The secret to any successful Southern party (other than good booze, good friends, and good food) is little bit of quirk when it comes to the table decor—even if you’re celebrating something as time-honored and traditional as the Kentucky Derby. Whether you’re tailgating at Churchill Downs or in your backyard, we’ve collected a short list of items with personality, from custom Derby cookies made exclusively for G&G Mercantile & Co. by Savage’s Bakery in Birmingham, Alabama, to handmade glass julep straws and brass binoculars. Shop all 12 below.
Classic Julep Cup
No Derby day is complete without this stylish standard.
ggmercantileco.com, $55 each
And They’re Off Cocktail Stirrers
Up your garnish game with these winning stirrers. ggmercantileco.com, $22 for 10
Derby Winner Cookies
Run for the Roses butter cookies made exclusively for Garden & Gun Mercantile & Co. by Savage’s Bakery in Birmingham, Alabama. ggmercantileco.com, $55 for 12
Campaign Folding Chair
Campaign chairs are the original tailgating furniture. amazon.com, $271
Godinger Dublin 4-in-1 Cake Dome
Pile tiny country ham biscuits or display dessert inside this old-school cut glass cake dome. amazon.com, $48
Old Modern Handicrafts Brass Binocular
Keep your eyes on the winner with classic brass binoculars. amazon.com, $71
Kate Aspen Kraft Paper Fans
In the South, it’s never a bad idea to provide some form of air-conditioning (like these hand-held paper fans). amazon.com, $12 for 12
Melange 6-Piece Dining Set
These sunny melamine plates look like real china but are durable enough for a picnic. amazon.com, $20 a set
Bedford Rattan Tray
Serve your mint juleps on this breezy cane-and-rattan tray. serenaandlily.com, $148
Endi Pom Pom Napkins
The red trim on these napkins is a festive nod to the Derby’s iconic rose garlands. furbishstudio.com, $48 for six
Glass Straws
History has it that the cocktail straw was invented specifically for the julep. Skip the plastic versions and use these colorful glass sippers instead. food52.com, $38 for 4
The Elizabeth Derby Hat
Set off your look with a stylish hat, like the custom creations designed exclusively for Garden & Gun Mercantile & Co. by milliner Louise Green. Order by April 19th. ggmercantileco.com, $425
Haskell Harris is the founding style director at Garden & Gun. She joined the title in 2008 and covers all things design-focused for the magazine. The House Romantic: Curating Memorable Interiors for a Meaningful Life is her first book. Follow @haskellharris on Instagram.
Garden & Gun has affiliate partnerships and may receive a portion of sales when a reader clicks to buy a product. All products are independently selected by the G&G editorial team.
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