Extreme Tailgating: Gadgets and Supplies for the Parking Lot Party

When I was in college, tailgating was no more elaborate than a keg of beer in the parking lot with a folding table and a bag of chips. That was then, but oh, how the times have changed! According to Angela Warren, spokesperson for www.Picnic-Basket.com, "The pre-game festivities are becoming events of their own, with high-tech gadgets and supplies that take the parking lot fun to the next level." Here are a few of her "must-have" suggestions:

Cooking and cooling gear: As any true tailgating warrior knows, the basics of the party come down to two things: a grill and a cooler. With that said, many of the newest supplies update the concept by rolling everything into one. At www.Picnic-Basket.com, you’ll find grills combined with insulated coolers and BBQ tools and accessories. Many of the sets are on wheels, in the event you want to take your show on the road.

Comfortable Seating: You’ll never want to sit on cold, hard bleachers again after you’ve tried out the new breed of stadium seats. The latest varieties are made of thick cushioning, but can fold up nicely into over-the-shoulder totes that are easy to carry, especially when there’s a lot to lug around.

Beverages: If you’ve got your sights set on something a little classier than a 6-pack, you’ll want to check www.Picnic-Basket.com for the Martini/Manhattan Sets or the portable Cognac set. These truly are "a party in a case," complete with everything from glasses to coasters and jiggers. If you prefer not to have your pre-game drinks shaken or stirred, check out the wine kits that come with glassware, corkscrews and bottle stoppers.

Dishes and Flatware: The tailgating elite know it’s not what you’re eating, it’s how you present it! To step out of amateur status, impress your fellow partiers with all the accessories, like high-end plates, silverware, and salt & pepper shakers. A far cry from a plastic grocery bag, many sets now come in decorative woven baskets and fabric totes.

So, the next time your Styrofoam cooler starts breaking apart, you may want to consider upgrading to the "big kid’s table" and investing in some supplies like the ones the hard-core tailgaters use. A word of warning though - with all this fun to be had in the parking lot, you may not ever want to go inside the stadium.

Cold Weather Tailgating Picnic Tips

Whether you're a college student, a sports fan family or picnicking on the go, tailgating picnics can be a great way to spend some quality fun time outdoors. An SUV or a pick up and some guests aren't all you need, however. There are many different items and ideas that can improve the quality, the memories and most of all, the convenience of your tailgating picnic.

Staying warm is always the first priority. There is absolutely nothing comforting about being in the outdoors with friends and family while shivering and huddled together. Layered clothing and warm & cozy picnic blankets are a decent way to get some versatility in staying warm and an outdoor heater is a safe way to ensure the less active crowd that they can move around the picnic site in comfort.

A comfortable place to sit, relax and listen to music is very inviting to cold picnickers. So turn the radio on low and create a haven.

For pick up truck tailgating without a shell, place camping pads in the bottom of the truck bed and top with waterproof blankets and some outdoor pillows. This will provide for picnicking guests a place to sit while eating or playing games and cards.

If you have a mini van, remove the back seat and place outside for extra seating. Forgo the camping pads and simply line the open space in the van with blankets and pillows.

For SUV owners, slide the back seat forward as much as you can and use it as a back rest with pillows. Create a circle of portable chairs around the open end of the SUV for extra seating.

Prepare some interesting hot snacks like veggie shish-kabobs and grilled corn. Simply place the fresh vegetables on skewers and grill over an open flame on your portable grill. Another tasty treat, I call hobo veggies. Simply prepare cut vegetables of your choice and place in a container to be cooked later. Your portable cooler will help you keep your veggies cold and ready to cook. At the picnic event, place a small amount of mixed veggies onto squares of aluminum. Top with a dash of Italian, wrap them up and place over flame for up to 10 minutes or until steamed. My suggestion for taste would be cut potatoes, diced green onions, diced carrots, chopped celery, diced bell pepper, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Top with shredded cheese for a baked potato taste!

To entertain guests, bring along a portable DVD player and some classic movies. Board games, cards and puzzles are also a great pick for fun. Or better yet, play 'Finish that Story Line', an improv game. The premise of the game is to create a complete story by going around the circle of guests and having each one add a paragraph. The first player must start the story off with "once upon a time..." and continue the paragraph until the next person jumps in. You will be amazed at the crazy things people imagine!

Enjoy your tailgating fun this holiday season by being warm, safe, and creating some incredible memories. Remember to take your camera and visit picnic-basket.com for all your tailgating accessory needs.