Hosting a Tailgate Party at Home

When it comes to tailgate festivities, many people enjoy joining a bunch of strangers in a park or parking lot to celebrate an upcoming football game. But, when you have the opportunity to gather with friends in your home to host a tailgate party, you have more control of your environment and what you serve.

Offer up the same type of pre-game excitement before settling in to watch the game on your big screen tv. Here are a few of my tips I plan to use this year to create a tailgate memory.

Decorate for the Season

Add a few pumpkins to your food table. They bring in color, height, dimension and life. Spray paint them in your favorite game day colors or leave them as is. Also incorporate gourds, dried corn and husks, and candles for a seasonal touch.

Create an Easy to Eat Menu

Rather than a sit-down meal, serve foods that can be picked up with your fingers. Put out chips and dips, a variety of salsas and tortilla chips, veggies and fruit. Keep in mind diet restrictions and have an assortment of choices so everyone can enjoy the meal.

My menu will include one of my most requested appetizers:

Bacon Cheddar Poppers (with Guacamole and Sour Cream) 

Recipe:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 ounces softened cream cheese
• 48 jalapeno peppers
• 24 bacon strips, cut in half
• Avocados (for a simple guacamole) and sour cream

1. Mix the cheese (cheddar and cream cheese)

2. Cut the tops of the jalapenos off and remove the seeds. Fill each jalapeno with the cheese mixture and wrap in a bacon piece. Hold together with a toothpick.

3. Grill over medium heat, covered, for 8 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Turn so the pepper won’t burn. Offer bowls of guacamole, sour cream, or my favorite sriracha salad dressing found in your local grocer.

I also plan to serve chili, using sturdy, eco-friendly bowls and spoons.

Too Much is Better than Not Enough

Plan for the unexpected guest. It’s always better to have left overs, rather than scramble at the last minute to find extra plates, cups and snacks. If you are grilling, the leftovers will be even better the next day.

Use What You Have

It’s not necessary to break the bank buying items to decorate for the game. Search your closets and cabinets for blankets, thermoses and supplies that you can reinvent to give them a new job. Blankets can be used as table cloths and throws for a chilly day. A variety of vintage thermoses are good for keeping soups warm and serving hot cider.

Avoid Common Grilling Mistakes

• Don’t over douse the grill with lighter fluid. It can be harmful to your health and also creates a fast-burning fire which can erupt and burn you. Instead, purchase self-lighting charcoal or use a propane or gas grill.
• Wash your hands before and after handling food. When you are transferring food to and from the grill, it’s easy to get distracted. Pork, chicken and beef all have bacteria which can be easily transmitted to other surfaces.
• Use a meat thermometer. Especially when grilling pork and chicken, it’s a fool-proof method to ensure your meat is cooked to perfection.
• Grill away from the mainstream of the party. Maintain a healthy distance from people, pets and kids throwing the football.

Set Up a Separate Dessert Table

Getting everything in one place can be challenging. Consider setting up a card table in a different location to serve a variety of sweet treats. Make them simple but delicious. If there will be kids, don’t forget good old fashioned sugar cookies and easy to eat brownie bites.

I’m trying a new recipe this year, thanks to Taste of Home.

Snickerdoodle Blondie Bars

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping: 

• 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and eggs, one at a time.

2. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, spices and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Spread into a greased 9-in. square baking pan.

3. Mix topping ingredients; sprinkle over top. Bake until set and golden brown, 35-40 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

You may also like Tailgate Etiquette Tips. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.