Plan Your Tailgate Party

The fun starts before the football game with your tailgate party. Whether it's flag football, pee-wee, high school, college, semi-pro or pro, sitting in the stands is an exciting way to spend an afternoon or evening and your tailgate party will get the gang ready to cheer.

Use your computer to create a ticket with all of the party information or send a football-shaped pre-made invitation. And if it's a last-minute party plan, then get on the phone, text the information or shoot out an e-mail to invite your gridiron gang to the game.

Here are some tips to make your tailgate party a success.

- Arrive early to ensure a great spot. Many stadiums have special tailgating sections.

- Ask your guests to bring along their own chairs.

- Help friends find you by flying a special helium-filled balloon display or hang up a custom banner.

- When tailgating plan a menu of food that can be prepared ahead of time and transported in insulated containers, are partially prepared or can be cooked quickly at the game in front of your guests.

- Pre-cut foods at home and keep in separate sealed plastic containers or tightly locked plastic bags. This will not only help in preparation and cooking but will keep any meats and side dishes from contaminating each other.

- Be sure to bring along all the cooking essentials that you'll need including tongs, corkscrews, cutting knives, folding tables, tablecloths, meat forks, serving utensils, disposable or unbreakable containers, cups, flatware and plates. Don't forget about can openers, lighters or safety matches, charcoal or gas needed for your grill and anything else you might need to cook and serve your meal. Make a list and be sure to check off all of the items as you load up your vehicle. For greater game style, buy some football-designed party ware.

- Pack foods in reverse order so that the first items to be eaten are the last ones to be packed.

- Keeping things cold is going to be essential for drinks and food so buy or borrow enough ice chests and get enough ice to ensure safety and dining enjoyability.

- For ease of eating, cut foods to bite size so knives aren't required or make sure you create a "no utensils needed" menu of finger foods.

- Don't forget snacks for guests to munch on while they're waiting for the meal.

- If kids are part of your party picture, bring along games, toys and snacks specifically for them.

- Encourage guests to come in football attire or team colors. Or bring along some football-themed accessories (hats, pom-poms, noisemakers and such) to keep them in the spirit.

- Swap recipes and food with nearby tailgating neighbors.

- TV or lap trays are helpful for kid and elderly guest dining.

- For large groups, regular gatherings and cost-savings, create a potluck party or assign guests to bring along specific items such paper goods, flatware, ice, soda, side dishes, games, coolers, football decorations, alcoholic beverages, buns, snacks and so forth. You supply the main dishes and cooking apparatus and your guests will bring everything else. This will make it easier on you and won't be a financial burden on anyone.

- Light up the party at evening games with spotlights, twinkle lights or festive football novelty lights.

- Don't forget clean-up. So be sure to pack wet wipes for sticky fingers and faces and plastic bags for proper trash disposal.

Whether your team wins or loses, your guests will cheer as you win the "Most Valuable Tailgate Host" award.

(For links to purchase italicized football-themed items, click here.)

PLANNING A BUDGET-FRIENDLY COMPANY HOLIDAY PARTY

With money tight during these tough economic times, you may feel that you have to be the Grinch this year and ditch your company holiday party plans. Don't fret. There are still cost-effective ways to reward your employees and show your appreciation without breaking the bank.

GET HELP
Hire a professional planner. You'll be happy to know that through the discounts planners get and their wide range of contacts, you will likely find a planner more affordable than you realize and you and your overworked staff, won't spend precious time on a company celebration. To find a planner near you, visit the website for the International Special Events Society at www.ises.com or drop me an e-mail at PartyPlansPlus@aol.com and I'll be happy to forward a suggestion or two for a qualified planner or vendor.

However, if your money is truly tight, organize the more social staff members into a committee. Not only will they give you input for party ideas, but by making them part of the process, you can guarantee there will be less grumbling about the plans made. Give them your budget and let them decide where best to spend the money allotted.

LET'S GET OUTTA HERE
If you normally hold your company party surrounded by equipment, computers, desks, store merchandise, ringing phones and piles of work to be done, it's tough for your staff to get into the holiday spirit. Move the party to another, more festive site. However, if you don't want to go the hotel or restaurant route, think outside the box and reserve an ice rink for the afternoon, a couple of lanes at the local bowling alley or choose another non-traditional locale. Or pile the gang onto a chartered bus some weeknight, serve drinks and snacks-on-the-go and tour your city's holiday light displays.

If your company is small, hosting the party at your home will really drive home the point that you feel as if your employees are like family. Plus, it can be an affordable alternative to a catering venue.

If you must keep the party at the office, try to move it to your lunch room or conference room that's been appropriately decorated. At the least, invite employees to toss inexpensive, festive tablecloths over their desks so that they're not looking at their workload and turn off the phones or direct them to your answering service.

IT'S THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
Most people like to give to charities during the holiday season. Make it easy for your employees to do so by setting up an area at the party where they can donate non-perishable food items, clothes, and unwrapped toys. These then can be gathered and donated to a charity or two in your area such as the "Toys for Tots," Salvation Army, United Way or Red Cross programs.

Or, if you know that an employee or two are suffering financial hardship due to medical problems, a spouse losing their job or other setback (in fact, you may choose a valued former employee that you had to lay off), have the gifts anonymously delivered to the employee's home by a friendly, non-employee "elf."

BE CONSIDERATE
Remember, not everyone on your staff may be a Christian. It's best to avoid a theme that is strictly Christmas-related. Instead opt to choose a generic winter, "Fantasy in Frost," "Winter Wonderland," or "Snowman Soiree" theme.

FIDDLE WITH THE FEAST
OK, so booking a catering hall for a lavish dinner is out of the budget this year (and possibly politically incorrect if you've had to do lay-offs and cut benefits), but that still isn't a reason to ditch your dinner altogether.

You can serve a lunch buffet, host a late afternoon dessert array or even let everyone have fun with a "build your own sundae" display. Just remember to offer vegan/vegetarian options.

WHEN THE MUSIC MOVES YOU
If you can't afford to bring in a live band or DJ, at least provide a quality sound system with a multi-disc player. Ask your employees to bring in their favorite party or holiday music CDs, set the player on random play and then put someone in charge to periodically change the albums to ensure a variety of music. Many areas have radio stations that feature seasonal music exclusively during the holidays.

Another viable option for entertainment is the use of your "in-house" talent bank. Musical, comedic or theatrical genius may dwell within your employee ranks. At the least, hold a sing-along of holiday ditties.

PEACE ON EARTH AND AT HOME
When the party is held in the afternoon, it's understandable if it's an employee-only affair. However, if it's an evening event, allowing your staff members to bring their spouse or a guest will go a long way to keeping peace, at least in their home.

If you are hosting a family event, be sure to plan extra-special activities, refreshments and gifts for youngsters.

Family events will be appreciated by all. Employees will have an opportunity to spend time with their families and family members will surely enjoy seeing their spouse or parent in their environment and with the co-workers they hear about so frequently.

BE RESPONSIBLE
Provide festive and delicious non-alcoholic drinks for tee-totalers or designated drivers. Depending on the circumstances, it's possible that you might find yourself liable if an employee is involved in an accident while driving home intoxicated from your party.

If you do serve alcohol, limit consumption, provide employees with a ride home, or set up a designated driver car pool.

For a true cost savings, forgo the open bar and serve a festive punch, a variety of wines and soft drinks or create a specialty drink for the celebration.

IT IS BETTER TO GIVE…REAL GIFTS
When selecting a guest gift or take-home favor, avoid an item emblazoned with your company logo. No matter how attractive or useful, it still serves as an advertising specialty rather than a true gift. A perfect present is one personalized with the name of the guest or, at least, one that has been specially selected for that individual.

Of course, cash bonuses for employees are always appreciated as well as gift cards to local supermarkets or department stores or a coupon for a turkey or ham so that they can feel a little less pressure off of their own holiday budget needs.

Finally, this time of year affords you the ideal opportunity to reward your employees with a festive break from their daily pursuits. Your special occasion also can be a time for them to not only mix and mingle with each other, but perhaps with customers or clients as well. Your warm, friendly and fun gathering will be remembered and appreciated by your guests until the next holiday season and you can do it all without blowing your bottom line.