2007 tailgate

Decorating a tailgate is a no brainer. Get everything in your team's school colors; I'm supporting the California Golden Bears so my party will have a blue and gold color scheme. Start by getting as many folding chairs and tables as you can. Use patterns to create depth in an outdoor parking lot setting. Get striped lawn chairs and a checkered tablecloth. Hang streamers from cars or nearby trees to mark your (insert team mascot here) territory. For a uniform look across the tables, get plastic silverware, cups, plates and paper napkins all in the same color scheme. Throw in any special extras: fresh flowers, beer buckets with your school's name, banners that depict a team cheer, etc. Don't forget your portable football shaped grill! Happy tailgating!

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No tailgate is complete without a selection of classic beverages. When it comes to game day cocktails, there are two options. You could go gourmet and pair wines with your football food, or you could go old school and pair beer and Bloody Marys with the grub. I prefer to offer lots of beer. Head to Costco or Bevmo where you can purchase a large quantity of beer for less. Pack a generous amount of bottled water especially if the weather is warm. Either way, it's important to stock your cooler with plenty of ice to last you throughout the day. I even pack an extra cooler with only ice to ensure no shortage occurs.

At my tailgate, I'll make a huge pitcher of Bloody Marias — Bloody Marys made with tequila instead of vodka — to get guests pumped up for the game. Take a look at the recipe, just read more

I'm cheering on my alma mater by hosting a huge pre-game party. I host this tailgate every other year when the game takes place at Stanford. While the menu for the majority of the dishes changes — this year it consists of a variety of tasty football foods complete with chips, dips, and chicken wings — the desserts are always the same two classics. Since we will be enjoying the desserts next to the field, it's important to make something that is transportable and easy to eat.

Chocolate truffle brownies and zesty lemon bars are two crowd pleasing treats that score big points year after year. For these delicious dessert recipes, read more

The biggest game of the year for the California Golden Bears is against their lifelong rival Stanford. Since I was a cheerleader for Cal, I plan on giving my all for "The Big Game." This year the game is at Stanford — aka The Farm — which means it's time for my biennial tailgate! I go all out with lots of blue and gold, and tons of food and drinks. The game is not until Saturday, December 1, but I want to get the invites out now. This way people have time to make travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, and purchase tickets. To see how I made this postcard invite, one that you can adapt to suit your team's colors and mascots, read more