With just one Sunday left before the NFL season returns, the USA TODAY Shopping team has published a guide to help hosts prepare their game day setups. The article, part of the Fall Reset event, focuses on food delivery services, kitchen gadgets, and self-serve options designed to keep hosts out of the kitchen and in front of the TV.

The Fall Reset and Game Day Hosting

The guide is part of USA TODAY Shopping's Fall Reset, a month-long event in August that highlights seasonal deals. The event is divided into four weeks, covering back-to-school, fall vibes, home improvement, and football and Labor Day. Day 24 of the event is dedicated to game day hosting, building on earlier coverage of football season essentials and tailgating.

Recommended Essentials

The article suggests using food delivery services like DoorDash, Instacart, and Goldbelly to order wings, drinks, groceries, and game day food. It also highlights kitchen gadgets such as air fryers, slow cookers, and nugget ice makers to elevate snack spreads. Specific product examples include a football-shaped slow cooker, a chip and dip serving set, a serving platter or snack board, and NFL drinkware.

For those who want to enjoy the game themselves, the guide recommends self-serve options like charcuterie boards and warming trays. These allow guests to help themselves throughout the game, reducing the host's time in the kitchen.

Hosting Tips

The article answers common questions about game day hosting, emphasizing that the best essentials are those that keep everyone fed without keeping the host stuck in the kitchen. It suggests starting with crowd-pleasers like wings, pizza, dips, and snack boards, then adding an air fryer or slow cooker for hot appetizers. Plenty of drinkware and serving pieces are also recommended, along with delivery services to avoid last-minute grocery runs.

Conclusion

The guide aims to help hosts be ready for the upcoming NFL season, ensuring they can cheer their team on all season long with a well-prepared setup.