Tailgating fun for everyone

Invite your favorite fans to a sweet game-day spread that will get everyone in the spirit! From the rustic fall touches to the effortless snack menu, this setting is sure to score smiles

Wow with a snack buffet

A winning game day wouldn’t be complete without an array of tasty snacks presented on a festive “buffet,” like this one styled by party pro Tara Berger (Onestylishparty.com). “I tailored the color scheme of the party to pull in subtle nods to our favorite team,” she said. To get the look, drape a table (or your open trunk) with plaid blankets in your team’s colors. Then line up small hay bales and craft-store wood crates and top with mum pots, trays of food, desserts and a few football-themed accents.

Surprise them with cute apple cupcakes

Kissed with caramel, these apple cupcakes offer a delicious fall flavor pairing. To do: Prepare spice cake mix according to the box instructions, swapping the water for apple cider. Pour batter into paper-lined muffin tins; bake. Simmer 1 cup of apple cider until it reduces to 1⁄ cup, let cool, 4 then whip with 2 (16 oz.) cans of vanilla frosting. Pipe onto cupcakes; drizzle on caramel sauce.

Delight with mac ’n’ cheese bites

Creamy, cheesy macaroni bites are a perfectly poppable appetizer for your buffet. To do: Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a saucepan. Drop spoonfuls of cold mac-and- cheese into a bowl of flour, then into a bowl of beaten eggs, then into a bowl of breadcrumbs. Drop coated bites into the oil, fry for 1 minute and set on a paper towel– lined plate.

Transform your view with a fall garden bouquet

At her gathering, Berger added a bouquet to the buffet for a touch of fall beauty that echoed her team’s colors. For a similar look, fill a 6"-tall pedestal bowl with soaked floral foam. Next, simply cut 2 bouquets of supermarket blooms (in your team’s colors) to lengths between 10" and 12". Insert the shortest stems into middle of foam, forming a rounded shape. Next, insert remaining stems into the outer edge of the foam, angling blooms outward.

Toast the day with a tailgate beer tasting

Beer is the go-to tailgate sip, but you can make the experience feel even more special by offering guests a tasting menu of different brews. First, pick up a selection of at least three different beers (add a cider for a happy hit of fall flavor). Just pour 3 oz. of each variety into clear plastic party cups and place on mini trays in order from lightest to darkest. Instruct guests to try the lightest first. If adding cider to your tasting menu, have guests sample it last, as the fruity flavor will refresh their taste buds.

Kick off festive fun with football-themed flourishes

Every tailgate party should include playful flair that pays tribute to the reason behind your celebration: football! Berger shopped her home for “accents” like helmets, pennants and other little mementos from her favorite team. If you don’t have memorabilia on hand (or don’t want to bring it outside), count on fun, lightweight decorations that can be used anywhere on your buffet, like these festive paper flags (End Zone Football Decorations, $14 for 20, Bigdotofhappiness.com). Or to get a similar look, cut out football, pennant and helmet shapes from scrapbook paper, then secure to dowels using tape. Stake “flags” into candy-filled pedestal vases (as shown here), bouquets or hay bales.