast, easy, fun and affordable!
sue says
We are coming towards the finals of our football season in Australia. This looks like a fun nights food and entertainment so thank you for sharing with us at #WednesdaysWisdom. Hope your team wins!
Shirley Wood says
Thank you Sue. I know you guys are in Spring down under right now. Thank you for stopping by!
Sarah Eliza says
Fun projects! Thanks for coming by Free and Fun Friday!!
Shirley Wood says
Thanks Sarah and I appreciate you stopping by!
Nicole Elliott says
What fun and easy ideas!!! I love how adorable and festive (and TASTY!!!) everything looks–you’d never guess it was all so easy and affordable to throw together! ~ client
Shirley Wood says
Thank you Nicole. I’m a big fan of easy especially when quick and affordable is a part of the plan too!
Roxanne says
I may not be the biggest football fan, but I do love to tailgate! Great ideas!
Shirley Wood says
Thank you Roxanne. I love football all the way around. Now that we have a grandson in high school, we get to go to Football Friday nights! Sometimes that transition from work to the stadium can be hectic so that Family Pizza Combo helps!
We watch as many NFL games as possible also. College football is huge here in the south too! It’s those college games where the best tailgating happens!
Alli says
We are big football fans around here and I’m crazy about all your tailgating tips! Love those penalty flag napkins. Everything looks great!
Shirley Wood says
Thank you Alli. Aren’t those Penalty Flags too easy! We are so glad that it’s FINALLY football season again!
Those live games at the high school stadium are the most exciting!