Plan Menu & Do Prep Work:  Start getting ready a day or two before the game. Keep the menu simple and pack prepared food in shallow plastic containers; they help cold foods stay chilled, great to stack on top of each other, and they don't break. You can even use zip-lock bags whenever possible.  This way you can just throw the bags out, instead of trying to clean a bunch of Tupperware containers. 

Make a Check List of the Items:   This is a great way not to forget an item. The last thing you want to happen is looking for something that you need and it's not there. Check off items as you pack. This should include your TICKETS and a whopping $15 for parking!! If you have couple of people attending, make a list of what each person is going to bring. Check below for the full complete list. So many people have come over and ask for fire, bottle opener, charcoal, Gees people, it's a tailgate! Get with it!

Tailgating Supplies:   Bring a large plastic Rubbermaid box with a lid for all your tailgating supplies like paper products, cutlery, trash bags, etc. Get a clear one so you can see inside the box for a quick inventory each week even a Giants one will do.  Also, when football season is over, the box is easily stored in the basement until next year.

Packing the coolers:  Use two insulated plastic coolers-one for drinks, the other for food. With tailgaters going in and out of the drink cooler constantly, this will help foods stay cold until it's time to cook them or eat them. (More important, more room for cold BEER!) Pack foods in reverse order so the last ones packed will be the first ones used.  Make sure you have enough ice to keep the beer cold and the food cool!

Packing the Car:   Try packing your car a couple of ways, you'll find a way that you can pack more items into it. Use all available space

Departure time:   The gates don't open up until 4 hours to game time.  First, check the local traffic report for any delays! 1010 wins does it every ten minutes. Can save you hours from sitting in traffic. I would leave 4 ½ before kick off or a minimum of 3 hours before kick off. You need a minimum of 2 hours to get a good tailgate in.

Dress in team colors:   Show off your pride for the big blue! This is your team that you come, see, and route for. Go out and buy a $10 t-shirt, $20 sweatshirt or even a nice Giants jersey. People actually walk around selling stuff if you are too lazy to head to the store! During the holidays, also show off your spirit too! In Cold  weather, don't forget a hat or headband to keep ears warm, and  gloves to keep fingers from freezing. Stay even warmer when you dress in loose layers. If there is a chance of rain, don't forget rain gear. Remember, tailgaters are the BEST fans.

Last check:   Just look around and make sure that you pack all your items. Make sure nothing was left behind sitting off to the side. One last time, do you have the tickets and $15 dollars? The 2 things that you need to get into the Game! Always bring a camera to catch all of your taigating action. Post your best photos on BBT forum

Tailgate Location:   <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Find a good spot to park. Not all parking spaces are created equal! Park next to a grassy area or at the end of the parking row--this gives you more room for serious tailgating! Choose a parking lot that has a view of the stadium. A tailgate that is not within site of the stadium just doesn't feel right. Always try to park in the same area (16F Crew) for every tailgate; easy way of start making new friends. Fly a Giants flag to easy mark your spot for new people trying to find your tailgate.

Cooking:   Set the grill down wind from where people are gathering. Don't want the wind to blow ash into people eyes. Try to protect the grill from being knocked over by flying footballs, non-alert people, and bad drivers. Bring food that doesn't need any cooking before the cook food is served. (Chips, Dips) Food should be ready 1 and 1/2 hours before the game starts. This is plenty of time for those going to the game to eat, clean up and extinguish fires.

Playing Football:   When throwing a football around, 15 yards is more then enough for a catch. There is no need to try throwing long bombs or unreasonable pass routes into grills of your neighbors. Be courteous to other people property, including cars!! Last thing is you want to do is scratch or dent a drunken person car!!!

Food:   Pack up leftover food safely in clean resalable plastic bags or shallow, airtight plastic containers and store in the cooler. But toss food that's been sitting out for more than two hours. Never reuse leftover marinade. Leave it in the plastic bag and throw it away.

Charcoal:   Don't just dump it out and leave it alone. People are  walking to the stadium and may trip on it. Use an aluminum pan that was use for food and dump the charcoal into it. Use the water from  the melted ice in the cooler to put it out. Can use a beer but it will be stinky, smoky and it's consider beer abuse! Other tailgaters let their grills cool off during the game, and then dispose of the ashes after the game.

Garbage:   Be sure to bring plenty of extra plastic garbage bags for cleanup before heading into the stadium. Pick up all of your garbage and place in a one garbage bag. You can leave it at the back or front of your car. This is including all of your bottles of beer. Too many people run them over while leaving the stadium; it could be you one day!

Time:   Clean up should start about 40mins before the game. Leave extra time if you see lines getting into the stadium.

Don't Leave, Don't leave, Don't leave:   Start another tailgate after the game. Trust me; it's more fun to cook some hot food for the ride home instead of sitting in traffic.

Don't DRINK and DRIVE!!! Nothing more is needed to be said!
Begin thinking about food and friends for the next game