People Share The Beloved Food Traditions That Bring Their Loved Ones Together

Food is more than just a meal — it's a part of tradition. If you're participating in this year's Game Day traditions, you can get everything you need at Walmart.

Food has the power to bring people together, whether that's your grandma's famous tamales that have your family flocking or your uncle's tightly guarded barbecue recipe that has people coming to Game Day parties (even if they aren't sports fans).

Curious about the dishes that connect us to our loved ones, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to share their own food traditions. Here are some of their responses.

1. The treats that bring people together for Game Day

"Growing up, soccer was THE game for our family: My mom would make her famous fruit salad (secret recipe) and my dad would go to the grocery store and pick up all the snacks he could find: chips, powdered donuts, mixed nuts, etc! Since college, the game for me has shifted to football! It’s just such a fun time to get together with friends, and I love all the shenanigans. I’m definitely the one who’s only there for the food — I always bring dessert (a strawberry shortcake or Japanese cheesecake), but my favorite snack item that no one fails to bring is the buffalo chicken dip!!" —Soyoung M.

2. The gumbo the whole family makes

Alexandra Grablewski / Getty Images

“Anytime gumbo is on the menu, we know it’s going to be a family affair. First off, it’s super expensive so everyone pitches in a little something, from cash for the seafood to go in the pot, to desserts, utensils, and more. It’s made the night before so someone has to clean the crab, someone has to devein the shrimp, someone needs to chop the veggies, and someone has to wander in and out of the room to supervise. (Normally, that’s me.) The next day, people start to pile in, and it’s bowl after bowl for hours. BYOT: bring your own plastic containers for to-go boxes. It’s the day everyone looks forward to each year.” — Kit S.

3. The cornbread that has relatives flocking

“My mom generally dislikes cooking, which is unfortunate because she is a great cook. There is one [dish] that stands out, though, which when I was a kid she made only for special occasions: cornbread. My mom is from Louisiana, but we lived in Mexico growing up, and this thing was such a treat and so different from anything we ate on a daily basis that upon hearing she was baking her famous cornbread, relatives would show up to our home unannounced. She once made it for my grandfather’s birthday, and that wonderfully sweet scent enveloped our house and gave me such a high I thought it’d be a good idea to take a giant bite out of it. My grandpa didn't appreciate his bitten cornbread, and I got in serious trouble, but it was worth it. That cornbread was special! ” —Leslie R.

4. The pork and sauerkraut for good luck

Dirkr / Getty Images

“My family is German and as such we have a long tradition of having pork and sauerkraut to bring good luck. Up until I was 18 and moved out of the house, you could miss me with the sauerkraut but since then, whenever I’m home, I pile my plate with the stuff. Not sure if it’s a nostalgia thing or I need all the luck I can get out in the real world, but now I’m a devout krauthead.” —Tim U.

5. The legacy of the homemade meatballs

“My mom’s side of the family is Italian — like, old-school Italian. Sunday dinners were at Mima’s where she painstakingly put together homemade meatballs. The star was her homemade sauce though. I don’t have the recipe since it’s kept pretty tight by my mum and aunt, but I remember hand-crushed tomatoes grown in their garden, homemade basil, and chicken neck (sounds gross but the flavor it imparted in the sauce was godly), and just a symphony of herbs and spices. My Mima passed earlier this year but her memory lives on in her delicious food and homemade recipes.” —Qrimson

6. The "Games Day" snacks and dessert

“As an unofficial adopted member into my best friend's family, I'm in attendance for most of their events, which are always filled with great food. For years they've always had a 'Games Day' celebration where we all play board games and graze with snacks and amazing desserts (Aunt D's AMAZING chocolate chip cookies, cheesy potatoes, charcuterie board). It's the best way to round out the season while eating so well, I practically roll home.” —Emily C.

7. The dessert bars rooted in Nanaimo culture

“I’m Canadian. My family is from Western Canada (BC and Alberta), and I grew up in Vancouver, BC. My mom’s paternal side of the family has roots in Nanaimo, so Nanaimo bars are a very beloved dessert in my family. They’re a staple at most family gatherings. They always remind me of our summer cabin in Nanaimo. I get homesick sometimes when I eat them because I live in Alberta now.” —Sofie

8. The momos the family makes on Fridays

“I would probably say momos, which are basically Nepali dumplings. I remember when I couldn’t even fold them properly! We typically made them once or twice a month on Fridays, and my family and I would all sit together to make them just before dinner. Now, we don’t really eat momos as often, but when we do, the memories of when I was younger all come flooding back in.” —OJ_6145

9. The famous football chicken barbecue

"I'm not into football, but I always look forward to attending my friend Raj's football parties for his delicious coal-grilled chicken barbecue. This chicken is famous within his friend group, and like me, they too look forward to feasting on this dish (as well as taking a couple to-go). Ugh, just the thought of them make my mouth water; the sauce is decadently sticky, tangy, and sweet; the chicken so succulent and tender, it slides off the bone. Raj spends all day grilling this out on the patio, just so his guests can enjoy the game and this annual treat. What a hero!" —Anne F.

Shop these top three Tasty recipes at Walmart for your own Game Day party.

1. Blooming Quesadilla Ring

BuzzFeed Tasty

A fun take on a quesadilla! Crispy, cheesy, yummy, delicious.

Recipe: Blooming Quesadilla Ring | Shop This Recipe

2. Mac And Cheese Garlic Bread Bowl

BuzzFeed Tasty

Creamy, gooey mac and cheese in a delicious garlic bread bowl? A match made in heaven.

Recipe: Mac And Cheese Garlic Bread Bowl | Shop This Recipe

3. Grilled Cheeseburger Bombs

BuzzFeed Tasty

You've never had a cheeseburger like this before. 

Recipe: Grilled Cheeseburger Bombs | Shop This Recipe

Whatever dish you traditionally serve at Game Day celebrations, Walmart has everything you need.

All images via Getty unless otherwise stated.