Post a commentPlug into family movie night
With weekends of cold and wet weather, I am reminded that winter is well on its way. With cooler days, it is tougher to find low-cost, free or fun events to entertain the family. No matter what age your household includes, finding something new and fun can be tough. My suggestion for this week may sound old (I’d call it tried and true), but I think adding new fun twists can make it fresh and exciting once again.
For this week’s activity, consider a Family Movie Night (or Couples’ Movie Night, or Single Ladies’/Guys’ Night). No matter the family make-up, you can create an evening of favorite flicks for low or no cost to entertain all.
In our house, a Family Movie Night is a nearly weekly staple. With two young children, we have a plethora of Disney movies alone to keep the tradition alive. We usually plan a cozy dinner, like pizza or soup and sandwiches, then curl up with a few blankets and enjoy our favorite movies as a family.
Today, there are a number of ways to get flicks for the night. For one, dust off your own collection. I think most houses have a good stack of DVDs (or, OK we’ll show our age, VHS tapes) sitting in a pile somewhere. Dig out some of your old favorites and share with the family. In a house with young kids, it is a great chance to share some of your childhood must-haves with the kids. Or, show your significant other some of the flicks that greatly impacted your life.
These days, monthly movie rental passes, such as Blockbuster’s, like our family enjoys, makes it very simple to rent to your heart’s desire without much cost. For around $20 to $30 per month, you can come and go to their storefronts with new flicks as often as you’d like. The company also features a mail-in version. Netflix offers a similar program via the mail, where you can rent a designated (one to three) number of movies at one time, for a set monthly fee, and when you are done with them, you send them back to pick new ones from your list.
Others enjoy a new phenomenon, called Redbox. These color-themed containers are planted outside of frequented stores (try your local Wal-mart, grocery store or pharmacy). Here, for $1 per day, you can pick from some of the latest titles of new releases, and bring your DVD home to enjoy. Simply return the rental to the same Redbox you got it from, and presto, a quick and cheap source for movies.
Local libraries are often another over-looked source for flicks. For zero cost, and simply a swipe of your (free) library card, you can get your hand on a plethora of classic titles, and many updated libraries also carry a good line of new releases, as well. Pick up a title here for no cost to your night of entertainment.
If you find yourself home alone, try inviting over some friends to make it a social event. Plan some popcorn and movie-style candy and make a night of it. Girls can pick some sappy romances that your boyfriends and husbands wouldn’t be caught dead watching. Add them all up for a full night of chick flicks. Guys can put a manly twist and pick only the super shoot-‘em-up, blow-‘em-up action flicks their chicks aren’t too into, as well. Bring over some of the guys, cool down a few six packs and have a guys’ night in.
If you’d like to make it more social, invite other couples over for a themed night. Pick one actor or one style of movie and screen a few flicks for a full night. For example, maybe you can make some spaghetti, garlic bread and serve fine Italian wines, while airing the “Godfather” collection. Or, pick a great seafood dinner and screen “Jaws” for a fun twist. You can take nearly any movie and think up a great accompanying food to serve alongside. Make your hosting even more special by thinking up your own creative pairings of flicks and food.
Another spin on the family favorite evening is to invite over another family. Set up two televisions in the house (you know you have at least that many). Set the kids of the families up in a bedroom, with blankets, popcorn and snacks, and pop in a kids’ movie there. Meanwhile, the adults can enjoy some hors devourers, grown-up beverages and even a meal in the living/dining room, where you can screen a more grown-up film. By bringing the two families together, but accommodating everyone’s needs, you can have a great two-family night in.
No matter how you serve it up, a night of movies is a great way to stay out of wet and cold weather, and enjoy some quality time with friends or family. Try scheduling a movie night for you and yours this week.
