Tailgate at your place: Easy party tips for the next big game

Football season is here, and it's the ideal time to throw a tailgate party in the comfiest and most welcoming place: in your home, in front of the TV, along with your best friends and your favorite foods.

There's no question that football, food and friends make a great combination. At-home tailgate parties are more popular than ever, because football, food and friends make a great combination. In fact, 82 percent of football fans watch games from home and 61 percent host a game day party at home at least once a month, according to an Analytics Research Report, 2013 Football Gameday survey.

Use these tips to give guests the best seat in your house:

__Pregame strategies.__ Prep food in advance. There's nothing worse than spending the entire party stuck in the kitchen cooking and prepping food. Do what you can the day before: Chop veggies and pre-mix ingredients, so on game day all you have to do is heat up your dishes and set everything out.

__Score extra points with party food.__ Pick up a variety of frozen pizzas in fun flavors so there's something for everyone. Or, try recipes for unique pizza creations that are as easy as topping classic flavors, like pepperoni, with more ingredients, such as chopped sweet onion and green pepper, or even sliced deli meat, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce and garlic ranch dressing. Also serve easy-to-eat items that you can have ready to go, such as crackers and cheese, hummus, brownies and more.

__Make sure the field is covered.__ Just as a coach makes sure everything is covered on the field, serve your food on a variety of plates, bowls and cake stands. At different heights, your food spread will look even more visually appealing.

__Congregate on your own 50-yard line.__ The game is the main event. For die-hard fans, make sure your TV is in wide-open view, so nobody misses out on the action. Got more than one TV set? Consider putting it in the kitchen or another popular spot where guests like to congregate.

__Have a halftime show.__ The season kicks off with gorgeous late summer and fall weather, so have footballs, horseshoes, beanbags and other tailgate games ready to go outside. Also, be sure to set out toys in a special kids zone to keep all the little rookies entertained.

__Focus on your fans.__ The dishes will be there later, so enjoy your party and have fun watching the game. By planning in advance, you've no doubt already achieved a winning score with your guests.