Aggie Tailgate – Skeleton Style

This is a “Skeleton Scene” Post celebrating college football and tailgating – as well as Halloween!!

Skeleton Scenes for Halloween

If you have followed my website for a while you may have noticed that we celebrate Halloween by converting our front yard to various “Skeleton Scenes” during the month of October. We started this tradition during the Covid 19 quarantine – when all of us were looking for something to celebrate, and something to make us smile.

Above is an Aggie yell leader (Texas A&M does not have “cheerleaders” but rather continues the “yell leader” traditions from the years when it was a military school only, and the whole student body was male and in the military). The dog is “Reveille” – the A&M mascot. For more about the Yell Leaders and about Reveille, as well as more photos – scroll down)

Because we live in a Texas Lake Community – our skeleton scenes often celebrate lake life, as well as life in Texas. This particular scene focuses on the fun of college football and tailgating. Because my husband and our son are both Aggies, as are other family members and friends – our tailgate is always for a Texas A&M game.

Needed: A Tailgate

The first item we needed for our tailgate was – A TAILGATE of course! Our ATV was the perfect size vehicle for us to drive on our yard for the event, and – lucky for us – it is the type with a tailgate.

The tailgate worked great for serving food !

A grill is a “must have” item in Texas – so of course we had to have one for our tailgate.

All our tailgate guests are decked out in their Aggie “fan” clothes. Most of the apparel was ours originally, and has been handed down to the skeletons. However, the adorable Aggie shorts, were made by my friend Susan especially for this year’s Aggie Tailgate. These shorts were fitted for the incredibly small skeleton waists – see shorts on the above grill master, and see below on the fan holding the baby. Texas A&M fabric was purchased at JoAnn’s and Amazon.

The children skeletons have Aggie Onesies. These I purchased from “The Warehouse at CC Creations” which is one of the largest apparel stores in College Station (home of Texas A&M). I usually use the 3 -6 month size onesies for 36″ skeletons. The shorts for 36″ skeletons are 0-3 month size from various stores and Amazon. An example of the onesie with th 0-3 month size shorts on a 36″ skeleton is below. I love the way the little onesies honor the Aggie traditions, some with the logo, some with Reveille, and my favorites – “I yell at midnight too” – which honors the Aggie yell practice at midnight on the eve of the Aggie football game and the “Fightin’ Aggie class of 2043???” onesie. (scroll farther down to see many of the onesie choices.

3 Special Guests – 2 Aggie Yell Leaders and “Reveille” (see below)

The “Yell Leaders” are Texas A&M’s group of 5 upperclassman, elected by the students, who serve to lead the fans in yells at Texas Athletic events. The Yell leaders hand signals “announce” each different yell and keep all the fans on the same word of the same yell at the same time. If you ever have the chance to see a football game in College Station – you will definitely notice the stadium rocking with a VERY LOUD series of yells, in amazing unison, that is intimidating to opponents and inspiring to the Aggies!!! For more on this tradition, you may enjoy this post from the Texas A&M foundation.

The Aggie Yell Leaders are dressed in white pants (from my past) and white shirts with an iron on A&M patch from Amazon. Susan also stitched the A&M patch onto the shirt, as our hot humid weather causes iron-on patches to fall off.

For our tailgate, Two Yell Leader’s stopped by, and they brought “Reveille” – The Texas A&M mascot – along with them. In the above picture, the tailgating family’s pet dachshund is curious about the famous canine visitor. (for more about the Reveille tradition – you may want to check out this Reveille post.)

One of our young tailgaters (above) was totally enamored with “Reveille” !!!! … as am I!!!

Other young tailgaters enjoyed the chance to play.

Some played football.

One little Aggie enjoyed dancing! (below)

While another young Aggie practiced her gymnastics moves.

One Little Aggie played “tug of war” with his favorite Golden Retriever!

One Mom enjoyed a pizza, while the youngest Aggie enjoyed his first Ice Cream Cone, which was very refreshing on this 102 degree day!

Details and Origins – for Items in the Aggie Tailgate Skeleton Scene

Note: If you are a fan of another university, it is of course possible to do a tailgate using some of these ideas with different apparel and other items. Of course all the Aggies in the world would prefer an Aggie Tailgate … but we hope you enjoy the tailgate of your choice!

Lights – I used Philips LED lights from Home Depot to have bulbs that stay cooler, and used Bell fixtures from Lowe’s – check voltage of your bulbs and compatibility with this fixture before using, and also that it says LED use, and Outdoor use as well.

Zip ties 14″ Lowe’s

Zip ties 18″ Lowe’s 

60″ Hyde and Eek Poseable skeletons ‘ skeletons – Target online – these are the larger skeletons that I usually order between July and September and have delivered (they often are available in the stores at a certain point too) but I find it much easier to buy online, as they are often sold out in stores well before Halloween. Some of the newer ones have screws at the joints. These screws can be adjusted to be looser or tighter, take care to adjust if needed, as otherwise the bones can crack if “forcing” them to bend when they are tight. Please don’t ask how I know this…

36″ Hyde and Eek Posable Skeletons – Target online – these are the smaller skeletons that I usually order between July and September and have delivered (they often are available in the stores at a certain point too) but I find it much easier to buy online, as they are often sold out in stores well before Halloween. 

Smallest Skeletons – used as babies – I use the 12″, 18″ or 24″ poseable skeletons from Amazon. 

Clothes for 36″ Skeletons – I usually use 0-3 months 3-6 month sizes, but have used up to 1 year sizes with good results. I occasionally use 18 month sizes with safety pins to take them in. I purchase outfits occasionally – such as the Astros onesies for jerseys, and Hobby Lobby craft t-shirts and onesies. Occasionally I shop the end of season sales at other stores. I also check out flea markets and other sales for used items.  I often by multi pack clothes from Amazon – such as 3 pairs of shorts in one package.

Clothes for adults- 5′ skeletons – most often we use our old clothes, and other used apparrel, especially from garage sales, and flea markets. Occasionally Susan and I will make some hard to find items, or items that are hard to “fit” such as the men’s shorts in the Aggie tailgate.

Shoes for Adults – 5′ skeletons – most often I use my discarded shoes. For Flip Flops I usually use ones from Dollar Tree.

Clothes for baby skeletons – occasionally I use clothes from 18″ dolls although I don’t do this often, as the arms and legs aren’t right. Most baby clothes are made by Susan or I. 

Bird Skeleton – Target or Amazon 

Baby Bird Skeletons in nest – Target or Amazon 

Adult Duck Skeletons – Target or Amazon 

Duckling Skeletons – Target or Amazon 

Large Dog Skeleton – Target or Amazon 

Dachshund Skeleton – Target or Amazon 

Unknown Dog Skeleton – Target or Amazon 

“Reveille” Skeleton – Target or Amazon – note: it is hard to find a dog skeleton with ears that look like a Collie’s rather than floppy ears like a Golden Retriever. Due to this problem, I used a wolf skeleton for my “Reveille”

Camp Chairs – Walmart

Texas A&M onesies used on 36″ skeletons (kids). I usually use 0-3 or 3-6 month size, though occasionally I use up to an 18 month size, pinning it with safety pins as needed. – Thewarehouse@cc.com

football and football field dog toys – Petco

A&M Reveille blanket/costume – Texas A&M bookstore approximately 2014.

Dance skirt – Michaels or Hobby Lobby

Grill – Walmart

Plates – I used heavy duty melamine plates so they would not blow away.

Small Aggie football – from The Warehouse at CC Creations, or Texas A&M bookstore, or Kyle Field gift shop, or Aggieland Outfitters.

Play food – Multiple sets from Amazon. Play food is also available at Walmart, Target and other toy stores and toy department. Melissa and Doug play food is a good brand. Check that they will hold up in wet or humid weather.

ATV – Yamaha (not needed- a folding table can work perfectly for serving food at a tailgate)

Tailgating sign – from The Warehouse at CC Creations in 2021. Currently unavailable. Tailgating signs may need to be custom made.

Texas A&M garden size flag – Texas A&M bookstore, Aggieland Outfitter, The Warehouse at CC Creations, etc.

Yell Leaders pants – any white long pants

Yell Leaders’ shirts – White shirt with pocket – Amazon. A&M logo patch – Amazon

Other Posts I Hope You Will Like

To get to the following past posts, click on the links below:

Outdoor Skeleton Posts

Choosing a World for your Skeletons – “Hair-Raising” or “Happy”?

Pickleball – Skeleton Style

Astros Skeleton Team has a “Thrilling and Chilling” Start

The Astros Skeleton Baseball Game – Held Over By Popular Demand

For other Halloween posts you may enjoy the following:

“Haunted Hound” Home Depot Hack

Three of My Favorite Halloween Tablescapes

Comments

I treasure your comments! Please know that I will never share your email address. If you have time I’d love it if your would comment on this post! I would also love it if your could share any comments about your own Halloween style – such as – do you use Skeletons in your Halloween decor? Are they friendly or fearsome? Have you done poseable skeletons in your outdoor decor? Also, I would love it if you would share any of your family friendly college football tailgate experiences! If you would like to comment, please scroll down to the very bottom of this post to the comment section. Thanks so much!

Link Parties

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 
You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 
Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 
Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!
The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!
Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 
April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday
Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  
Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  
Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 
The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!
Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!
Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 
Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 
Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 
Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 
Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 
Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 
Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 
My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday
Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 
French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 
Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!
Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 
Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 
Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 
Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!
Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursday
I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 
Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 
Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 
Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!
Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 
Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 
Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday
Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 
Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 
Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 
Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 
Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 
At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 
Carol at Answer is Choco hosts BFF Link Party. Carol’s website contains lots of ideas about crafts, scrapbooking, recipes and many other things!

Saturday
Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!
Pam’s Party and Practical Tips hosts the “Dare to Share Saturday” Link party – which includes some great party ideas, recipes and crafts!

From Us to YOU – Wishing You a Happy Halloween and a Fantastic Fall!!!!!!!!!