10 Easy Tips for Hosting an Unforgettable Backyard Tailgate

Fall is in the air, and football season is here! Join me as I share 10 easy tips for hosting a fun and festive backyard tailgate party!

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10 Easy Tips For Hosting A Backyard Tailgate

Fall is finally here, and that means football and tailgating season have arrived!

So, in honor of all the game day excitement, I’m teaming up with some friends to bring you inspiration and tips for hosting a football tailgate party in your backyard.

Table of Contents

• 10 Easy Tips For Hosting A Backyard Tailgate
• Tip #1: Start with a Theme
• Tip #2: Create a Simple (and Budget-Friendly) Centerpiece
• Tip #3: Use Food as Decor
• Tip #4: Add Personal Touches with Unique Party Decor
• Tip #5: Use Lighting to Set the Mood for Your Backyard Tailgate
• Tip #6: Choose Your Menu
• Tip #7 Mix in Some Game Day Fun
• Tip # 8: Don’t Forget the Tunes
• Tip #9: Keep Drinks Cold and Handy
• Tip #10: Send Guests Home with a Little Something
• Shop The Post
• Final Thoughts on Hosting a Backyard Tailgate
• More Backyard Tailgate Party Ideas from My Friends
• Did You Enjoy this Post? PIN It for Later!

Are you ready for football season? At our house, Saturdays in the fall are all about cheering on our team (go Huskers!), enjoying our favorite football party foods, and spending time with friends and family.

The good news is you don’t need a stadium parking lot to join in on the fun. Hosting a backyard tailgate is an easy way to enjoy game day right at home. And, with just a little planning, you can easily pull together a fun, laid-back tailgate party.

If you’re looking for simple football party ideas, I’m sharing my best tips for hosting a backyard tailgate that your family and friends will love.

So grab your jersey, fire up the grill, and let’s talk about how to host a backyard tailgate everyone will remember.

Tip #1: Start with a Theme

Set the scene for your football tailgate party by choosing a theme. You can use the colors of your favorite high school, college, or pro team and include vintage football memorabilia to add a nostalgic touch.

For my backyard tailgate, I chose a traditional fall theme and used a mix of rustic wood accents, warm colors, and galvanized metal to create a casual look.

Of course, nothing says fall like a flannel throw blanket.

I made a small tablecloth for my food table using blue and orange plaid fabric from the craft store, adding a warm and welcoming touch of autumn colors to the table.

Pro Tip: When picking a theme, think about what will make your tailgate feel personal and fun. Team colors are a no-brainer, but you can also add little touches from your favorite season, your family’s traditions, or even vintage finds. A few small details can make the whole party feel cohesive without any extra stress.

Tip #2: Create a Simple (and Budget-Friendly) Centerpiece

Even for something casual like a backyard tailgate, a small flower arrangement can make things feel more special, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make a beautiful arrangement.

Fresh flowers are always my preference, but faux work in a pinch, or you can mix and match. A simple arrangement like this one, made with sunflowers, mums, and greenery, is quick and easy to put together and adds a bright pop of color to your table.

Pro Tip: Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite places to score fresh flowers on a budget. If they don’t have what you’re looking for (or you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s), check your local grocery store or farmers market. You can usually find seasonal blooms that are fresh, affordable, and perfect for putting together a simple centerpiece.

Tip #3: Use Food as Decor

Here’s one of my favorite tricks. If you’re trying to stretch your budget or just want an easy way to decorate, use food as decor for your buffet or tablescape. It looks pretty and, the best part, people can actually eat it too.

For this tailgate, I scattered fresh apples down the center of the table. The reds and greens picked up the colors in my flower arrangement and instantly made the whole setup feel more fall-like.

You could do the same thing with little pumpkins, pears, bowls of popcorn, or whatever makes sense for the season. It’s the easiest kind of decorating because it does double duty.

Tip #4: Add Personal Touches with Unique Party Decor

One of the best ways to make your tailgate feel special is by including unique, personal touches like antique sports memorabilia or family photos.

For ours, I shared one of my favorite treasures, an old photo of my husband’s grandpa, Al, suited up for the Superior Wildcats back in the late 1940s. Not only does it fit the football theme perfectly, but it’s also a special way to honor family history

Little touches like this, whether it’s vintage memorabilia, old photos, or even a favorite team jersey, help make your gathering feel warm and personal.

Side Note: Fun fact, this same photo was actually featured in Nike’s 1998 Super Bowl commercial “I Can.” If you’re curious, you can find it on YouTube around the 47-second mark.

Tip #5: Use Lighting to Set the Mood for Your Backyard Tailgate

There’s something about football night games under the lights that feels extra exciting. Even if you aren’t in a stadium, you can capture that same cozy glow at home by adding a little ambiance to your tailgate with lighting.

Try hanging a few strands of string lights from a tree, arbor, or even your fence. As the sun goes down, they make the whole space feel warm and inviting.

It’s the perfect backdrop for cheering on your team and spending time outside with your friends and family long after the game ends.

Pro Tip: Keep the cozy feeling going and also keep the bugs away by adding a few DIY tabletop citronella torches.

Tip #6: Choose Your Menu

The best tailgates are all about food that’s easy to grab and enjoy. My biggest tip when planning your backyard tailgate menu is to pick recipes that you can easily scale up (or down) depending on your crowd.

You don’t need a fancy spread, just keep your tailgate food simple with dips, sliders, grab-and-go appetizers, and self-serve dishes everyone can help themselves to.

Chicken wings are always a hit, and if you ask my husband, they’re a must-have at any tailgate.

Glass jars make great containers for serving food. You can serve sides like potato salad, pasta salad, or even cowboy baked beans in small mason jars so your guests can grab what they want and focus on chatting instead of juggling plates.

You can also do pre-made veggie charcuterie cups with homemade herb dip for a fresh, flavorful touch.

If you’re looking for more ideas for your backyard tailgate menu, here are a few other classic game day favorites:

Appetizers

• Cream Cheese Bean Dip
• Crockpot Meatballs with BBQ Sauce
• Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
• Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball

Main Dishes

• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
• Grilled Hamburgers or Sliders

Side Dishes

• Creamy Broccoli Salad
• Cucumber Penne Pasta Salad
• Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Desserts

• S’mores Cookie Bars

Pro Tip: When planning the menu for your backyard football party, think about what you’ll need for serving, like trays, silverware, bowls, or jars. I like to mix in a few vintage pieces, such as an old crate I found at my grandparents’ farm or a rustic breadboard.

Tip #7 Mix in Some Game Day Fun

Of course, the football game is the main event, but it’s always fun to add a little extra entertainment.

Set out yard games like cornhole, ladder toss, or giant Jenga to keep kids (and adults) busy during halftime or commercial breaks. It gives everyone something to do if they aren’t glued to the TV.

Tip # 8: Don’t Forget the Tunes

The game might provide most of the noise, but having a good playlist in the background before kickoff and during breaks sets the mood.

Keep it light and fun with a mix of classic rock, country, and a few crowd favorites. Nothing too loud, just enough to keep the energy up.

Pro Tip: Bring a portable outdoor speaker so you don’t have to crank up the house speakers. Bonus points if it’s waterproof!

Tip #9: Keep Drinks Cold and Handy

No one wants a warm soda or watered-down drink on game day. Set up a few coolers around your backyard so guests don’t have to crowd around one spot.

Fill them with a mix of canned drinks, bottled water, and other favorites. Remember, not every guest will want alcohol, so make sure there are plenty of options for kids and non-drinkers.

A cooler stocked with sparkling water, juice boxes, sodas, and bottled water keeps things simple and ensures everyone has something to sip while they enjoy the tailgate.

Pro Tip: Everybody loves a signature drink! It’s a fun way to help set the mood of your backyard tailgate, and it’s easy to tie into your theme. You could mix up a pitcher of apple cider mojitos, set out supplies for a DIY Bloody Mary bar, or make a big batch of apple cider sangria in a drink dispenser to serve a crowd. And don’t forget to include some cute and festive DIY football drink stirrer sticks!

Tip #10: Send Guests Home with a Little Something

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but I love the idea of sending friends home with a little treat after your home tailgate party wraps up.

Package up leftover dessert, hand out team-themed koozies, or even let people take home a small mason jar of dip if you made extra.

Shop The Post

Want to recreate this look at home? I’ve linked all the finds I used in this post below! Please know that sometimes things sell out quickly, so if something isn’t available anymore, I’ve linked a similar item that you might love just as much. Happy shopping!

Final Thoughts on Hosting a Backyard Tailgate

That’s a wrap on my top 10 tips for hosting a fun and relaxed backyard football tailgate party.

I would love to hear how you host your tailgate. Share your tips, favorite recipes, or even photos in the comments or tag me on Instagram so we can all celebrate football season together.

Cheers!

More Backyard Tailgate Party Ideas from My Friends

Jen at Midwest Life and Style / Stacy at Bricks ‘n Blooms / Anne and AnnMarie at Simply2Moms

Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse / Kristin at White Arrows Home / Michele at Vintage Home Designs

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