One of the best parts of football season — other than watching your team dominate the scoreboards — is tailgating! It’s a great time filled with good food, drinks, and friends.
The basics are easy to remember (condiments, trash bags, silverware, etc.), but sometimes the innovative and ingenious hacks are what bring the tailgate to a whole new level.
Toolbox
You can find these in just about any home improvement store and turn them into a tailgating kit filled with all of the essentials. From can openers and spatulas to trash bags and sunscreen, a toolbox can hold everything and anything you may need for the best tailgating experience.
It’s also great for keeping everything in one place. You can even keep it in your car so you’re ready to tailgate at any moment.
Freeze Water Bottles
Instead of having to constantly refill your coolers and spend money on bags of ice, you can actually freeze your water bottles. The frozen bottles will keep your drinks and other refrigerated items cool for hours, and then by the end of the game, you will have fresh, cold water to drink.
Hand-Washing Station
This may be one of the most overlooked essentials in tailgating. Though some may settle for a simple hand sanitizer, if you’re cooking with raw meat and marinades, you’ll want to wash your hands with soap and water.
Rather than waiting in long lines and missing tailgating time, you can have a “hand-washing station” nearby so you don’t miss out on the action! An empty laundry detergent dispenser or a cooler with a water spout can be filled with warm water for rinsing your hands — just have soap and paper towels on standby.
Try these tailgating hacks this coming football season — or any sporting season! Whether you’ve been showing up to the games for decades or hosting your first tailgating event, these genius hacks will make your next game easy, fun, and one for the books.