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| Tailgating Party Tips |
| This DIY Basic provides great tailgating party tips. |
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Tailgating isn't just for football. It can be done any time and anywhere -- during a day at the ballpark, during an outdoor concert or at an amusement park. And by following a few simple steps, you're sure to score points with friends and family. - When it comes to tailgating, make sure you don't try and do it all yourself. Enlist the help of a friend or family member for the big event.
- Do as much as you can in advance and play it safe with any of the food you expect to serve.
- Use different coolers for uncooked foods and ready-to-eat food and drinks. Keep all perishable foods on ice.
- Use frozen bottles of water in coolers instead of ice to have plenty of cold water to drink.
- Pack the vehicle in advance with supplies, nonperishable foods, outdoor chairs, a grill and grilling tools -- and some music (figure A). You'll be that much further along when you're ready to go the next day.
- If possible, arrive early so you can stake out a good spot. In fact, parking at the end of a row can give you more space.
- Back into your parking spot so you're tailgating safely against a sidewalk or another vehicle, and make sure your friends can find you by tying on some colorful balloons.
- For quick and easy decorations, add a baseball and glove, tuck in colorful pompoms around the food and use pinwheels to give your tailgate a final decorative touch.
- If it's windy a roll of painter's tape can be a lifesaver to keep your tablecloth from blowing away. Use miniature tin pails (figure B), found in the garden section of a craft store, to contain eating utensils.
- When guests are ready to eat, use hand sanitizers for a convenient cleanup.
Safety Alert: If you tailgate for more than two hours, wrap up the leftovers and put food back in the coolers. Use plastic bags and tin foil when wrapping food. If grilling at your tailgate party, never leave a grill unattended. Avoid spatters or burns by using long-handled barbecue utensils. And don't let loose clothing dangle near the grill. Also, keep extracurricular activities away from the grill. If grilling, keep meat in the cooler until you're ready to cook. And never put cooked meat where raw meat has been sitting. Finally, make sure your grill is cool before leaving it unattended. - When it comes to cleanup, dispose of trash properly and separate out recyclable products (figure C).
By following these few simple tips, tailgating can be enjoyed by all and add fun to the entire day!
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