gift guide: tailgaters + sports fans
NOT MUCH in life evokes the level of fevered passion, rabid loyalty and fierce dedication as sports. Families stop speaking because of them. Best friends get in fist fights over them. Couples get engaged in their stadiums. Newborn babies drive home from the hospital in tiny li’l fan gear to honor them. They unite and divide and inspire us like [almost] nothing else. And if you’re a die-hard sports fan in America, whether it’s for the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, MLS, NHL or ALLLLL of the above, there is likely to be some tailgating that goes along with it, either in your tiny apartment, in the backyard, at the pitch or in the parking lot at the big game. It’s a unique ritual that combines passion for the game, food and tradition into one special kind of gathering.
TAILGATING is a unique kind of entertaining for sure and no matter where you celebrate, having the right tools for the job will make it all more fun. So if you love a dedicated tailgater or are lucky enough to be invited over by one, there are lots of things out there to honor that passion and they make great gifts. I’ve rounded up just a few elevated things that really stand out and will make YOU the real MVP of the game. I’ve also included a little section of awesome books for sports fans of all ages so they can geek out even in the off-season. And if football is where your passion lies, check out Gifts for Swifties and Football Fans for even more ideas. Sko Buffs! GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo
Gifts for Tailgaters
~~ This is so cool. HitchFire is a hitch-mountable, super powerful propane grill that can go anywhere your vehicle can; tailgating, camping, skiing, the park... This beefy F-20 model has two burners for feeding the whole crew and the handy swingarm feature provides easy access to the car’s contents. There are a ton of cool accessories for it, too. My husband would LOVE this thing. ~~ from $499
~~ Take your tailgate to the next- next-level with Yeti's Custom Collection, which allows you to fully customize your drinkwear and COOLER with NFL, NHL, NCAA and MLB logos. ~~ from $20
~~ If you need a little extra surface for drinks, condiments, dessert, food prep or party favors, the Tire Table is a perfect solution. It mounts easily to your tire with zero tools and is nice and stable ‘even’ if the ground isn’t. It comes in two sizes depending on how much room you need. So clever. ~~ from $140
~~ If you’re lucky enough to get to go to the big game, you’ll need a Clear Stadium Bag for all of your essentials. This one is super cute, on-trend and comes in just about any color combo you’d want to show your support for your favorite team. Choose a simple coordinating canvas strap or a blingy sequin one. ~~ from $49
~~ Don’t feel like being your own pit master? You can order THE best of the best BBQ from around the country, delivered straight to your door from Goldbelly. There are tons of options, like a full brisket from Franklin Barbecue that you just heat, serve and take all the credit for. Sounds like a win-win to me. ~~ prices vary
~~ Serve your snacks in style with a set of Bamboozle Mixing Bowls. They can do double duty for prep and serving and come in a set of 5 useful sizes and in two pretty color ways. ~~ $59.99
~~ As if your Solo Stove weren’t awesome enough, they’ve now added a Cookout Kit that adapts your fire pit into a charcoal grill complete with a frame and cast-iron grill top. Super cool. They’ll also etch a custom design into the side of a new Solo Stove, so you can rep your team while you grill [like this]. That’s gifting MVP right there. ~~ $299
~~ Stay on-theme with a personalized bamboo Football Charcuterie Board. You can include any message or leave it blank. This would also be a fantastic gift for a foodie football fan or the host[ess] who’s always inviting you over for the big game. ~~ $20
~~ Every good party needs music or to be able to hear the game. Turtlebox Speakers are loud, crazy durable, portable and waterproof so you don’t have to worry about it when the sleet starts coming down at halftime. They come in a bunch of colors, too, one might even match your team. ~~ $399
~~ This Homesick Game Day Candle is meant to evoke the scents and feels of being at the big game; to transport you through memory to those super exciting days, which is a pretty awesome gift if you ask me. ~~ $38
~~ Crow Canyon Enamelware Trays are perfect for serving your favorite tailgating snacks or dragging a bunch of stuff outside. They’re durable enough to stand up to any rowdy crowd [and pretty, too] and come in several sizes and colors. They also have bowls, cups, plates and other beautiful things for serving. ~~ prices vary
~~ Nothing quite feeds a crowd like a good blue ribbon chili or stew recipe and you might as well make the cooking totally hands-off with a GreenLife Ceramic Slow Cooker. It’s free of PFAS, PFOA, cadmium and lead, so you can feel good about what you're serving your favorite crowd. And it comes in 8 pretty colors, so you can rep your team while it simmers, too. ~~ $59.99
~~ Whether you’re hosting or adding to the spread, Hydro Flask’s Outdoor Kitchen Collection is a game-changer. Their Serving Bowls will keep your salad cold and your taco meat hot for the duration and it’s so easy to transport them to and from with the tight sealed lids. I love mine. ~~ from $24.95
~~ Be the envy of the tailgate with the PARKIT Voyager. Not your average flimsy camp chair, this thing has a built-in, detachable cooler [seriously], the most versatile cup holder around and hands-free carry straps so you don’t have to put down your drink to drag it to the best spot. Plus it’s pretty. There’s also a cooler-less version if you’ve got that covered. ~~ from $170
~~ If chips + dip are on the menu, you might as well serve them in something GOREGOUS like this Handmade Chip and Dip. She has several glazes to choose from and one just might match your team’s colors. Or not, and that’s ok, you’ll be forgiven for going with stunning instead. ~~ $120
~~ Keep all of your condiments handy and in one place with a handmade Personalized BBQ Caddy. It comes in 3 different sizes and you choose what it says to honor your favorite pit master. ~~ from $65
~~ This is so cool. Tidbyt is a handsome, retro display that you can connect to 100+ apps to show real-time weather, sports stats, stock tickers, Spotify tracks and tons more. It can give you a ski report, quiz you about sports trivia or tell you when the next bus is coming, all without having to look constantly at your phone or laptop. So you can enjoy yourself and still get the info you want in real time. It comes in beech or walnut to match any decor and you can even personalize the top panel. Such a cool gift. ~~ $199
~~ Popcorn is always on the menu for my tailgaters and we rely on our Dash Hot Air Popper to do the job. It comes in 4 colors and makes a surprisingly large bowl of popcorn with one go. There’s also a little dish on top that melts the butter while the popcorn pops. ~~ $21.99
~~ I love this Hand-Stamped Vintage Football Spoon for hosting or for the host[ess]. Each spoon is hand-stamped with your own message on a vintage tablespoon. It’s such a unique and special touch to any tailgate and a great gift for any football fan. ~~ $16.99
~~ In your yard or at the field, keep the party going with a team-repped handmade Cornhole Set in every NFL and MLB style. You even get to choose the colors of the 8 bags that come with it. ~~ $235
~~ Keep the game going even after dark with TossBrightz LED Cornhole Lights in a bunch of colors to match your set. ~~ from $24.99
~~ When the toppings are the best part, keep them super fresh with an Ice Cooled Condiment Server. Whether you’re home or at the field, just pop some ice in the bottom and keep your dressing from drooping before it’s time. ~~ $28.99
~~ Honor your hardworking host with a Personalized Apron to keep their fan gear clean while they grill, sauté, braise and boil your game-day grub. It’s made of sturdy cotton canvas and has several options for the types of pockets you like. Plus the apron comes in 8 different colors with about a zillion thread color choices to personalize it in any way you want. Chef, yes, Chef. ~~ $34
~~ Chances are it’s going to get chilly [or downright freezing] at some point while you’re tailgating and nothing takes that chill off like a Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket. They’re warm and cozy, water resistant, packable and machine washable and come in a zillion cool prints. ~~ $99
Books for Sports Fans of All Ages
~~ Remarkable Football Grounds highlights some of the world’s most memorable places to play the game from stunning to quirky. ~~ $34.99
~~ Sportopedia is a super fun, beautifully illustrated book that will introduce your little fans to all kinds of popular and lesser-known sports around the world. ~~ $24
~~ There is a ‘Legends Alphabet’ book for lots of major sports and some specific teams, too [plus Taylor Swift, Fashion, Hop Hop…]. It’s a fun way for any age to honor your favorite pastime. ~~$19.95
~~ NBA 75 takes you on a journey through the history of the sport and the great players and moments that define it. ~~ $35
~~ Sports Illustrated’s The Story of Baseball in 100 Photographs documents the full history of America’s favorite pastime through beautiful images and storytelling. ~~ $26
~~ There are 115 Little People, BIG DREAMS books, including a bunch about favorite athletes [MJ, Pele, Billie Jean King, Simone Biles, Patrick Mahomes… you get the idea] like this one about Leo Messi. They’re awesomefor any age fan. ~~ $15.99
~~ NFL 100: A Century of Pro Football provides a beautiful visual history of America’s most watched game and includes a forward by Peyton Manning. ~~ $55
~~A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers tells the story of this beloved game through the iconic sneakers that have defined each era. ~~ $35
~~ In The National Baseball Hall of Fame Collection, readers are treated to biographies, stats, peeks at rare memorabilia and photos of 175 members of this elite group of athletes. ~~ $40
~~ Learn about the history, rules, equipment and star players of 10 of the most popular sports in The Origins of Sports ~~ $17.95
~~ Fabric of the Game provides a unique peek for fans at how each NHL team got their name and logo ~~ $24.99
~~ The Stanley Cup chronicles the passion and history of hockey through the iconic photo archives of Sports Illustrated. ~~ $45
~~ Fans learn about the true GOATS of basketball throughout the history of the game in NBA Legends. ~~ $29.95
~~ Sports Illustrated’s The Story of Football in 100 Photographs traces the history of America’s most-watched sport through the images that have captured it through the years. ~~ $30
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