Living in the South, and the State of Alabama where football is not just a past time, it’s a way of life, I’ve been racking my brain to think of ways to decorate our “manly” tailgate. Keep in mind we generally have 100+ people each week, with set-up between 7-7:30 every Saturday morning that takes a good hour and a half (depending on how many people show up that early to assist) to get the trailer unloaded, tents put up, AV equipment up, TV screen hung, tables unloaded and arranged, grill set up and started, lights hung in the tents, banners hung, flag raised up the flag pole, chairs set up and placed around, etc. Have I mentioned anything yet that remotely sounded PRETTY? There are four of us who are the “board members” if you will, who coordinate and handle all arrangements, and I am the only female on the “board” so needless to say “prettying-up” the tailgate is not a priority. The boys speak new grill and equipment, I speak chandeliers and centerpieces. Guess who looses?
So far I have migrated us away from those horrid plastic see-through tablecloths and upgraded us to some nice vinyl/felt-backed ones. I’m working toward custom-sewn ones for next season. Shhh, don’t tell them that! I’ve already talked to a dear friend who is an amazing seamstress who can take care of that for me. Sewing tablecloths is outside my realm of knowledge! I’m working on getting a chandelier re-wired to be plugged in out there and run off the generator, and painting/decorating it to hang above the food tables. That would add a touch of class don’t you think? When I get it finished I’ll post pictures of it, I’m super-duper excited about it, I think it’s going to be gorgeous!!
Now I’m trying to keep in mind space in our trailer, difficulty of put up and take down, and weather. Our football games can run from 100* at the season opener to 40* by the end of the season and anything in between. It’s a guarantee at some point throughout the season there will be a monsoon, so I am trying to think responsibly, even when I don’t want to.
Since the Christmas decorations are already out, (YEA! My favorite things in the world!!), and our school colors are Crimson and White at The University of Alabama, I’m thinking of taking some red/white garland and wrapping around the tent poles. Not only would that add some color and hide those hideous tent poles, it will add a nice visual texture to the area, don’t you think? I thought of taking large, wide wired ribbon and wrapping around the poles but I really like the texture of the garlands better.
Our tailgate area is surrounded by some HUGE oak trees that are beyond beautiful. I’m going to wrap them in big houndstooth bows.
Now, I need YOUR ideas for a table centerpiece. I’ve got a few I’m kicking around but I’d like to hear your thoughts. Do any of you tailgate in a big fashion? I’d love to hear how you decorate. Or any of you who don’t tailgate, I’m open to any and all suggestions. Just keep in mind they have to be able to withstand all weather conditions, at least for a bit, and have to be very mobile, from week to week. I’d love to use as many recycled materials as possible, the chandelier I have is already a recycle so that’s a big hip-hip-hooray right there!
shabbyjunk 