The holidays are the perfect time to bring loved ones together so this season we’ve elicited tips from Pure Flix Family Entertainment on ways to make the most out of your next family movie night!
From ice skating to cookie baking, there are so many things to check off your holiday bucket list this season. With the official start of winter right around the corner, the sun is setting sooner and Jack Frost is beginning to blow colder weather into our nights. The festivities don’t need to stop on account of a cold or snowy night! Round up your family for a holiday movie marathon that will be sure to spark some Christmas cheer.
Start with a theme
Picking a general theme for your movie night will offer creative guidance when executing the other parts of your event, such as decorations or food. Get into the spirit of the season by opting for themes such as winter wonderland, Christmas around the world, or Santa’s workshop.
Turn to small festive decor tips to bring the holidays into your home, or build directly on your theme. To create a general wintery feel, decorate the tops of coffee or side tables with sheets of cotton to imitate snow and sprinkle blue glitter on top for an icy look. Get international and celebrate the holidays as other countries would by hanging up flags in addition to the snowy decor. Looking to bring the North Pole to life? Decorate your viewing space traditionally, with lots of red bows, garland, and tinsel! Having a theme can make even the most last-minute and small-scale family movie nights feel polished and put together.
Create the Movie Theater Ambiance
In addition to your scheme of themed decor, go the extra mile and create a cozy ambiance within your viewing space by properly transforming it into a private movie theater. Hang string lights along the walls to create dim lighting and pile blankets onto the couch for optimal comfort. Position tables out of the way to open up the space for additional floor seating, but still close enough to be used as a place for snacks and drinks.
Set up a chalkboard to serve as a “now showing” sign. With so many cheerful Christmas movies to choose from, it would be a shame to only pick one! Instead, present a double feature, writing out the times of each showing. Don’t forget to include a small intermission for bathroom breaks and stocking up on more movie snacks!
Set up a snack bar full of holiday goodies
With so many unique likes and dislikes, you can’t please everyone. Set up a home concession stand in order to offer options for all of your viewers. Fill apothecary jars with different candies and include a scoop for each. Not only will the jars add an old-timey style to your home theater, but the clear glass will show off the vibrant colors of your candy. For an extra holiday feel, opt for the Christmas versions of candies like M&M’s or Hershey Kisses that come in red, green, or silver colors. Get bulk bags of pre-popped popcorn (Kettle, white cheddar, or movie theater butter are great picks!) and set them out next to the candy. Provide snacking bowls for viewers to make a movie mix customized to their taste buds.
Don’t forget the beverages!
All of that candy and popcorn is sure to make you thirsty! In addition to the standard bottle of cola or pitcher of iced water, offer some hotter options to keep viewers warm throughout the entire night. Set up the perfect hot chocolate bar in addition to your fabulous concession stand! Make a batch of stovetop hot chocolates and put them into karafts to keep from cooling off. Get creative in your bases, offering traditional hot cocoa as well as white cocoa or even mayan hot chocolate!
Set up your bar by flavor. In one section, set out shakers with seasonings for add ins, like cinnamon, clove, chili, or orange zest. For peppermint lovers, put out a bowl of crushed up candy canes and another with peppermint patties to melt into your drink. Or, put out full candy canes so viewers can use them as stirrers! For those who want a richer drink, put out decadent truffles, peanut butter cups, hot fudge or caramels. Don’t forget the classics that made hot chocolate the beloved winter drink that it is: mini marshmallows and whipped cream! For those at the viewing who are in need of a little kick, put out a karaft filled will coffee for a quick DIY mocha.
Unhook the velvet ropes for all
Although a night in with the family is much needed during the holiday season to reconnect with one another, don’t shy away from opening one or two showings to members beyond your immediate household, or even friends and neighbors! Make the event feel super exclusive by sending out personalized invitations to your big premiere. ‘Tis the season to spend quality time with those in your life, and there is no better way to show your appreciation for them than with an exclusive invitation to the biggest movie premiere of the season.
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