Fall has officially arrived and you know what that means? Cozy nights curled up in front of the television…hopefully, with a warm fire nearby. So, why not invite a few of the kids’ friends over and host a popcorn party and movie night?

We are a movie loving family here. My kids love to curl up in front of the television on a Saturday night and have a big ‘ole family movie night. And what would a movie night be without a popcorn party? We’ve got to have popcorn!

Whether you’re doing it with your own little family or you’re including extended family and friends, the cooler nights of fall and winter prove to be the best time to host a popcorn party and movie night. It’s so much fun to cozy up on the couch, hang out and watch a new movie.

Here’s some ideas to get your next popcorn party started –

How to Host a Popcorn Party and Movie Night

Plan a guest list & Send invitations

Who are you going to invite to your popcorn party? Make a list that includes your friends and/or family. Make it more fun than a telephone call! If you’re design savvy, whip up your own invitation. If not, that’s okay – just click the image above and pick one up from my shop. You can print it yourself or I’ll do it for you.

Decorate

Turn your living room or family room into a theater. Hang some dark curtains to block out the light. Add some comfy beanbag chairs or even a couple of air mattresses. Lay out a few blankets and maybe some pillows and let your guests lounge.

Plan the menu

Of course, any movie night needs popcorn. Make a big batch of regular popcorn and then, add some of the flavor options below.

Homemade Popcorn

• 3 tablespoons oil (I use canola oil)
• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• Salt, optional
• Melted butter, optional

Pour oil into a large pot and heat on medium-high temperature. Add popcorn kernels. Cover and allow the pot to sit for a few seconds until the popcorn begins to pop. Shake the pot every few seconds to keep the popcorn from burning. Remove the pot from the heat as soon as the popcorn stops popping. Add salt and butter, as desired. Yields: About 6 cups.

(The flavors below are based on the yield of popcorn from the above recipe. You may need to add more or less seasonings depending on how many cups of popcorn you make.)

Cheesy Popcorn – Sprinkle 4 or 5 tablespoons of cheese powder onto the popcorn.

Garlic Parmesan Popcorn – Add 2 teaspoons granulated garlic and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese popcorn.

Kettle Corn – Add 1/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons salt to the oil when making regular popcorn. Prepare as directed above.

Taco Popcorn – Add 1 package of taco seasoning to popcorn.

Pizza Popcorn – Add 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried tomato powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings to popcorn.

Don’t forget the snack shop! Pick up a few mini boxes of candy and some drinks. Set up a table somewhere near your viewing area and let your guests choose their snacks at their leisure.

Choose the movies

Pick out the movies you are going to watch with your friends and/or family. Make sure the movies you choose are age appropriate based on the guests you’ve invited.

Have fun!

Have a Great Day!

Vanessa Hamlin

Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.