10 Ideas for Throwing an Awesome Home-Gating Football Party

Want to throw the ultimate home-gating party for the Big Game? Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds! Learn how to make football-spirited drinks, food and decorations with things you already have laying around the house.

What’s your favorite part about the Big Game? Rich cheese dips with a twist? Getting together with your friends? Judging the half-time performance and commercials?

Heck, maybe you even watch the game!

Whether you like football or not, the Big Game provides an opportunity to get together with friends or family and grab your fill of fun food. It’s like a bonus holiday! Except planning a “home-gating” party is way less stressful.

For those of us who love to host, football season lets us get creative without having to spend a lot of money. When tailgating NFL games just isn’t an option, you can throw the ultimate home-gating party using things you might already have on hand.

Keep reading for inspiration on hosting your own home-gating football party.

10 Home-Gating Football Party Ideas

From decor and entertainment to food and drinks, our round-up of home-gating ideas is sure to please your guests. Here are a few of our favorite DIY football party tips.

DIY Decor

There’s no shortage of ways to get into the football spirit with your decor. You can find napkins in your team colors or football-themed plates at any dollar store. But if you’re the crafty type, we’ve got some easy DIY decorations that add a more personal touch.

Turf Coasters and Placemats

Have leftover turf remnants from your new home gym flooring or landscaping project? Put them to use with these super crafty football coasters and placemats! We may be a little biased, but this is definitely our favorite football party trick. Find the full instructions on Sugar and Cloth.

SHOP TURF REMNANTS

Related content >> 10 Ways to Use Up Leftover Flooring

Vintage Football Field

Turn an old pallet board into your very own Paint and Wine project! This football field pallet will work for home-gating throughout the football season, or you can make one with your favorite team’s logo. Check out this Wood Pallet Sign Tutorial to learn how to make your own.

Game Day Drinks

You can’t go wrong with a cooler full of cold beer on Game Day, but if you want to take it up a notch, we’ve got some ideas for you.

Beer-garitas

Cold beer + tequila? I’ll watch any football game for that! But seriously, this combo is so good and a great way to shake things up for your home-gating party. Learn how to make beer-garitas here.

Football-Themed Mugs

These football-themed mason jars are perfect for kiddos and non-drinkers. Whether you’re serving soda or hot chocolate, the football mug is an easy touch for a home-gating party. All you have to do is paint the lines or use white vinyl and let the liquid do the rest!

Check out the full instructions for making football mugs on Wine and Glue.

Portable Snacks

Traditional tailgating is all about finger food and snacks that don’t require a lot of work to enjoy. Home-gating is no different! Keep it light and easy with grab-and-go food.

Snack Bags

Keep small paper bags on the table so people can fill them up with chips, popcorn, M&Ms, etc. and take them over to the TV. You can also pre-fill the bags if you really want to save people time.

Have some Patriots fans at your party? Try this New England Patriots Popcorn recipe!

Skewers

Use toothpicks as skewers so people don’t have to get their hands messy or use utensils. Try these skewer-friendly recipes:

• 3-Ingredient Stuffed Mushrooms
• Loaded Tater Tot Skewers

Football-Themed Dessert

Dessert is my favorite part of any party, and football is no exception! Home-gating desserts work best as individualized treats people can grab, like cookies, cupcakes or a snack bag of puppy chow.

People aren’t expecting a fancy trifle or cheesecake on Game Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up your treats. Check out these easy football-themed desserts:

Football Brownies

You don’t have to be Betty Crocker to whip these up. Simply make a batch of brownie batter (just use a box mix, we won’t tell anyone!). Pour the batter into cupcake tins so the brownies are round, like a football. Use a tube of white icing to make your football lines down the middle. Easy and awesome!

Football Pudding Cups

You might think these are more geared toward the kids, but I know an adult woman who would love to see pudding at the dessert table! With its laid-back nature, home-gating is a great time to throw in nostalgic desserts from childhood. Plus, these football-ish pudding cups are easy and fun to make.

Activities for the Non-Sports Fans

The Big Game can be fun for non-football fans as well with all the food and commercials, but providing some extra entertainment can go a long way.

Game Day Bingo Cards

Everyone can get into the game with these Bingo cards! This game is fun for those who will be glued to the game and for any of your friends who want to learn more about how football works (this girl!). Offer a small prize to keep it interesting. Get the football-themed Bingo card printables here.

Funny Party Games

For more ways to entertain your guests, check out these football-themed party games and prize ideas from Play Party Plan.

Score a Touchdown with Your Home-Gating Party

Be warned: Adding a personal touch with these DIY football-party ideas will make your friends want to come back. Your home is about to become the ultimate home-gating spot!

Don’t worry, we’ve got more resources to help you keep up with this hosting lifestyle:

• 20+ Garage Theme Ideas for Your Perfect Space: Ready to transform your garage into an all-out sports bar? Check out this post so you’re ready for next football season.
• This Year’s Top 5 Flooring Ideas: Knowing that friends will be coming over every Sunday might be the perfect reason to get around to remodeling your floors. Keep your home up to date with the current flooring trends.
• Fanmats – NFL Carpet Tiles: Support your team with your flooring! These carpet tiles are perfect for turning your basement into a sports bar.
• The Best Home Theater Carpet for Looks and Sound: Get right in the action by turning your space into a home theater! The right flooring, electronics and accessories will bring the stadium right to your home.

SHOP NFL CARPET TILES SHOP HOME THEATER CARPET

Ready to throw your own home-gating party? Let us know if you try any of these tips. For more home-gating football party ideas, follow our Home Entertaining board on Pinterest.

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