Tailgate Picnics

It's football season - and opportunities for tailgate picnics abound! If you're a fan, no doubt you will end up going to one of these time-honored traditions this fall or winter. You've probably got a large, bulky cooler, a couple metal folding chairs and your grill, right? But a tailgate picnic can be so much more than a couple burgers or some fried chicken.

First of all, get yourself a good cooler that will not only hold a bunch of beer or soft drinks, but can handle all of your food as well. The Excursion Deluxe Picnic Trolley for 4 could be just what you're looking for, with separate insulated food and beverage sections, highly durable cross-country wheels and all the plates, utensils, and napkins you need.

Don't forget the BBQ tools! There are a lot of handy traveling sets of quality stainless steel tools out there - it's just a matter of your preference. You could get a BBQ Apron Tote, a Phoenix Deluxe BBQ Basket and Tool set complete with mitts and a chef's hat. Or, impress your friends with the 22-Piece Pyro Deluxe BBQ Set.

Comfortable folding chairs will make your tailgating experience a lot more enjoyable. The canvas ones available nowadays fold up smaller than the traditional metal ones, and are much more versatile. You could use a stadium seat for once the game starts, too!

What about the food? Sure, you're used to cooking hamburgers on the grill and having some potato chips along with them - but there are a lot of different food items you could bring along. Make some delicious meat and vegetable kabobs, marinated in Italian dressing beforehand. Bring along some smoked sausages to throw on the grill - you could throw a full onion, cut in half and placed face down, on the grill as well and serve it all up together in a bun with some hot mustard. The onion will give your sausages an even better, more robust flavor. Don't feel like grilling? Stop at a deli for some sandwiches or better yet, a family Italian restaurant for some stromboli and calzones, which travel well wrapped in aluminum foil. Most of all, get out there and have fun!