How to Throw the Perfect Holiday Tailgate Party This Year

Celebrating the holiday season looks a little different this year. Across the country, families are spending the season at home to help stymie the spread of COVID-19. And while there’s no lavish holiday parties or Christmas markets to attend this year, that doesn’t mean there are no fun times to be had. Recently we shared some of our favorite drive-thru holiday light shows to experience this year, and today we’ll offer up some quick tips on how to through a holiday tailgate party that’ll bring friends and family together safely. 

Start with a clean canvas, then decorate!

No one wants to arrive at a tailgate with a dirty car. No need to break out the big guns – a simple wash and vacuum will do. Once you’ve got a clean canvass to work with, it’s time to get decorating. Perhaps you and your guests have a specific theme in mind (‘favorite holiday movies’ is always a good choice), or just want to keep it general, either way, the more creative you can be, the better. 

Holiday tailgate party idea

String lights, cozy throw blankets, and letter boards with sweet holiday greetings are a few simple ways to add some festivity to your setup. Oh, and don’t forget to pack a few folding chairs so you don’t end up having to cram into the back with all of your decorations. 

Get creative with your party snacks

Decorating is fun, but the real star of your holiday tailgate party should be the food. Wintertime tailgate parties open up a whole new realm of possibilities, from gingerbread cookies, to dipped pretzels, to a hot cocoa bar and everything in between. For maximum organization and safety, consider pre-portioning out snacks and drinks, or encouraging everyone to BYO their snacks and drinks. 

Put safety first for your holiday tailgate party

Of course, keeping everyone safe should be top priority when planning any kind of alternative holiday gathering this year. Keep the guest-list small, and make sure everyone is on the same page about mask-wearing and social distancing. To make it easier for everyone to see each other and catch up, consider finding an empty lot and parking with everyone’s trunks facing each other. 

Even though we have to make a few adjustments to our celebrations this year, that doesn’t mean we still can’t make merry with friends and family. Happy Holidays, and stay safe this year.