The Tailgate Toolkit: Things You Always Need...But Always Forget

NorthPoint

Oct 8, 20242 min read

HUT HUT HIKE! It’s football season, and the Tale of the Tailgate extravaganza is upon us! The laundry list of necessities is so stressful, you go over it a million times before leaving the house. But alas, we've all been there—you forgot the few little things that will save your a$$ in any gametime disaster.

After an hour-long drive and holding your pee (because your pride wouldn’t let you stop on the highway), you finally make it to your tailgating spot. You pop the trunk, ready to grab a cold one after your trot to the porta-potty when it hits you… no bottle opener. Uncle Bob is the only one unfazed by this tragic moment, as his teeth are the last of his priorities. He’s gnawing at the bottle cap like a deranged beaver chewing a tree. Suddenly, from two cars down, your Brand Manager is parkouring over tables and chairs because they’ve got a keychain bottle opener attached to their keys! Phew—no missing teeth, and they’ve become the hero for the thirsty tailgaters.

Speaking of tragic fates, imagine being three bites into your perfectly grilled burger when dark clouds roll in faster than a blitz on 4th and goal. Did you bring a rain jacket or an umbrella? Nope. Now you’re performing an interpretive dance with your burger, trying to shield it from the onslaught of water falling from the sky. As people dive for cover in cars or squeeze under tents, your VP of Marketing and Sales pulls a Hail Mary out of their clear stadium crossbody —a portable poncho! Your burger is saved, along with your tailgate dignity. And we can’t forget the low-key disasters: freezing hands, stale chips, or the dire need for hand sanitizer after a porta-potty prance. Handwarmers, chip clips, and a hand sanitizer & lip balm combo weren’t on your list, but they’re the unsung heroes in the Director of Field Marketing’s clear stadium bag. These items don’t just save the day—they’re the ultimate tailgate heroes swooping in when you unexpectedly need them the most. Let your brand be remembered as the one who foresaw the mini-crises and had just the right promo items to save the party. Trust me, your brand will never look more thoughtful!