Think about tailgating objectively for a moment.
We voluntarily arrive several hours early for an event so we can stand around a parking lot, eat food from folding tables, occasionally toss beanbags into a hole, and watch some people who can’t handle their liquor.
And we absolutely love it.
Football season is almost here, which means parking lots will soon transform into temporary neighborhoods filled with grills, coolers, folding chairs, team flags, and people who have been awake far too long for a Sunday morning.
So, why exactly do we love tailgating so much?
The Game Becomes an All-Day Affair
A football game lasts about three hours and 15 minutes.
For serious tailgaters, that’s simply not enough.
Tailgating stretches game day into something much bigger. There’s the packing, drive, setup, food, games, conversations and, eventually, the actual football game.
Food Tastes Better in a Parking Lot
I can’t prove this scientifically, but I’m comfortable standing behind it.
A burger at your kitchen table is a burger. A burger eaten outside a stadium with charcoal essence while wearing your lucky jersey and discussing whether this is finally the year is an experience.
Tailgating food doesn’t need to be fancy. In fact, if you prepare foie gras, you’ll get run out of town in many cities.
Burgers, brats, chili, dips, sandwiches, chips, cookies and plenty of snacks all work beautifully. The important thing is having enough.
If you have extra wings, you can throw them at the opposing team.
Everyone Has a Role
Every tailgate has its own cast of characters.
There’s the Grill Master, who guards the cooking area with the intensity of a surgeon. There’s the Organizer, who somehow remembered napkins, utensils, garbage bags and the bottle opener. There’s the Superfan, already analyzing playoff scenarios in September.
Then there’s the person who brought nothing but has strong opinions about the doneness of meat.
You know who you are.
Tradition Is a Powerful Thing
Tailgaters return to the same spots, prepare the same foods and gather with many of the same people year after year.
Those rituals become part of football season. You remember freezing tailgates, rainy tailgates, glorious September afternoons and games you’d prefer never to discuss again.
The traditions keep bringing everyone back.
And Then There’s the Optimism
The secret ingredient.
Before kickoff, anything is possible. Your team is undefeated for the day. The questionable offseason decisions suddenly seem brilliant. That rookie could be a superstar. The playoffs? Practically inevitable.
Ultimately, tailgating gives us an excuse to eat, laugh, reconnect and spend a few hours with people we enjoy (and interlopers we tolerate) before turning our attention to the field.
If the game doesn’t go our way, at least you ate well.
🏈 SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT 🏈
Who knows where the Bears will actually be playing their home games in a few season. What’s certain is that kickoff for their home-opener (at Soldier Field) is noon on September 20th. The other certainty is that we have a fabulous treat for Bears fans. Our Bear Down Football Gift Basket features: 100 Things Bears Fans Should Know And Do Before They Die book; Bears mug; Bears ticket desk sign; Bears chip clips; Bears pens; Bears notepads; cookies; Dipping pretzels; and Honey mustard.
May this be the Bears’ year.
About BasketWorks
BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!
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