Game Day Tailgating Tips With Jersey Mike's Catering

This post is sponsored by Jersey Mike's but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

You know what makes that fine line of a difference between a good host and an amazing host this Game Day season? It's not allowing the other team's jersey under your roof, or even hand folding buffalo wontons to look like miniature helmets.

I'll let you in on a little secret Momma taught me; give them what they want. Game day may be a rough, tough, drag down and all out fight for superiority and dominance, but you can still be the hostess with the most without having to feel like you just ran 40 yards to get to the touchdown zone.

More often than not, in Southern California, we find an excuse to tailgate at any event involving a stadium, or even arena, but few incite such enthusiasm as American football. And, let's face it, the older we get the less time we have to pack up the truck bed and travel on site to support our teams in person. But just because you have a growing family doesn't mean you have to stop rooting for the home team or your Alma-mater. Whether you're tailgating in a parking lot, grabbing a quick picnic bite and watching the team on your smartphone, or hosting a full on party in your own backyard I have a few tips to make Game Day a simple success.

Serve them what they want!

The tailgating scene is littered with greasy foods that require special handling, lugging around grills and heavy cooking utensils. The parking lot is sure to be full of plenty of the same thing- so be sure to keep the whole crew fueled and smiling with deliciously fresh Jersey Mike's subs.

Jersey Mike's catering menu is a complete game changer, pun intended, when it comes to game day celebration traditions. Order through their convenient mobile app, online, or by phone to have your crew's order ready for pickup on the way to the stadium, or even delivered to office or home addresses.

Choose from a wide menu of Jersey Mike's signature cold subs, delicious bagged chips, fresh baked cookies and brownies, and even salads.

Never turn a friendly face away from your team celebration!

Whether you're simply packing up the family for a day at the stadium, or throwing a full on team rally Jersey Mike's has you covered with catering options such as Subs By The Box (serving 10) or subs by the bag. We love the Jersey Mike's Subs By The Box option for it's versatility of mini sub selection that helps your guests grab a refreshing bite in between a Cornhole toss or Flag Football match.

With the option to add on bottled beverages you won't need to stop at the big box store for extras, your entire grub game is on point and ready for kickoff. You can even add a little extra touchdown to a plate of fresh cookies or brownies- just add them to your Jersey Mike's catering order!

Stay Organized!

You don't have to have the fanciest parking spot in the lot to have an amazing game day experience. A simple picnic blanket and a few chairs with a cooler and Jersey Mike's will hit all the essentials. A great game day event only needs to include: Team Spirit, Great People, and Great Food. Make sure your crew is sporting team colors and gear, always welcome a fellow game day fan (yes, regardless of who they are cheering for) and keep those bellies full in between cheers.

Nobody wants to spend the time right before the game scrambling to clean and get packed, so stick to the essentials when planning a successful tailgate;

Team Gear

Cold Weather Clothing

Pop Up Trash Bin/Oversized Trash Bag

Lawn Chairs/Trunk Pillows

Cornhole/Football/Frisbee

Jersey Mike's Catering

These days a giant television is not needed to tune in the the pre-game broadcast; with modern smartphones you can often stream all of your game day media direct to your tailgate!

One thing we do find ourselves in need of as the festivities progress is a little organization in the drinks department. How many times have you been at a party or tailgate with a hundred identical red cups, soda bottles, or cans? I've come up with a simple little project anyone can do in just 10 minutes to keep their Game Day Tailgate organized.

Simply download and print the following Game Day Foam Finger Drink Marker template.

Cut out each pair of color matched foam fingers.

Lay each pair on top of one another (blank backs touching) and place a strip of clear packing tape on each side to effectively 'seal' them.

Cut along the outside, leaving a 2mm border of clear tape edge.

Glue (we use glue dot stickers) each foam hand to a miniature suction cup, OR cut a little half moon notch in the very top and bottom of each hand to reveal a hollow you can slide your straw directly through!

These Game Day Foam Finger Drink markers pop right onto our Jersey Mike's catering bottled beverages, or slide right over our drink cups so we can easily keep track of who's sipping what in all of the hustle and bustle of game day tailgating.

Lastly, have fun!

Tailgating is much more than great food and colorful clothes- you'll want some killer activities for your guests to participate in. Consider planning a tag football scrimmage at the end of the block, some old fashioned drink pong or darts, or even a soda chugging (or Speed Sub Sandwich Eating) contest!

It doesn't have to be fancy, just something that engages those around you and gets the game day spirit going- after all, socializing and having a great time is really what a tailgate is all about!

How To Bring The Team Celebration Home With #SamsClubTailgating Essentials

Thank you to Sam’s Club for sponsoring today’s post and helping me get ready for tailgating this Football Season.

Momma Told Me: Take that racket outside!

I'll admit, in my adult years, I'm more of a baseball fan; my days of sitting on tailgates in the stadium parking lot were short-lived by my young graduation age and complete lack of direction. More often than not, in Southern California, we find an excuse to tailgate at any event involving a stadium, or even arena; hockey, wrestling/UFC, and concerts are a big draw. I know how to tailgate right, no matter the theme or season, but few incite such enthusiasm as American football. And, let's face it, the older we get the less time we have to pack up the truck bed and travel on site to support our teams in person. But just because you have a growing family doesn't mean you have to stop rooting for the home team or your alma mater.

This season why not throw a backyard tailgating party like none before? On the block I grew up on, which my father still lives, every weekend there are several 'front yard' tailgates with couches on driveways, big screens in garages, bbq's smoking, and neighbors mingling. Each household wears their team colors, and from the flagpole, beneath the American Flag, waves their teams of choice. Whether you're looking to start a tradition of your own, or simply have the biggest tailgating block party of the year, you need to stop by and check out #SamsClubTailgating Essentials, where you'll find all the hottest tailgating essentials grouped in one easy to shop online interface. From NCAA must have team gear and gifts, to the powerful Samsung Soundbar home audio support, and grilling essentials like KC Masterpiece sauce and Velveeta Cheese!

Of course there are a few rules about tailgating at home, especially when it comes to the food. Some regions get pretty intense when it comes to serving up authentic team grub (can you say Louisiana gumbo, yum!) but the general rule of tailgating is the food must be able to be prepared outside, and in large quantities. Never turn a friendly face away from your team celebration! Sam's Club members can stock up on fuss free disposable plates and cups, as well as game day Hormel No Bean Chili, and Hidden Valley Ranch (for all those buffalo wings) with the free online Click N' Pull service. You may recall this service lets busy tailgaters shop online and pick up their order at customer service in between running around looking for team body paint and glitter.

Need a little inspiration when it comes to what to serve? Anytime you can match team colors it's a win; and what better way to do that than big buy portions of your favorite candies? Put out a bowl of mixed team color Skittles with the 54oz Skittles value sized bag found on the Sam's Club Tailgating landing page. Don't worry the holidays are right around the corner and we're sure you'll find some other crafty use for those leftovers, just zip them back up in that bag! If you're really adventurous, you an even make team colored vodka, or other light spirits, by infusing them with a handful of these fruity candies one week prior to your tailgating event! Or try one of my liquid gold (Velveeta) recipe ideas; Dorito's Chicken Dip and Velveeta Fudge!

But tailgating is much more than great food and colorful clothes- you'll want some killer activities for your guests to participate in. Consider planning a tag football scrimmage at the end of the block, some old fashioned beer pong or darts, or even a soda chugging (or wing eating) contest! Most importantly, it wouldn't be a tailgate without the big game, so be sure you've got plenty of juice to bring the big game experience to you garage, living room, or backyard. Might I suggest a humble Samsung 65" 1080p 3D Smart HDTV? After all, you want a reason for your guests to keep coming back, and the eye-splitting detail of this color rich display if sure to help you smell the grass on the field as your favorite team kicks off this weekend!

What are some of your favorite tailgating (or football watching) traditions?

What Daughter Says: Bring your tailgating party home; it's just more fun with more friends!