Football games are kicking off – quite literally – and if you’re from anywhere remotely around here, chances are I don’t need to explain the significance of the season. It’s a shared understanding that weekends in the South are reserved for cheering on your favorite team and digging into at least one dip where the main ingredient consists of cheese. And whether you’re hosting a tailgate party at home or packing up for a full day at the stadium, it’s all about the experience (aside from winning, of course). So, pull out those crockpots and keep reading, because I’m spilling a few of my go-to game day hacks. Go, team, go!
THE GAME PLAN. With a little creativity and planning, you can transform your tailgating area into a touchdown zone in no time. To help you feel like you’re scoring big, here are a few tips to ensure your festivities are full of all the important things: football, food, and fun!
The Snack Stadium: If you haven’t heard of the trend of building a snack stadium, prepare to be impressed. This is a super fun party trick that will send you straight to the top of the tailgating leaderboard. The concept is to mimic the shape of a football stadium using a variety of snacks and elevations. Tiered or angled containers make up the stands while a main dish is positioned in the center of the bottom to represent the field. It’s truly an epic display of food, but don’t be intimidated to give it a try. There are plenty of DIY tutorials online to help you get started, and even kits that can be purchased. And, spoiler alert… my recipe for the ultimate snack mix is a perfect contender to fill a section of the stands.
The Decor: BALLOONS: Consider this your reminder that sometimes the most simple party elements continue to be the most effective. If nothing else, a handful of balloons in your team’s colors is enough to enhance your space and spread the cheerful spirit.
BALLOON STRUCTURE: If you feel inspired to elevate your balloon presentation and possess a knack for balloon arches, forming a goal post out of balloons would be a show-stopping design feature.
TABLECLOTHS: A roll of Kraft paper and a black marker to draw Xs, Os, and arrows is all you need to whip up a tablecloth that resembles a playbook. If you prefer the turf route, a green tablecloth (or rug, if you want it to become a more permanent staple during football season) with strips of white tape to act as yard lines is another innovative solution. With just two supplies each, you’re done and done!
SIGNAGE: Catchy signs and clever labels are always an efficient way to tie in a theme. For example, you could craft a banner that reads “Concession Stand” or “Tackle Your Appetite” to hang by the food spread. If you’re providing the H20, a sign that says “Water Break” would be a perfect finishing detail. Half-time hot dogs, touchdown tacos with quarterback queso, and pigskins in a blanket are just a few sneaky ways to really kick it into the end zone (see what I did there?).
The Competition: While cornhole, ladder ball, and giant Jenga will forever be fan favorites, it might be worth challenging friends to put their money where their mouth is… in the form of a throwing contest. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – you just need a backdrop, a tool for cutting a few holes, a method for hanging or propping up your target, and a football. This could be as effortless as a spare bed sheet tied up between two trees and some scissors. The objective is to generate a couple of different sized holes with some being larger and some being smaller. The smaller the hole, the more points the thrower can earn. Let each person take a turn trying to earn as many points as possible in an allotted time frame, with the champion ringing in the highest amount of points. If they talk a big game, make sure they can throw a big game!
THE ULTIMATE SNACK MIX. While it’s difficult to choose merely one tailgating-worthy recipe to share, I would feel remiss if I didn’t select the most versatile one. Baked low and slow to a perfect crispness and totally absorbed with flavor, this snack mix recipe is destined to have tailgaters reaching for more. It’s the ideal make-ahead dish that’s ready to go out the door when you are, and it doesn’t require heat or refrigeration to stay fresh. This translates to easy prep and even easier travel, a win-win for all!
Marinade Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
- (2) 1-ounce packets ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix
- 4 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Dash of red pepper flakes
Dry Ingredients
- 5 cups corn chex cereal
- 3 cups pretzels (I recommend the butter snaps)
- 3 cups Cheerios cereal
- 3 cups Cheez-It crackers
- 2 cups Goldfish crackers
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 225 degrees.
- Melt the butter in a microwavable-safe bowl. Whisk in the remaining marinade ingredients until well combined.
- Add all dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Pour butter mixture over dry ingredients and stir carefully until evenly coated (a flexible silicone spatula works well).
- Transfer snack mix to a large baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and spread evenly. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Let cool and store in an air-tight container.
*Recipe adapted from thenovicechefblog.com
