Fall Harvest/Football Party

PSU_Texan

Hi Ladies

Starting to plan a fall adults-only party.  I want it to be a party where football happens to be on but not the main focus.  Our friends are from all different schools but enjoy a good college match up.  Any ideas on invitation wording?  Is a 30s/40s crowd too old for tailgate games in the backyard (corn hole, horseshoes, etc)? 

Also, my husband has requested chili be the featured item (on hot dogs, in frito bags, on top of mac n cheese).  Any great chili recipes?  Bonus if they are bean free b/c we're Texans and hate beans in the chili

Any other ideas or recipes I should include?

coolwhipz1

Chili without beans???

That'd be a real bummer for some people. Is it possible that you make two, one with beans and one without? That way your husband gets what he wants but you can have a little more variety?

Just because your husband wants bean free chili doesn't mean everyone else would also.

TarHeels&Rebels

Lol, @coolwhipz1, I promise chili without beans the norm in Texas. Serving it with beans will upset a good number of guests.

OP, have you tried allrecipes.com? I've never had a highly rated recipe from there turn out poorly.

Are you sure your guests will be able to attend a Saturday afternoon party if it's child-free? I understand all the reasons for not wanting kids around, I just don't foresee this particular event having many people attend if their kids aren't welcome.

I don't think any age is too old for lawn games. ILs have been having an annual drunken croquet tournament for over 30 years.

Check my Casual Snacks Pinterest board for things that would be good for this type of event. The fall recipes board might have some good things too. Sounds fun - have a good time!

wejustwant2:)

Hi!  Not sure re: chili... but I wouldn't be able to attend an event like this if I couldn't bring my kids.  Have gone through 4 babysitters recently trying to get a young, responsible, referred young lady to watch my children.  I don't take it personally though - because 3 of them have  never met me or my daughters. The 1st one flaked so that she could go to a party.   It is really hard to find baby-sitters in the summer time.  By now - they've all gone back to college or have "real jobs" life guarding etc. and the kids in my neighborhood don't seem to need the extra money that badly.  (just my observation).  So... my DH and I turned down a great evening invite because we couldn't find anyone to sit for us and - if we were invited to an afternoon event like that where we couldn't bring our children - we just wouldn't go.  So please keep that in mind... though I do understand wanting to have a more adult get-together.  GL and please let us know how it goes.