Start gearing up for college football tailgating! Whether you’re headed to the local university to enjoy the game or have traveled across the state to watch your alma mater crush their rivals, tailgating with friends is always a memorable part of the day. If you’re tailgating with a small group of have reserved a spot for many cars, a few hours of planning and preparation will let you enjoy the afternoon without a hitch. Empty your car of all non-essentials as space will be a premium when packing for a tailgate. Be sure to include emergency jumper cables and a first aid kit so minor emergencies don’t ruin your day. Install quality auto speakers to get all the latest pregame news and trivia. Plan and prepare your food the night before. A large cardboard box lined with a plastic bag and ice can serve as a disposable cooler at the end of the party. Consider using frozen water bottles in the cooler in lieu of ice cubes to prevent the inevitable sloshing of food at the end of the meal. A handy warming drawer can be configured using a cooler lined with foil and outfitted with hot bricks from the grill. Be sure to include condiments, paper products and trash containers along with your food and drink items. Depending on the weather, plan to bring an awning to keep the food out of the direct sun and folding chairs for guests. Everyone will certainly appreciate a stack of blankets (or even beach towels!) to ward off the inevitable fall chill. Consider preparing either drinks or desserts in your team colors. Jello shots in small condiment containers are always a huge hit. With all the fun preparing for the tailgate, enjoying new and old friends, one of the most important pieces is designating a driver to get the crew home safely after an afternoon of drinking and partying. Be safe and have a grand time. Go team!

Michael Peggs is the founder of content marketing agency and SEO agency Marccx Media, where they specialize in SEO and Content Marketing. Before Marcxx, Peggs worked at Google in business development, forming digital media and advertising partnerships. He is also a blogger and podcaster, hosting the iTunes Top 10 New & Noteworthy podcast You University – The Personal Branding Podcast.