A Tailgaters Christmas Story

Christmas is not just for kids anymore. Christmas can be just as fun for us bad ass tailgaters as well. If you notice the date of publication for this article is December 25th. The reason for not taking the day off is because I feel compelled to do a bit of bragging. Ever since my wife surprised me with a gift of season tickets to the San Diego Chargers prior to the 2004 season, many of my Christmas gifts have been tailgating related. In 2004 it was the Coleman Portable Road Trip Grill/Griddle combo that was given to me by my in-laws. The next year it was a 10×10 Portable Pop-Up Canopy. Last year I received a 32 Piece Grilling Tool Set. Can you see a pattern developing yet? By now you would think my tailgating gear is complete and my family could not find any more tailgating gear to give me on Christmas. Yet again, they have outdone themselves.

This year my mother-in-law went all out. She normally asks me to provide her with a few suggestions prior to Christmas just to help her with shopping ideas. I typically provide her with a number of things, not because I am greedy and materialistic, but merely to give her a variety to choose from. Here is what I found waiting for me under the tree this year.

Aluminum Portable Telescoping Flagpole and Tire Mount (19 ft. x 2 in. diameter) – Clever, collapsible flag pole; portable for tailgating, parades, stadium events and home use. This flagpole can be used for any event that you need. Features include : *Four telescoping flag pole sections that snap-lock or twist lock to adjustable height. * Tangle-free hardware to connect flag to the pole. * Flagpole extends up to 19 ft. tall. * Gold aluminum ball ornament. * Removable 4 ft. rotating arm for banner display. * Ground sleeve for in-groud installation. * Heavy-duty plastic tire mount for portable display anywhere your car is parked.

Nylon Oklahoma University Flag (3 ft. x 5 ft.) – Leave no doubt to your school loyalty. Wave this heavyweight nylon and screen printed flag at the next event. This flag has the official team logo and colors. Fly ends are quadruple-stitched for extra durability. Finished with strong canvas header and brass grommets. Pole not included. See our for hanging ideas. Please Note: Due to frequent design changes by the manufacturer the image displayed may vary from the exact design. Allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.

San Diego Chargers 3×5 Flag – Vibrant colors & exciting graphics make this flag a perfect addition to your tailgating celebrations. Durable flag for either indoor or outdoor use! Easy hanging. Please Note: The design of this item changes frequently. As a result the image displayed is a representative image. The exact design may vary from the image shown. One-sided Made of knit polyester Hangs via canvas strip & D-rings Made in the USA

National #N225-813 PB Flag Pole Bracket – Polished Solid Brass, Flag Pole Bracket, To Hold A 3/4″ Pole To Mount Flags Or Banners, Maximum Corrosion Resistance, Mounts On Vertical & Horizontal Surfaces, With Screws. *Manufacturer: NATIONAL MFG CO *Model number: N225-813 *UPC Code: 038613225817 *Length: 1.38 *Width: 3.75 *Height: 3.44

Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave – The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave is the exciting new shape of comfort in desktops. Uniform-size keys cradle your fingers, while the curved keyboard promotes a more ergonomically correct hand position. Also built for comfort, the high-performance laser mouse features contoured sides and soft rubber grips for unmatched precision and control. One-touch controls give you direct access to many of the new features in Windows Vista , including Flip 3D, Zoom, Photo Gallery, and Gadgets. Programmable F-keys add instant access to applications, games, folders and Web pages. A cushioned palm rest encourages a relaxed position for typing.

Obviously the Telescoping Flagpole and Oklahoma and Charger flags are directly designed for tailgating, but what about the home flag mount and the wireless computer keyboard and mouse? How are those relates to tailgating? Let me explain. The home flag mount allows me to show my team colors and loyalty even when I am not tailgating prior to my team’s games. I will surely be flying my Chargers flag at home next Sunday when they take on the dreaded Oakland Raiders up in Oakland. The University of Oklahoma flag will make an appearance on New Year’s Day when the Sooners play in the Fiesta Bowl January 1st.

Okay, so a home flag mounting kit may be a stretch but could fall into the category of tailgating. But how does a keyboard and mouse qualify as a tailgating related Christmas gift? Easy really. I spend so much time working on this website and using the internet to come up with more tailgating ideas, the keyboard and mouse help me “tailgate” every time I am on the computer.

Merry Christmas to everyone and here’s hoping your tree was filled with great tailgating gear much like mine was. I am very thankful for everything I have and here’s hoping the new year brings you much tailgating joy in 2008!