Do some eco-friendly tailgating in style this season.

Whether you are tailgating at college football games in the fall or at weekend soccer games for the kiddos, make sure your next tailgate is a success. Tailgating doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have the comforts of home (within reason) or that you can’t stick to your principles about being green.

Are you often envious of others’ setups? No worries, you just need to up your game a little with a few fun additions. Good tailgating is about planning ahead. Just like you wouldn’t expect your team to take the field without practice, you shouldn’t expect to have a killer tailgate without a little prep work. And a few gadgets make everything go more smoothly. We have a few suggestions to make your next tailgate a touchdown (or insert other sport metaphor here)!

Must-Have Tailgating Goodies

1. Solar Cooker/Grill

Be a grill master and the envy of your tailgate neighbors with a super cool solar cooker. Harness the power of the sun to power your next outdoor get together.

2. Steel Growler

Instead of grabbing a six-pack, fill up your reusable steel growler. Not only is it a more environmentally-friendly option, but allows you to enjoy your favorite microbrew. We won’t tell if you cover this badboy with your team’s stickers, either.

3.Tailgating Games

A tailgate isn’t complete without games like yard Jenga, yardzee, bottle ring toss, cornhole, and more.

4. Crank Blender

Planning an adult beverage friendly tailgate? This cord- and battery-free blender is just what you need. With just a little elbow grease, you can make margaritas, pina coladas, or your slushie beverage of choice.

5. Picnic Basket

A picnic basket full of reusable plates, cups, and utensils is the classy way to handle tailgating and making sure to keep it green.

6. Air Lounger

Chillax with blow up air loungers for the ultimate in relaxation and portability and no pump is required! Get a couple for you and your tailgating guests.

7. Solar Charger

Keep your devices charged up with a handy solar charger. From cell phones to keep up with the game to bluetooth speakers for tunes, a solar charger can keep your day all charged up.

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The post 7 Planet-Friendly Must-Haves for Super Awesome Guilt-Free Tailgating appeared first on EcoSalon.

Outdoor fall party ideas and inspiration help to celebrate the season in style.

Everyone thinks about summer when it comes to outdoor entertaining, but fall is our favorite season for outdoor entertaining and we have some fall party ideas for your inspiration.

Just think about it: in autumn, it’s not stinking hot, there are fewer bugs, the cooler evenings are perfect for outdoor fires, and you don’t have to worry about working around too many vacation schedules. There are also plenty of great autumnal opportunities for entertaining. From tailgates and soccer games to Halloween and Oktoberfest, we’ve some great fall party ideas to make your shindig a super easy success.

Fall Party Ideas and Inspiration

1. Lighting

Since it turns darker earlier, figuring out a lighting solution ahead of time is a necessity for those shindigs that will run later than the afternoon. String lights and mason jar luminaries can work to shed some light, as well as some atmosphere, on your get together.

2. Firepit

There’s nothing more perfect during the autumn season than sitting around a firepit. It’s one of our favorite fall party ideas because it serves multiple purposes–it provides warmth, light, and atmosphere. You can buy an already made firepit, or make a DIY firepit.

3. Signature Drink

Whether you plan on serving adult beverages, every party can benefit from a signature drink. Autumn Sangria is a thing right now; Hot Toddy’s are great on a cooler day, or how about a lovely spiked (or non-spiked) Hot Apple Cider? We also are loving Rob Roy’s now (a variation on the Manhattan) and the scotch is just perfect for the fall season.

4. Picnic Basket

If you are entertaining a small group of friends away from home (like at a tailgate) consider investing in a picnic basket with all the trappings. Not only can you pack favorites like figs, cheese, nuts, olives, crusty bread, dijon mustard, and wine, but you can have real cutlery too! Everyone hates that plastic stuff.

5. Outdoor Games

If you are entertaining outdoors with children, you must include kid-friendly activities for the day. Lawn croquet is fun and appropriate for all ages. A backyard scavenger hunt, cornhole game, and no-carve pumpkin decorating are activities that can entertain kids (and grownups) of all ages.

6. Baked S’mores

Among our fall party ideas, our latest obsession is for baked s’mores. This tasty treat has all the sweetness of over the fire s’mores with the mess. Simply pour one bag of milk chocolate morsels in a cast iron pan. Top with marshmallows and bake on 350 for 10 minutes. Guests can scoop up the goodness with graham crackers.

7. Highlight the Bounty

As far as food, keep it simple, rustic, and emphasize the bounty of the season. A cheese board with figs, nuts, and local honey always satisfies; individual baked apples are easy to make and easy to serve, and pumpkin hummus is a tasty twist on the classic party food.

8. Pumpkins!

Pumpkins are completely necessary at any fall party. They have many uses too. Hollow one out for use as an ice bucket. You can also make pumpkin soup and serve it in a hollowed-out pumpkin. Roasted pumpkin seeds would make a great salty treat (add them to the cheese board). And finally, a pumpkin carving contest would make for the ultimate autumn fun.

Related on EcoSalon

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Add a Backyard Fire Pit and Make the Most of Autumn

Image: Pumpkin Ice Bucket via Shutterstock

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