Movies are more enjoyable when you watch them with your family and friends. A film night can be fun for everybody with just a little hint of planning and preparation.
First, you need to know your audience, so will it be a girls-only event? If so you could turn it into an over-night PJ party or a Movie Binge Watch. Is it for your overnight guests and family or just for the family or is it for the guys? How old or young are those that will be watching the movie?
So, lights, camera, action!
Here are our five tips to host the best movie night ideas at home!
Tip#1 Choose your movie wisely
First, you need to know your audience, so will it be a girls only event, if so you could turn it into an over-night PJ party or a Movie Binge Watch. Is it for your overnight guests and family or just for the family or is it for the guys? How old or young are those that will be watching the movie?
First, get recommendations from your group or find out what genre they would like to watch. Then do a little research before picking the videos that you can buy or rent. It could be a newly released movie, an old, but favorite classic, a documentary, or a replay of a special sporting event. If you subscribe to Amazon Fire TV or Roku, check their listings to see what is available for viewing.
Tip#2 Select your location for your movie night
Outdoors? If you have a portable projector and screen, you could show your movie outdoors after the bonfire dwindles down or end your pool party with a movie on your patio. If you are camping out consider showing a movie before everyone retires for the night.
Do check to be sure that the weather will be good for that night and the area is prepped in advance so it will be bug-free. No one wants to get mosquito bitten or have their movie equipment rained on. Some projectors may require connecting to an outside electrical outlet and a computer, so you will need to have extension cords available for that distance. Secure your screen with a well-anchored frame, and you will be ready for the Outdoor Movie!
Indoors? If you have game room then just prep it for your guests, just add pillows and blankets or sleeping bags for the kids. If you don’t have a game room, then pick the room where the biggest tv is and set it up for comfortable viewing. Make sure the window curtains or blinds can be closed to avoid extra light and that there is adequate seating on how to throw a movie night party.
Tip#3 Decide what snacks and drinks you will provide
When your place is all ready and good to go, you can now prepare for your movie night’s menu.
If it is outdoors, consider having the campout meal with roasted hot dogs on a stick, hamburgers, potatoes wrapped in foil, and a salad for the main meal. Of course, afterward, you need marshmallows to roast and smores to make. You can even fix popcorn over the fire if you have the popper for it. For a real treat, plan ice cream sodas for the group. They are so easy to fix and everyone loves ice cream!
Indoors, there is always popcorn to serve. To make it a little sweeter, toss some M & M’s into the bowl and mix in. If you want to try something else, here’s a list of snacks that you can serve. Adults might like to have a few adult only beverages to drink, and you can make Shirley Temples for the children.
Tip#4 Keep it cushy and comfy
If your venue is outside your home, you can use lawn chairs and loungers or foldable chairs for adults and perch the kids on a picnic blanket with pillows surrounding them, if the ground is slightly damp, consider putting a plastic tarp under the blanket. Younger children may enjoy watching the movie from their riding cars, just like a drive-in theater!
If you want your movie night is indoors, you could gather up a bunch of throw pillows and blankets or sleeping bags for the kids. It doesn’t matter if you buy ’em, borrow ’em, or make ’em—just have something to make sure the floor-sitters feel loved.
Then set up trays for snacking on, either the standing trays or lap trays so everyone will be comfy!
Tip#5 Sit back, relax and enjoy the movie
Your guests will attend to themselves mostly while the movie is playing. So, this is your chance to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your hard work for a while. However, you should make sure drinks and snacks don’t run out. Be prepared to handle your guests’ needs.
And there you have it! It’s time to party! By that, we mean snuggle up and watch the movie, of course! We hope you have the best movie night ever by following these tips!
If your venue is indoors, an indoor mess is inconvenient and can be difficult to manage. You will want need to be ready to clean up afterward or better yet, hire a professional house cleaning service to help you out.
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