I don’t know about you but seeing cut out posters of fans in the stands at the game just seems a bit abnormal to me. And the fake crowd noise is just down right odd. But this is where we are at the moment with this pandemic thing still lurking around.
There is a lot to be said for being at the game, all the excitement, the fresh air, the crazy fans and of course all of the overpriced food & beverage choices. But there is also a lot to be said for the other alternative Homegating.
I would like to provide some “food” for thought as well as ways to enjoy watching the game at home and the advantages of doing so.
So let’s dive right in.
1. It’s easier on the wallet.
The biggest advantage of homegating over tailgating is that you can stay at home and save money. You don’t have to spend on tickets, transportation, other amenities and games, etc. All you need is your own grill and a TV subscription.
2. It’s lower stress.
When tailgating, you have to worry about scoring tickets, finding parking, the weather, etc. When homegating, you have so much less to worry about and can do as much or as little as you choose to setup.
3. Control over the guest list
You can invite a few neighbors, close relatives, friends or close co-workers over without having to coordinate transportation and tracking people down when it’s time to leave.
(Please practice social distancing and require masks when appropriate)
4. Comfort and ease
The great thing about homegating is that it’s in the comfort of your home. Your couch, yard or patio, your TV, and your bathroom, supply the ultimate comfort, not to mention the ability to pause and rewind in case someone distracts at a critical moment.
Let’s also take a look at some other ideas which might make your Homegating event a huge success:
The first thing that comes to mind when someone says tailgating is a barbeque- same goes for homegating. You can prepare the best meats and load up a table with appetizers. Be sure to gather up your crew to grill with and make the experience enjoyable. Barbequing is always more fun with a group, no matter the occasion. Kick things off with some wings and beer. Add a more health-conscious option to the burgers and brats, with shrimp boil skewers or fruit kebabs to mix things up. Nervous about grilling fruit? Check out these tips from Martha Stewart to ease your mind.
- Play a Yard Game to Pass the Time
Cornhole is not just for tailgating, and giant yard games are hysterical, whether it’s giant Jenga, oversized Yahtzee, or Connect Four with super-sized checkers. It may seem corny, but tailgating is as much about having silly fun as it is about getting together with friends and family. Sports and games are all elements of it; the real point is to make memories. The tailgating games you love are just as fun at home! This post has some great yard game suggestions perfect for homegating.
- Make a Photo Booth for Game Day
You can do this easily by just hanging a plain white sheet from the roof of your shed or on a wall. You can DIY a photo booth area with a backdrop and fan paraphernalia, or use a team blanket and order up some fun fan accessories from Fanatics. Hang banners, streamers or pennants, etc. Make it as fun as possible to have a great photo op with your friends and family. Homegating doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice displaying all your typical tailgating fan paraphanelia.
Ask the family music buff to add something for everyone. Sure, there are some classics that shouldn’t be left out under any circumstances, like “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts and “We Are the Champions” by Queen, but the rest of the playlist is up for debate. Make sure you beef up the stereo system with some good outdoor or bluetooth speakers if you’re planning to blast music at a barbeque. Tom’s Guide provides a great list. Like tailgating, homegating starts before the main event, so you want to set the tone.
- Get to Know the Neighbors
Invite your neighbors to your homegating party. Look at it as an opportunity to get to know them better. Or invite your tailgating parking lot neighbors to rekindle some traditional tailgate fun. After all, whether tailgating on location or at home, it is just as much about community as it is about sports to other events.
Barbequing isn’t enough. Make sure you have enough goodies to satisfy everyone’s hunger, including some vegetarian or vegan options. Otherwise, you can cook up burgers, bratwursts, hot dogs, wings, etc. Just make sure that there’s enough for everyone and set it out for an easy access, serve yourself food bar. The great thing about homegating, is you have access to everything in your kitchen and don’t have to worry about forgetting to pack something.
So there you have it , our tips for your Homegating are here for the taking.
For some additional fun, check out these cool ideas from Pinterest.
GO TEAM!
