We are in a new age of Game Day hosting and there are some things you need to know, but here’s a quick tip: If you have ever thrown a watch party, you know how to homegate. That’s it. That’s all there is to know! In all honesty, our at-home watch parties have a new name. If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen and heard me throw around the term “Homegate” on posts and my stories. Homegating is our new term for at-home watch parties. However, the watch party is now elevated. Think Super Bowl watch party, but for every game. Here are a few tips to host the best homegate.
Step Up Your Food Game: Up the ante. Your regular watch party food needs to go out the window and bring in your tailgate favorites. Fire up your grill and make the burgers, bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, hamburgers and hotdogs, you name it. Also, you can always get creative a make a grazing table. Check out one of my previous posts on grazing tables to create your own!
Games: Every good tailgate has great games and your homegate should have the same! Set up ladder golf in the backyard and an additional spot for corn hole for your backyard event. If you’re keeping the party inside, check out Zane’s Football Poker; a card game that makes the televised game even more interactive. If your party is adults only, you can bring beer pong in for a little collegiate style fun.
Have Multiple Areas to Watch the Game: There a different types of game watchers: Casual, Invested, Could Care Less. The Casual really wants to see the game, but really wants to eat and chat with friends more. This person doesn’t exactly have a favorite to win the game. The Invested needs a seat close to a tv where they can hear the commentators and talk and continue to talk trash with the other guests. Could Care Less is there for a good time. No matter who your guests are, have multiple areas for people to sit and watch the game, or not!
Spot for the Kids: Make your party kid friendly by creating an additional menu just for the kids. Pick up Jersey Mike’s subs or Chik Fil A nugget tray. We all know they aren’t going to like, let alone eat, the specialty menu you have on deck for your guests. Make sure your Kid Zone is far enough from the rowdy adults and close enough to keep an eye on them. Give them space to run around (back yard!) with easy access to snacks and drinks without being in the way. PS: a grazing table for kids, is quick and easy with virtually no clean up!
When in doubt, have an abundance of food and beverages. Make a pitcher or two of your favorite cocktail. All good hosts live by one important rule: always have more food and drink than your guests can consume. The best parties always have good food and a good atmosphere.