Learn all the pro tips on how to host a tailgate party on a budget! Tailgating can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn tailgating tips to save you money, so you can tailgate on a budget.
We love rooting on our favorite sports teams. But, gas, food, paper supplies, and more tend to add up. Let me walk you through all the ways to cut down some of the cost of tailgating.
Pro Tips On How to Host a Tailgate Party on a Budget
1. Provide The Main Dish
This is one of my favorite tailgate tips. You provide the main dish, and then ask your friends to bring the sides and desserts! What I do is create a list of what people are bringing and share with everyone so we can just add to it, so things don’t get doubled. If anyone needs help, I offer ideas and let them pick.
2. Stockpile Bulk Items
You all know I enjoy shopping at Warehouse Stores! When you go shopping buy items here and there in bulk to stock up. Paper goods, big bags of frozen goods you might need, ingredients, etc. It is a great way to lower the overall cost of the products you are buying.
3. Walking Tacos
Grab little bags of chips and create walking tacos as the theme. This eliminates needing plates and cuts down a lot of costs overall. Then use the bags to pile in all your favorite fixings. A quick, tasty, and easy tailgating recipe to try.
4. Dessert Bar
4. Dessert Bar Skip the main dish and sides and have a dessert only bar. This is where you can make all your favorite sweets to serve up guests. Make boxed brownies and dress up with chopped candy bars, cookies, and more inside. You can find tons of desserts that are so cheap to make that would be great for tailgating.
5. End Of Season Sales
When the year comes to an end always head to your favorite stores and find sales. You might find football-themed paper products and other tailgate essentials. Then place in a closet and keep track of it for the next year of tailgating.
6. Reusable Supplies
Skip the plastic silverware, paper plates, and use reusable. Buy plastic dishware
that you can wash at home. Then take a plastic tote with you for lugging home the dirty dishes, then pop in the dishwasher and clean tote
. Then pack it back up for the next tailgating event.
7. Slow-Cooker Meals
Consider making slow cooker recipes. Items like soup or stews are great for those chilly tailgating moments. A warm bowl of chili or chicken tortilla soup could really warm up your bones. Plus slow cooker meals can be really affordable, and feed a crowd rather easily.
8. Choose The Right Location
Having front row parking is nice but sometimes those spots come at a high price. Consider parking farther away from the event. You might even come across free parking that is legal for you to tailgate at. Or maybe carpool together with another group so you can split one bill for parking vs. multiple vehicles.
9. Second-Hand Shopping
You might be able to find football attire, second-hand gear like coolers, foldable chairs, and more at thrift stores. Or if you are into yard sales look at tailgating gear while you are shopping yard sales this summer.
10. Coupons
Snag that Sunday paper and clip coupons for items you will be buying for your game day entertaining. Also, use apps like Ibotta to earn cash back on supplies you purchase!
What tip do you find helpful for saving money while tailgating?