This is a survival kit of ideas if you're feeling extra gamey. We know what it's like to constantly play and seek the best beach, yard, and house games. Sometimes you're looking to spice it up a bit or just to level up in certain areas. So we thought we would broadcast some slightly under the radar ideas, along with ways to create the perfect game playing setting.

GAME ON!!

BEST GAME TIME FOOD: Pistachios, Cheetos, Jalepeno Poppers, Pigs in a Blanket, Ballpark Peanuts, Cheez Its, Watermelon, Pizza, Goldfish, Charcuterie Board, Mac 'n Cheese Bar, Mashed Potato Bar, PB&J Rx Bars, Southern BBQ, Soft Pretzels, Spring/Egg Rolls, Chicken Wings, Pasta Salad, Low Country Boil, Oyster Roast, Nachos, Smokehouse (smoke literally anything), S'more Station, Caramel Apple Bar, Rice Krispy Treats, Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

TORTILLA CHIPS WITH DIP TRIO:

GUACAMOLE, QUESO, AND

SOUTHWESTERN BEAN DIP*

*diced tomato, fresh or frozen corn, diced red onion, black beans, diced avocado, finely diced jalapeño with seeds extracted, chopped cilantro, lime juice

SAILING IN GREECE

Spanikopita (fast track: go frozen)

Hummus with Veggies and Pita Chips

Gyro Station*

*pita pockets, chicken/

lamb/veggies, tzatziki, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, cheese

DOG BAR

Hot (Ballpark Hot Dog)

Corn (State Fair Corndog)

Cajun (Andouille Sausage)

Spicy (Italian Sausage)

Cluck (Chicken Sausage)

Underdog (Veggie)

Toppings: chili, cheese, fried onion, finely chopped vidalia onion, ketchup, honey mustard, spicy mustard, relish

SOUP KITCHEN

Beef Chili

Vegetable Chili

Chicken Vegetable

Tomato Basil

Brunswick Stew

Broccoli, Potato, Cheddar

Chicken Tortilla or Noodle

Toppings: green onions, shredded Mexican cheese, avocado, crumbled bacon, French fried onions, sour cream, tortilla strips, croutons

Side: baguette

POPCORN STAND

Buttered

Cheddar

Kettle Corn

Old Bay

Herb

Popcorn Chicken

Popcorn Shrimp

Sauces: catsup, mustard, spicy honey, asian zing, polynesian, bbq, cocktail

Candy Corn

GRILLED CHEESE STATION

Basic (American)

Sunrise (Sausage, Egg, Pepperjack)

Piggy Bank (Bacon, Cheddar)

Hogs Heaven (Pulled Pork, Cole Slaw, BBQ Sauce, Cheddar)

Philly (Steak, Peppers, Onions, Swiss)

Caprese (Tomato, Pesto, Mozzarella)

Hawaiian (Pepperoni, Pineapple, Mozzarella)

Thanksgiving (Turkey, Cranberry Jelly, Dill Havarti)

Sauces: horseradish, marinara, tomato chutney

Sides: pickles, reduced fat kettle cooked chips

BEST GAME TIME DRINK: Booze, Non-Alcohol …. either way, get after it, and stay hydrated to stay in the game. Have plenty of metal drink stakes on hand when beach or yard gaming. Try to mix those sophisticated brews from the local nano brewery with those cheap industrial throwbacks that bring you back to your college days. And don't forget about hard ciders, meads, ports, and other more unique libations. Try to find that handcrafted cocktail or mocktail that won't require you to be behind the bar all night, but also allows your guests to have the most memorable night .... or at least a night they wished they remembered (for those cocktail drinkers!). Flavored moonshine (legal and illegal) is always a hit with a certain constituency. And if you're feeling stressed and/or baller for certain parties, then hire help to serve and collect glassware. Same thing goes for the music; sometimes it's helpful to have someone else go wiki wiki on the turntable.

BEST GAME TIME DECOR: Tiki Torches, Firepits, Glow Sticks, Sidewalk Chalk Illustrations, Bistro Lights, Amplified Surround Sound Speakers, Piñatas, Lava Lamps, Flowers (preferably clay), Neon/Black Lights, Tree Uplighting, Photo Booth, Pyrotechnics (including fireworks and sparklers), Ice Sculptures (including liquor/martini luges), Inflatables (including sprinklers), Aquariums, Giant Reusable Balloons, Mirrorballs, Coffee Table Books, TV's/Projectors (art or nature screensaver movies are hip background options, along with anything of sports or outdoors orientation), Fog Machines, Mechanical Bulls, Ant Farms, Hermit Crabs, Box Turtles, Penguins, Unicorns, Dinosaurs, Mermaids, Pirates

BEST GAME TIME SPORTSMANSHIP OR SPORTSWOMANSHIP: High Five, Fist Bump, Chest Bump, Cheers!, Smiles, Encouragement, and a Large Dose of Modesty (bird calls, woop woop!, raise the roofs, rain dances, roundhouse kicks, air guitars, peacocking, electric slides, cupid shuffles, moon walks, crow hops, scissor kicks, flips, cartwheels, and summersaults are often an important part of game strategy and team morale boosting…. but, you know, sometimes you want to act like a ninja who's been there before). If you lose, then skip the complaints, cry babying, excuses, and whining. Try to be graceful and remember there's always a next time and a loss allows for growth and improvement. Plus, double or nothing was created for this purpose. When determining playing order, have you ever heard of ladies first? We usually apply that (unless they prefer going second). Ever heard of respect your elders? We typically apply that (unless they prefer going second). Or we often rock paper scissors to determine the playing order.... you know, why not play a quick game before the game?

BEST GAME TIME MUSIC: Totally depends on preference, but we generally recommend up-tempo and familiar beats played at higher volume (often favoring beach, oldies, country, 80's, hip hop bbq, pop, reggae, and chart toppers). The smaller the group, the spicier the playlist can get .... think bluegrass, jazz, lounge/chillout, jam band, nightclub trance, and so on).

BEST GAME TIME ATTIRE: Trucker Hats, Sunglasses, Flip Flops, Snap Shirts, Hoodies, Neon, Board Shorts, Overalls, Fanny Packs, Hawaiian Leis, Grass Skirts, Kilts, Lederhosen, Togas, Sombreros, Cowboy Boots/Hats, Plaid Pants, Suspenders, Seersucker, Tie Dyes, Bow Ties, Rompers, Temporary Tattoos, Sweatbands, Arm/Leg Warmers, Slap Bracelets, Glow Bracelets/Necklaces

BEST GAME TIME THEMES: Barnyard Rodeo, 80's/Neon Culture, Trip Around the World, Professional Athletics, 1920's Speakeasy, Tropical Getaway, Jeans and White Shirts Family Reunion, Red White and Blue Party in the USA

BEST WAY TO PRACTICE THE GAMES: "We in here talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, we talking about practice. Not a game. Not, not … Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game, but we're talking about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that? … And we talking about practice. I know I supposed to be there. I know I'm supposed to lead by example... I know that... And I'm not.. I'm not shoving it aside, you know, like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I do. I honestly do... But we're talking about practice man. What are we talking about? Practice? We're talking about practice, man. We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We ain't talking about the game. We're talking about practice, man. When you come to the arena, and you see me play, you see me play don't you? You've seen me give everything I've got, right? But we're talking about practice right now." Allen Iverson

BEST PLAN: Do what you can in advance and don't wait until the last minute; failing to plan is planning to fail. Use recipes you've cooked previously. Have bug spray and/or sunscreen available. Have plenty of ice on hand and then get some more. Plan to wrap the party up at a decent hour .... only kidding, party late and just dial back the volume after the cops have made an appearance.