Sports
Step Up Your Game with these 22 Brilliant Tailgating Hacks
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-26.jpg)
This is not about a grill and a cooler of beer: Tailgating is a lifestyle. Tailgating is a staple at almost every sporting event from NASCAR racing to college football games. What better reason to bring family and friends together than a sporting event? During this time of year, some of the biggest sports fans come out to support their teams and some people come out just to enjoy all the commotion and festivities. Before the big day, check out these tailgating hacks to make your game day celebration much easier.
Always keep a toolbox packed with tailgate essentials in the trunk of your car
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Learn the rules of packing a cooler
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Skewer and marinate kebabs the night before
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-3.jpg)
Shape and pack up burger patties between sheets of wax paper the night before, too
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Label your coolers so guests can find drinks easily
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Freeze water bottles to use in place of ice in coolers so you have cold water to drink after they melt
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-7.jpg)
Fill a six-pack holder with your favorite hot sauces and other condiments
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Pack a mini first-aid kit into an old prescription bottle or Altoids tin
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-9.jpg)
Pack extra set of the essentials
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Bring a large plastic tub to haul back dirty dishes
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-11.jpg)
Pack jumper cables
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Bring a metal bucket for still-glowing coals and make sure your grill is extinguished properly
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-13a.jpg)
Turn a cooler into a warming oven using foil and hot bricks
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-14.jpg)
Float a big helium balloon on a long string from your car, so friends can find you
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-15.jpg)
Consider wind direction when you position your grill
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-16.jpg)
Use an empty laundry detergent dispenser as a hand-washing station
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-17.jpg)
Hang a paper towel roll using a bungee cord from the tent struts
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-18.jpg)
Bring a pre-packed set of drawers so everything is handy and organized while you’re cooking
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-19.jpg)
Turn a case of beer into a toss-away drink cooler
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-20.jpg)
For colder months, bring a variety of soups in thermoses and tin mugs
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-22.jpg)
Pack portable jello shots in your team colors
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-23-731x1024.jpg)
Serve a specialty drink in your team’s color with a matching “anti-insect” cupcake liner lid
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-24-682x1024.jpg)
Build a tailgate beer pong table
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-25.jpg)
Most importantly: Make nice, introduce yourself to your neighbors
![](https://suburbanmen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/suburbanmen.com-brilliant-tailgating-tips-20150913-26.jpg)