Fall
is a special time of year as the temperatures begin to cool down and nature’s
beauty shifts from shades of green to red, gold, and brown. In the South and especially in Texas, you
also have the arrival of football season. Football season is characterized as a
three month span with Friday nights focused
on high school football games, Saturdays
devoted to college football games, and Sundays
and Mondays to the National Football League.
Even though it sounds like football is the main event, it equally shares that
title with socializing at tailgates and backyard barbeques. As this “season” kicks
off (no pun intended), there are certain “rules of engagement” and pleasantries
one must consider when attending and/or hosting one of these functions.
-Properly organizing a tailgate or barbeque.
If you’re a busy guy or gal, there are several easy ways you can organize a
winning event without having to spend all week planning for game day. First and
thankfully, tailgates and barbeques are typically casual events where
appetizers or simple menus are the norm. They can offer the perfect occasion to host a potluck come-and-go. Most
folks don’t want to come empty handed, so offer suggestions to guests regarding
what they can bring, whether it’s their favorite appetizer or a tasty side to
go with the main dish. If you don’t have
time to cook, you can order take-out from your favorite restaurant or pick up
some great pre-made items from Central Market (for those of us in Texas) or
other gourmet grocers. Also keep the event venue in mind, i.e.; will there be a
microwave or stove top to warm your items or do you need to bring items that
don’t require additional heating. Finally, if you’re willing to spend the big
bucks, there are several catering companies for backyard barbeques and party
rental companies that have tailgating packages, so you can pregame and postgame
in style and not have to worry about set up, cleanup, or anything in between. (Now
that’s what I’m talking about…)
-Always offer to bring something if you’re
not the host or hostess. Even though these are more casual affairs,
offering to bring food or drinks to the event is always a courteous thing to do
even if you know your host doesn’t need any additional assistance. Depending on
the formality of the event, bringing tasty additions can sometime serve as a
host or hostess gift. Also remember that if you have a specific beverage preference,
bring it along for personal enjoyment in addition to what you are bringing to
share.
-If you plan to bring guests, always speak to
the host or hostess first. Backyard barbeques and tailgates can grow
exponentially in the blink of an eye which can result in the host/hostess running
out of food and refreshments early. Therefore, it’s very important to consult
with your host/hostess a few days before the event if you plan to bring a plus
one, so they can plan accordingly. If you are bringing guests, always bring extra
food or drink with you as well, so you can accommodate for their consumption.
Football season is a fun and eventful season, and there
are some great pleasantries you can extend at these events to better enjoy the
passing of the pigskin.
For fun tailgating ideas, check out our Pinterest Page!
Photo Courtesy of: tpsdave
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