A Family Affair
Over the summer, we had movie night in our house about twice a week. Now that school’s back in and homework and after-school activities take over our evenings, we’ve cut it back to only on the weekends, and only maybe once. But, regardless family movie night brings us all together to share cartoons, comedies, or adventure movies that we all enjoy. Here are some family movie night tips from Jenn Sbranti, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Hostess with the Mostess. Take your viewing party to the next level with cool, affordable entertainment & electronics like the brand new Star Wars Blu-ray trilogy sets ($39.98/set at Sam’s Club).
Setting the Mood
Get creative with a few fun (and EASY!) decorations inspired by your feature presentation. For a Star Wars viewing party, turn off all the lights, hang white string lights across the room and scatter some glow-in-the-dark stars around the coffee table to help bring the “galaxy” to life in your own living room. Use a little silver craft paint to transform a black paper lantern into the “Death Star”, and hang some movie posters and metallic paper stars for the finishing touch.
Who’s Thirsty?
Sip creative, themed drinks inspired by the movie of the night, such as “Yoda Soda” (lime sherbet + lemon-lime soda) or “Frozen Jedi Juice” for a screening of Star Wars. To make “Frozen Jedi Juice“, partially freeze your favorite flavor of juice or koolaid and serve it “slushy style” from cups embellished with the phrase “May the Freeze be with you.”
Turn it Up
Great sound is key when it comes to bringing movie magic home. Sony’s 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Home Theater System with surround sound (currently on sale for $379 at Sam’s Club) will make it feel like the “Clone Wars” are taking place right next to your couch! And for those times when the mood is more “dance party” than “movie night”, you can utilize the system’s iPod/iPhone dock to crank up the music instead.
Themed Treats
Think outside the popcorn box and serve up clever treats named after elements of the movie, such as “Darth Cheddars” (grilled cheese sandwiches) or “Storm Trooper Sundaes“. Make edible “Light Sabers” by dipping pretzel rods in colored candy melts or tinted white chocolate. After the candy has dried, wrap one end of the “light saber” with tin foil to create the “handle”.
Keep it Simple
Don’t let confusing settings and “multiple remote syndrome” throw a frustrating glitch in your movie night…try a universal remote like Logitech’s Harmony 600 Remote ($44.88 at Sam’s Club) to streamline the process so that even the smallest family members can be in the driver’s seat sometimes!
Brand New Stars
Have little ones do re-enactments of their favorite scenes from the movie you just watched, or capture clips of the kids doing a craft activity or a recipe inspired by the movie. These are the “films” that you’ll love to watch over & over again – long after the movie-of-the-night credits roll!
Prizing and personal copies of the movie provided by Sam’s Club.
