5 items to prepare you for tailgating season

Football’s back, which means it’s tailgating season.

We don’t have an NFL team for tailgating yet, but there are always UNLV games, and several NFL stadiums are just a few hours away. Heck, if you wanted to, you could even stake out a good picnic spot, put the game on your device of choice and pretend. Whichever you choose, these things can make your tailgating experience easier or more pleasant.

There never are enough places to put things when you’re tailgating, which makes the Camerons Tailgating Table particularly handy. It has a center mesh basket for snacks and four cup holders, and below it is a cooler, complete with zipper. And the whole thing weighs less than 4 pounds and folds into an included carrying bag. $37.99, amazon.com.

Be sure the Force is with your favorite Jedi by giving him or her the Star Wars Lightsaber BBQ Tongs from Underground Toys. Not only are the tongs functional for turning steaks and chops, they come with authentic “Star Wars” sound effects. $27.99, amazon.com.

With this gadget, you can be sure the steaks are done and pop a beer, almost simultaneously. The Taylor Folding Thermometer & Bottle Opener has a retractable opener, folding probe and large LCD readout, and it has rugged textures for slip resistance. $14.99 at Target.

The Rabbit Discreet Flask is made of plastic and designed to be leak-free, but the lid removes completely to make filling and cleaning a cinch. $10, rabbitwine.com.

The Mako Flat Bottle Opener easilycan be dropped in a pocket so it’s always ready. And when it’s available this fall, it’ll come in eight colors and patterns, so you may even be able to theme it to your favorite team. $6, makobarware.com.