Making a Tailgate “Tailgreat”!

Football Season is Here! Is there anything more fun than the quintessential tailgate with family and friends…and the party crashers who show up along the way? The idea of bundling up in college hats, scarfs, mittens and old fur coats on a chilly day for one of the season’s first outdoor sporting events, brings people together in a warm & cozy way in much the same way a good “hot toddy” does!

Oh! BTW, Do you know what a “hot toddy” is? A New Englander through and through, it’s my favorite winter drink…It’s a hot drink with alcohol in it. I make it with apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange or lemon slices, gingerbread brandy or bourbon and honey or maple syrup

My daughters and their mother-in-laws
2015

A martini for Jim! (plastic martini glasses!)
2015

A look back to the 2015 Yale-Harvard tailgate for 30 that evolved into something quite fabulous about a year before LyonsLifestyle was launched. It all began with “Oz”, my daughter’s father-in-law from Cincinnati, on whose bucket list it was to attend a YALE-HARVARD game. Since they were coming east to spend Thanksgiving with us on Nantucket and since our daughter is a Yale graduate, the plan was set in motion and our PARTY OF 8 TURNED INTO PARTY OF 30! We were so excited so many were coming; children, in-laws, boyfriends, girlfriends, parents of boyfriend, lots of friends and family members and of course, the crashers! The word got out and the crowd grew. They hailed from Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, New York City, Orlando and CT, all en route to NEW HAVEN!

YALE-HARVARD at YALE Bowl

“Oz” the man who started it all

Our daughter Brooke who made it all happen
Yale Class of 2003

A look forward to a 2021 tailgate definitely more styled and tuned in! This is a tailgate for 8. It takes some organization and definitely some equipment to cook for and host a party of 8 or 30 at an outside venue! My experience hails from decades of Nantucket beach tailgates, and years of crew regatta tailgates on river banks up and down the east coast. It’s always a great deal of fun! The basics are FOOD, COCKTAILS, FLOWERS & MUSIC. If you’ve got that, you’re on your way no matter the place, no matter the year! But, if you want to make it fabulous and beautiful here is how to begin…

The Tailgate Design

Begin by having a design in mind. Be inspired by something….If it’s a football tailgate, you will likely select the colors of the team you are rooting for. If you’re not committed to a team, then the world is your oyster! For this tailgate, it was all about PLAID, the perfect choice for fall/winter as the colors tend to be primary bright!

I’m just mad about plaids!

My inspiration came from my friends, Kim & Kim, co-founders of the award winning Sailor-Sailor whom I had the pleasure of meeting this fall at the NE Coastal Creative conference in Newport!

2021 Winners of the Preppy Podcast Award for Best Preppy Dresses, the clothing and accessories from Sailor-Sailor sent me over the PLAID EDGE!

Green, blue and red were the colors I chose for this tailgate. I tossed a couple of my large cozy pillows in the back of the car as a backdrop and set my matching blanket as the floor cover for in the tailgate. Adding more plaid to the plaid, I wore my blue plaid Sailor-Sailor fleece caftan , the blue addition to my primary palette and the perfect weight for a crisp, sunny and fairly mild day.

Plaid on plaid on plaid!

Add a touch of whimsy!

Yale Bear on the buffet guarding the martini shaker

Yale bear supervising the Vodka

A team blanket proudly displayed

Add some themey toothpicks to your food

A separate bar is always a good idea. It helps to spread people out. I used a 36 inch square card table which is easily transportable, and dressed it with my RED Plaid Blanket from Sailor-Sailor for my RED Bloody Mary bar!

Red Bloody Mary Bar on Card Table

Bloody Mary Bar in Car

Thread your Blood Mary Olives on skewers ahead of time for easy grab

TAILGREAT

How To Crush at Tailgating by John Currence
Perched on my bar to add to the spirit of the day is a book I received from Kim & Kim! The recipes are easy to follow and the title…. well, it’s just perfect!

Begin by layering colors of pots, plants, disposable dishes and utensils.

Note my Staub and my Crock Pot ….Fill with your favorite soup and chili, both easily heated on your portable grill.

Tips:

Arrive early to get a good space. This is key! It’s also great to have a bit of quiet time to empty your car so you can set up before the rowdies arrive!
Set up your folding buffet table and the back of your car with your blankets and linens. Then you can set up the rest at your leisure…
Arrange your flowers (Do this at home and just set the container/vase out)
Set out your glasses, cups and trays to receive your breakfast offerings. So you’re ready when the early birds arrive.
Get your music going! It gets everyone excited!
Set out your receptacles for recyclables and trash
Don’t forget the paper towels!!!

A Tailgate Checklist:

Setting up the Tailgate. (Print this out!)

Having everything you need is the key. A simple check list is the best idea for not forgetting anything in the flurry of packing the car. And here is why…you will not want to lose your great parking space by having to run out again!

Table (folding) for Buffet
Tablecloths and/or Plaid Blankets for buffet table and back of car
Lawn Chairs (ask your guests to bring their own)
Small Folding Tables (18 inch square are great!)
Coolers (good attractive bucket for beer)
Cooler for Ice ( I know I’m obsessed with ice…but once parked you DON’T leave!)
Ice bucket with tong for table
Receptacles for morning juices
Platters and trays
Plastic Stemware (wine, champagne and tall tumbler)
Hot Cups for Coffee and Hot Chocolate
Portable Grill (with enough propane!)
Plastic trash bags for clean up! Toss everything in then get over to the game!
Flowers/Plants
Team Banner!
Team Blanket is great, too!
Team Stuffed Animals (why not?). It’s a touch of whimsy!
Serving Utensils Pre-wrapped for easy pick up
Grill Utensils
Wine Opener
Paper Towels
Thermal Container for Coffee and Hot Chocolate

YALE Banner!

Tailgate Banner!

Small Red Folding Tables. (I drag these everywhere!)

YALE Blanket

Morning Menu Ideas

You won’t have that many in the morning for breakfast, so keep it simple.

Orange Juice (for Mimosas or plain)
Bloody Marys
Pumpkin Bread
Zucchini Bread
Assortment of Jams
Fruit display
Coffee (milk and sugar)
Hot Chocolate!

Lunch Menu Ideas

Your guests will be getting hungry and your crowd will be growing, so fire up the grill on low and start warming anything that needs heating. We served all but the bottom two from the list below.

Seafood Paella

Assortment of Chips and Salsa
Featuring: Staub Round Cocotte

Cheese platter with grapes and hummus served in carved out lettuce (good to start with)
Assortment of Chips and Salsa
Buffalo Chicken Salad mini-sandwiches
Sausage and Peppers
Seafood Paella (heat on your grill)
Crock Pot filled with Chile (remove inside and place on grill to heat up)
Ham and Cheese Mini Croissants grilled Panini style
Hotdogs & hamburgers with all the fixin’s
Shrimp cocktail
Sandwiches wrapped in brown butcher paper
Mason Jars filled pasta salad (see recipe)

Dessert Ideas

By this time, everyone will be warmed and full. A little sweet they can grab before making their way over to the stadium is the perfect closure to your successful tailgate!