Take Your Tailgating Game to the Next Level with Our Favorite Game Day Picks

September 27, 2024

For many, gathering with friends and family to cheer on the home team is a fall tradition worth looking forward to—and one that deserves lots of planning and thoughtful details. To make your tailgating experience more memorable than the game itself, we’re sharing our game day staples, favorite tabletop décor, and recipes that will have everyone forgetting to check the score.

Pecan Hand Pies

There’s nothing like homemade hand pies on an autumn day, and this recipe will prove it! Buttery crust and a gooey pecan filling will have friends reaching for an early dessert and coming back for more.

Show Your Colors

Let everyone know who you’re rooting for from the first glance—a plaid or checked tablecloth is an autumn must, and selecting one in your team’s trademark colors is a fun way to express your support. This one is one of many options available at Heather Taylor Home.

Chicken Wings with Spicy Mayo Marinade

Add a kick to your kickoff celebrations with this sweet and spicy recipe—just be sure to bring plenty of napkins!

Personal Pep Rally

Hester & Cook’s tabletop products are perfect for more laid-back meals that still deserve a heavy dose of style, and their game day collection is far from an exception. Check out their place mats, place cards, trays, paper plates, and other accents to pep up your table and get everyone in the spirit.

Barbecue Chicken Meatball Sliders

Looking for a fresh take on your favorite tailgating dish? These sliders offer the flavors of barbecue in burger form, and the white sauce that tops them off is an Alabama classic that’s sure to be an instant hit.

Pretty and Practical

Looking to ditch the paper plates for something more stylish? Melamine has been making a comeback for good reason, and there’s no shortage of dish sets to choose from—including this set that comes in a range of shades.

Pimiento Queso Fundido

No game day gathering is complete without chips and dip—and this recipe might just make it the star of your show.

Take a Dip

Whether you try your hand at Taste of the South’s queso recipe or you’re famous for your homemade salsa or spinach dip, it’s important to have a designated dish for proudly presenting your scratch-made treat—like this one from Mikasa.