Kickoff: Gather Around for Football Season

Football season is here, and with it comes another reason to gather.

Game day doesn't have to mean team-colored everything or an elaborate spread. A few easy things to eat, plenty to share, and a playful touch or two can turn an afternoon watching the game into something that feels a little more special.

For our kickoff table, we're keeping things easy, festive, and ready for a season of game-day gatherings!

Start With the Table  

Our vase-within-a-vase is making another appearance—this time with a game-day twist.

A smaller vase filled with water sits inside a larger clear glass cylinder. Mini footballs fill the space between the two vases, while fresh branches from our Mexican guava tree and simple white mums create the arrangement above.

The footballs make it playful, while the greenery and white flowers keep the centerpiece fresh and simple.

And once the game is over? Take out the footballs and the same vase is ready for its next gathering.

The Game-Day Kickoff Lineup

For our kickoff game, we wanted foods that could be put together quickly, with much of the prep done ahead of time.

• Meatball Sliders
  Warm meatball sliders with mozzarella and arugula. Easy to assemble, easy to serve, and substantial enough for hungry football fans.
• Football Charcuterie Platter
  Our game-day take on a charcuterie board. Start with a large cheese wheel and surround it with crackers, cured meats, cheeses, olives, fruit, and a little rosemary. Add a miniature football for a playful finishing touch.
• Build-Your-Own Nacho Station
  Always a hit—and everyone can make theirs exactly the way they like it. Set out tortilla chips with your favorite toppings and place two small slow cookers alongside:
• Nacho Cheese & Salsa: Mix 2 cans of nacho cheese with fresh or refrigerated salsa. Make it mild or spicy—it's entirely up to you.
• Cheesy Refried Beans: Mix 2 cans of refried beans with shredded cheddar cheese and salsa. Again, adjust the spice level to your crowd.
• Popcorn!
  We have a retro popcorn machine, so around here, no game day is complete without it. Fill a big red-and-white striped popcorn container and let everyone help themselves throughout the game.

A Little Game-Day Fun

**Not everything has to match.

A few miniature football picks, a chalkboard with  GAME DAY, or football-shaped details mixed      among your usual serving pieces are enough to set the mood without turning the entire room into a sports bar.

Use what you already have and add just a little whimsy.

Keep the Drinks Cold

Fill a galvanized tub or large ice bucket with beer, wine, sparkling water and bottled drinks so guests can help themselves.

Add a pitcher of lemon-rosemary sparkling lemonade for something fresh and easy - especially while San Diego is still giving us plenty of summer weather.

And Then...Enjoy the Game

The best game-day gatherings aren't complicated.

Put something good on the table, make it easy for everyone to help themselves, and settle in for the afternoon.

After all, football may be the reason we turned on the television—but gathering around the table is still our favorite part.

🏈 Kickoff. Gather. Savor. Celebrate.