Ladies, have you given into the weekly football parties in your living room? Do you put off what you’d rather be doing around the house on your precious weekend because you’ve got company and don’t want to be rude? Do you find you can’t enjoy your favorite activities with all the ruckus? Are you the good wife that tries to stay out of the way, or perhaps you’ve attempted to adapt to your husband’s enthusiasm by cheering on the team, and tending to his entertainment needs? Do you wish you could reinvent your Sundays?
There is an answer, and yes, if presented in the right way, can even appear as an upgrade to the Sunday football experience for the guys. It is a "man cave" in your backyard; one that can completely disappear and reappear without much effort. The answer is: Canvas tents.
Before you object, just imagine what you could use a sturdy canvas tent for.
- Your own temporary escape
- Enjoy eating outdoors
- Birthday parties, anniversaries, and other celebrations
- A temporary place to store short-term messy projects
- Fun “camp outs” for little ones and slumber parties for teenagers
- Hide surprises
- Hide a hot tub
- Your own anti-football parties!
With a little emotional support, you might find your husband so pleased with you over his new “man cave” that you actually want it to stay up, at least until football season is over. Encourage him to run with his ideas (biting your tongue and keeping in mind the benefits), provide some helpful ideas and ask him how you can assist him in getting set up without stepping on his toes. The last thing you want is him feeling like your trying to take charge and settle for the status quo instead - your living room.
There are some essentials he’ll need to ensure there is no trespassing into your new Sunday sanctum.
- If you’re serious about your peace, you’ll want a port-a-potty. They’re cheaper than you think, and this will add to the “tailgate party” feel.
- You’ll also need electricity; don’t worry, he and his buddies will figure it out.
- They’ll need a TV, but chances are if your house is THEE football spot, you’ve already got that. You might also want to consider a projector television, using a wall as the screen. This will make for one less heavy thing to move.
- A refrigerator or coolers will also be critical. I’d shoot for encouraging coolers. Friends will want to bring along their own treasure chest of booty. Again, this contributes to the “tailgate party” feel.
- A few dim bulbs will be helpful. The best place to start looking is your collection of LED Christmas lights, but also check novelty catalogs and thrift shops.
- As for chairs, you can go the “bring your own” route. This additional preparation for guests will add to the anticipation of the festivities.
- You might want to even offer to assist in creating a 50 yard line in the grass, within the confines of the tent of course.
- As far as food goes, the obvious answer is BBQ! They’re already outside and no pseudo-tailgate party is complete without the smell of burgers and kielbasa.
In the end your only task may be gathering the supplies during your shopping trip and washing up a few dishes.
You get back the house, for a whole afternoon and evening, to do just about anything! Remember those hobbies you haven’t had time for in ages? Maybe you’ll even have the quietude to write that book you’ve been meaning to get to, or finally learn how to paint. Perhaps you’ll be happy just to be able to enjoy a movie marathon or spend quality time with the kids, all because of one simple canvas tent.
You did wish for an extra day in the week, didn’t you?
