It’s tailgate season y’all! With 4 kiddos, and grandparents that are HUGE football fans too, when we tailgate, we go BIG.We take along our portable grill, coolers, chairs, and even team decorations for our truck. We get all decked out in our favorite team gear and prepare our favorite recipes. Coming from a family of 9 siblings, my mom always taught me how to plan for large meals. Head to the local BJ’s Wholesale Club for bulk items at a fraction of the cost.
If you need a fun and tasty recipe for your tailgating party, BJ’s has you covered. Chef Glenn Lyman a BJ’s Wholesale Club Cooking Ambassador, came up with some amazing recipes just in time for your tailgating or your home tailgating party. The QUESO BURGER above is my favorite. What will you make? Sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs?
According to an online survey conducted by BJs Wholesale Club of 1,001 tailgaters on the East Coast, when it comes to sandwiches, burgers (49%) are the clear winner among pre-game partiers, followed by pulled pork (24%) and hotdogs (21%). And according to the research, the most important item for a tailgate is the cooler and ice (71%), followed by the grill (57%).The most forgotten items are bug spray (15%), with sunscreen 11% and trash bags 10% a close second and third!
TAILGATE MUST HAVES:
- COOLER with ice- we bring two! One is full of ice and beverages and the other is full of ice and any food items that require refrigeration.
- Plasticware – cups, plates, bowls, and utensils!
- Paper towels or napkins
- Comfortable folding chairs. One for each family member plus a few extra.
- Portable tables. Don’t forget you need a table for all that food and a table for everyone to eat at.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Trash bags.
- Condiments. Don’t forget salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, mayo, bbq sauces, etc.
- Speaker. My iPhone is just not loud enough so we always bring a big speaker for music and pre-game reports!
- Serving spoons and other serving utensils.
- Portable grill, charcoal or gas, tin foil.
- FOOD AND DRINKS!
- Table cloths in your team color of course.
Clara wants to add: “Don’t forget the cupcakes”: 
Did you know that BJ’s Wholesale Club can be your ONE STOP SHOP for all of the above? Yes! From speakers to burgers and all your plastic and paper goods, BJ’s Wholesale Club has you covered.Right now, BJ’s is offering a Free 90 Day Membership now through December 31, 2016. Shoppers can print the Free 90-Day Membership coupon at www.BJs.com/savings and visit their local BJ’s club to activate their trial.
Now go and enjoy your tailgating party! GO TEAM!
Disclosure: I was provided a gift card to purchase items to help assist with this post. All opinions are my own.
I haven’t been in a tailgate party in a long time and it’s always been a fun experience especially when you’re with family and friends! These are awesome tips and it’s definitely going to help people who are attending for the first time!
BJs sounds great! They have so much stuff there! I have to see if we have one in our area.
This sounds like a great list of items for a tailgate party. Especially the chairs. Of course, good food to eat while sitting in the chairs 😉
I love the list (and I love shopping in bulk!) The cupcakes are super cute. I’d tailgate more often if there were fabulous desserts. 🙂
I havent tailgated in a long time! I need to they are always fun when you have the right people and food!
Shopping at a wholesale club is a great way to save! We do not actually tailgate, but we have a big family gathering to watch the games almost every Sunday, and often require the same essentials.
We were never into tailgating then my son started attending an SEC school. Now we love it. That quest burger looks yummy.
You made the ultimate list. I have to have all of these things! haha
We don’t get to tailgate anymore. However, when we did, it was just like this haha
This is such a great list. I would always make sure to have a cooler with ice to make sure out food and drinks stay cold.
So fun! I have never done any tailgating but it looks so much fun. We aren’t the biggest football fans but recently just went to a game and can see how fun it could be. The food always looks amazing!
We live right down the road from Notre Dame and tailgating is a weekly thing for us. These are all really great things to have on hand to help everyone enjoy the day.
I love the ease of shopping at BJ’s and how they have everything. You know what else I love about BJ’s? Their selection of wholesale organic products for tailgate parties!
I love tailgate season! Love your list of tailgate must-haves!
Yes! Tailgating is one of our most favorite things to do! And these are all definitely must haves! Especially the food! lol
Great to know that BJ’s Wholesale Club covers all your needs for a tailgating party. I know it is so much fun and I miss this kind of activity. Maybe this year we can get together and have a tailgating party. I’m calling my kids and setting a date.
Sounds like a nice place for all needs to have a tailgate party. Love those cupcake-cake!
We usually homegate because I love being able to pause the game and go to the bathroom, etc. 🙂 These must-haves come in handy when we’re homegating too.
BJ’s sounds great. I love that you can get literally everything you need for tailgating in one place. It makes things so much easier.
I have not tailgated since I was a little kid. I had so much fun doing it, but I do not know anybody around here that actually tailgate believe it or not. I may have to tagalong with you guys sometime LOL.
Great post! I’ve never tailgated at a sporting event. Just a concert and that was not all about the food lol. Thanks for sharing!
You really do have all the essentials for a great tail gate party! I love those cupcake cakes, they are a great idea.
I am not into sports, but I could definitely get on board with these tailgating must haves
OH yes, these are for sure tailgate party must haves! So glad you shared these tips, I am going to send it along to my friends!
I love this! Tailgating is so much fun and there’s always so many possibilities when it comes to food! That burger is making me hungry haha!
I love football! It’s so much fun to get together and support your favorite team and of course, EAT! There’s nothing better than tailgating food!
I always go to BJs to pickup our tailgating supplies. They have great prices and large quantities and excellent customer service.
seriously love football season! great ideas for tailgating!
Bj’s sounds pretty awesome. We have been looking for a reasonably priced out door chair. Have some cake for me!
I haven’t been tailgaiting but that Queso Burger is calling out my name. The cupcakes are equally delicious-looking!
I really love the list and that quest burger looks yummy! So glad you shared these tips.
I love tailgating with family or friends its so much fun. The food , fun talks my we always have a great time.