Yes, it’s that time of year again! And we are all ready for some football!
Those happy Sunday afternoons… the days spent in front of the TV cheering your team to victory or bemoaning the intercepted pass that lost the game. The ultimate team sport and loved by millions, football is one of the most social spectator sports. With knowledgeable fans who devote a lifetime to cheering on their teams in both the good and the not so good rebuilding years, football lovers plan their seasons early. From fantasy football leagues to poolside game days, we celebrate the 2018-2019 season with you!
Over the years, clients have shared their football party ideas. There’s nothing like tailgating in the parking lot when your team is facing its arch rival, but you can create a backyard tailgate that will become a new tradition in your home.
Cool Weather Cookouts
Football is a game played in all elements. The only time they clear the field is in a lightning storm. So bring on the cooler temps and the chili, we’ve got a game to win!
We’ve often said that one of the best things about an outdoor poolside party is the low maintenance cleanup. If you were hosting a sit-down dinner for 12, it would be inappropriate to have a big garbage pail for recyclables at the end of the table so your guests could lob their empties in!
Outside offers more of a DIY entertaining experience as your guests can serve themselves and basically clean up after themselves so you can be a guest at your own party. And besides, you’ve got a game to watch!
Football Rivalries
Today, people don’t necessarily stay living in their hometown. Jobs and family have them moving across the country. But no matter if you’re a New York Jets fan living in Florida, you are not a Miami Dolphins fan, you are a Jets fan.
In your neighborhood, you likely have a nice collection of fans across the league. Invite them over for a game. Friendly competition makes the game even more exciting – or heartbreaking.
Tailgate Party Viewing
For a couple hundred dollars, you can bring the game of the week to life with a portable, folding projection screen for your backyard. You and your guests can really feel like you’re on the sidelines with the action projected on a 120” surface. Even in the off-season, this handy entertainment center can be used to host movie parties or even the final season of Game of Thrones! If you’d prefer to keep the dining outside and the viewing inside, big screen televisions have come down in price, so look out for sales to make an upgrade. Be sure to have plenty of chairs and couches to accommodate.
Tailgate Party Food
This is the kind of event where nachos shine. Great tailgate party food is typically easy to prepare – just add cheese! But seriously, you can up your game with some great snacks that are not difficult to make. Here are some favorites we found while scouting around for our own tailgate plans!
We’re kicking it off with a cheesy delight: Charleston Cheese Dip courtesy of Trisha Yearwood. With a 10-minute prep and a 15-minute cook, you’ve got some cheesy, “bacon-y” goodness in under a half hour. Cream cheese, a sharp Cheddar and a delicious Monterey Jack are tossed with green onions and a dash of cayenne pepper for some heat. After 15 minutes in the oven, just sprinkle the bacon on the top and you’re good to go!
This Slow-Cooker Spinach Dip is prepped in 10 or so minutes with some cheeses, a jar of artichoke hearts, and a box of frozen spinach. What also makes it great is that you can keep it cooking for a little over 2 hours. It will be out of your way but will be ready to serve when everything else is done.
Also from the Food Network is this award-winning chili recipe! No tailgate is complete without this staple. With a little over 3 hours of cook time, you can have all the rich ingredients up and simmering in a half hour. It’s easy to assemble with fresh veggies and 5 pounds of beef brisket; kidney beans and chopped basil leaves add the finishing touches on this hearty meal.
Pigs in a Blanket is the classic, two ingredient dish that is a football fan favorite. Just a can of crescent rolls and perhaps some poppy seeds to decorate the top. In the pastry, you can roll up anything from hotdogs to a variety of sausages to serve up the perfect, hand-held snack.
These Italian Pinwheels are a great addition to the menu as you can make them the night before. With a little trusty cream cheese to keep it all together, salami, provolone, pepperoni, ham, and roasted red peppers are the stars of this appetizer. Roll it all together in flour tortillas, wrap in plastic wrap and stow in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight. When you’re ready to serve them up, just cut them into slices and pile them into a bowl. Easy, tasty, and colorful… these will be a big hit.
Tailgate Party Games
If you’re hosting the 4 o’clock game, you may want to start the party early with a fun selection of games. Taste of Home offers up a great selection of fun ways to fill in that time before kickoff with a selection of challenges and activities that do not involve red solo cups and beer! Here are two of them:
Make a Game-Day Photo Booth
Create the ultimate tailgate photo-op by hanging a plain white sheet from the top of an open trunk door and designating that space as your pregame photo booth. From there, you can hang pennants, team banners or streamers to serve as your backdrop while your tailgate pals take turns posing for pictures in front. Leave a basket of props to make the photo shoot even more fun – think foam fingers, pompoms, helmets, hats and footballs – and have everyone show off their fandom in style.
Show Your Team Spirit
Create a team-spirit station at your tailgate where guests can paint faces in team colors, apply team-themed temporary tattoos, or deck themselves out with beads or other inexpensive spirit accessories. You can award prizes to those who show off the most team spirit – or just sit back and let everyone get creative as they cheer.
While we’re hoping your team is having a successful season, we know at least you can throw a good party with a few simple recipes and good friends. Outdoor entertaining is the greatest. And by moving the party outdoors, you can enjoy the fresh air just further into the season!
We love the difference we can make for your family by providing something that puts years of memories within reach. Call 877-754-5966 for more information.
