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Family Movie Night (at Home)

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Brandon and I like to have stay-at-home movie nights with the kids. We gather snacks, dim the lights, and pile the couch with pillows. The other night, I spelled out the evening’s activity with our magnetic letters, and Eleanor got very excited when I told her what the words said. “Movie night!? YAY!” She ran to her brother, yelling “August, it’s movie night!”

It doesn’t take much to make an ordinary evening special. It’s in the little details, like jelly beans in a pretty bowl, getting drinks from a dispenser, and eating popcorn out of fun containers.

We all help to choose movies, but some are more family-friendly than others. (“All right, Ratatouille it is, kids. Let’s save Crank 2 for another day.”)

Do you ever make ordinary nights into something a little more special?

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  • vy
    June 5, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    Nicole, where did you get those magnetic letters?! they’re fabulous!

    • Christina W.
      June 5, 2012 at 5:34 pm

      I was wondering the same! :)

    • Making it Lovely
      June 5, 2012 at 11:30 pm

      They were from Pottery Barn. I’ve had them for years, but I checked, and they’re still available!

      • vy
        June 6, 2012 at 10:33 am

        too cute! if only i had a pink fridge!

        thanks for letting us know :)

      • Alison
        June 9, 2012 at 11:52 pm

        I bought these on a whim years ago from Pottery Barn Outlet without realizing what a great thing I’d purchased. Years later, I still adore them!

  • Glenda
    June 5, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    we do! and we also have the popcorn boxes and a popcorn maker. hubby enjoy making the popcorn. movie night for us equals quality family time

  • Kim
    June 5, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    My best friend’s mom growing up had a popcorn maker and she used to make us the most wonderful popcorn and we each used to shake up our own paper bag with whatever popcorn toppings we had chosen. It was amazing! If you don’t have a popcorn-popper, you should invest for movie night. It was magical! :)

    • Making it Lovely
      June 5, 2012 at 11:31 pm

      We’ve been going with boring old microwave popcorn. Maybe a machine is in order for us eventually!

  • Chedva
    June 5, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Aww, this seems like so much fun! Serving drinks from a dispenser makes everything instantly festive, doesn’t it?

  • Mary-My Life in Scotland
    June 5, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    My husband and I do Thursday Theme Nights! Some of the things we’ve done are:

    -Watch ‘Rocky’ and eat Rockyroad ice cream
    -play dominoes and eat Dominoes Pizza
    -Eat Chinese food and watch Jackie Chan movies

    we’re having fun!

  • homestilo
    June 5, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    I have been trying desperately to set up a “family night” where, once a week, we do something together. So far, no luck. This post makes me think we need to try harder.

  • Jen Wilhelm
    June 5, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Such a sweet way to spend time together! I love all the small details that go into making it an extra special night. ^__^ And I adore those magnetic letters!

  • Beatrice
    June 5, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    That is so so cute. We almost never go out anymore, but what a great idea. We also watched Ratatouille with our little one this past Saturday, when it was pouring cats and dogs. Wasn’t sure if it was ok for a two year old, but you answered my question. Thank you for sharing this.

  • Mari, smallforbig.com
    June 5, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    We’ve just started doing a movie night, but my 3 year old things movies include all of her favorite cartoons on DVD too! Ah well, it’s still family time.
    We have some corn allergies, so we’ve been making cotton candy with one of those fun retro cotton candy makers instead – SO yummy.

  • Emma
    June 5, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    Every friday night growing up my family used to watch movies together! As I’ve grown older, it’s a memory my brother and I bond over and when we are able to do it, its always a sweet trip down memory lane. I intend to continue the tradition with my children for sure!

  • TieDye64
    June 5, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    What a fun post. Love this so much!

  • Valentina
    June 5, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    What a lovely idea! It would be nice to set up a family night with my husband and my little daughter. :-)

  • Ebony
    June 5, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    We have pizza and a movie every Friday. My young boys look forward to it all week long.

  • melissa
    June 5, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Our daughter just turned 2 and I think we are finally catching on to “family” times. She is so talkative and entertaining now something like taking her to the park or having pancakes for breakfast is special time now where before it was still fun for us (and probably for her) but not the same-am I making sense? Can anyone relate?

  • Melissa
    June 5, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    You’ve got great taste in movies!

    I would highly recommend the movie Mom and Dad Save the Word. It’s got Jon Lovits in it. Hilarious and I bet Eleanor would love the little aliens!

    • Making it Lovely
      June 5, 2012 at 11:33 pm

      Oh, thanks! We’ll have to check it out.

  • Lisa
    June 5, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    I love movie night. I actually hit the video store last night and stocked up on a few for the weekend. I just need to make the pizza and I’m all set!

  • Eva
    June 6, 2012 at 4:02 am

    Love love love this post.
    How do you create your collages? I want to make something similar for my new blog and I’m not sure where to start. Any advice greatly appreciated!

  • Erika
    June 6, 2012 at 9:46 am

    I’m loving the mood board for an activity! So cute! Maybe we could see more of these – you always have such great ideas.

  • itziar
    June 6, 2012 at 10:49 am

    Love this post!

    I love this plans for family nigths, and i like when friends and their kids come to home for dinner

    http://mykitschworld.blogspot.com.es

  • Amanda
    June 6, 2012 at 11:45 am

    This sounds like so much fun! The extra details must make it really special for the kids!

  • Emily
    June 7, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    You’ve inspired me to make a special night with my two year old. Tomorrow we will have our first movie night! Thanks for the great ideas!

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  • jja
    June 9, 2012 at 9:20 am

    We do! But not in front of some screen ;-). No technic, no gadgets, just the two of us. Maybe cooking, maybe just talking…

  • elise
    June 12, 2012 at 5:10 pm

    We make popcorn on stove, like my parents did when I was a kid. Our kids, who are all too familiar with microwave popcorn, think it is a real treat. Funny how the simple things can be so much fun.