By Gabrielle. Amazing Movie Marquee by my sister at Oh Happy Day.
I’ve got another Celebrations video to share with you! I think it’s a cute one. It features the whole family (plus pajamas and a trombone solo), and it’s all about turning an average Friday night into an Epic Family Movie Party. Also, I hope you like the sound of my voice, because I talk and talk and talk throughout the whole video.
If you want to create your own special movie night, you’re in luck, I put together a collection of 15 movie-party sources over on Babble just for you.
And now it’s your turn: What are your movie party traditions? And more importantly, who gets to decide which movie to watch? How about You’ve Got Mail? : )
P.S. — Fun fact: this was actually the first Celebrations episode we made, but I didn’t want it to get lost in the Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas rush, so I’ve been saving it till now.
I loved this Celebrations video. My kids love helping out with the snack bar. We’ve started a new tradition in last several months. Every Friday is pizza and movie night. This kids look forward to it, and now I always have a dinner plan.
When I wake up and already know what we’re having for dinner, it is always such a relief! I love your plan, Nikki.
so adorable – i love how the every day at the blair household seems to be a special day.
What a sweet thing to say. Thank you!
How cute is June!??! I’m dying from the cuteness!
It’s so fun for me to watch her. I have almost no video footage of my other children at that age, so I really treasure the videos of her.
Will you adopt me?
Definitely! Have you rescheduled your trip to France, yet?
So sweet, Gabby! You never cease to amaze. Love how simple the ideas are (and I don’t even have kids!).
Thank you, Anne. Sometimes I’m surprised how small an effort is required to make something (or someone!) feel special.
This is my favorite one yet!
Thank you, Wendy! It’s one of the only videos (maybe the only one) we’ve made that show the whole family together. Makes me happy.
This was great! I’m going to step it up a notch! I love the idea of the tiny little bowls for candy so they can help themselves. Great ideas! Thanks so much.
So glad you noticed the tiny bowls! I feel like they are my best discovery for managing sugar intake when we’re having a party.
ADORBS! :D Thanks so much for this awesome movie…I don’t think I’ve ever heard your voices before…also, thanks for the great movie suggestion! :D
Are you a You’ve Got Mail fan? We’re having a fun discussion about it here:
https://designmom.com/2013/01/youve-got-mail/
Said 8-year-old Lily, “Oooh, can we do that?!?”
Comments like that always make me grin, Shannon! I love when kids love the movies we make.
We love movie parties at our house. I don’t know why I’m so weird about voices, but I hadn’t really heard yours before and it surprised me. I thought you’d sound different. You sounded nicer than I thought, isn’t that funny?
I’m still at the stage where it’s hard for me to listen to my own voice. I sound so unfamiliar to myself!
could not stop smiling while watching…and your voice is great.
Awww. Thanks, Kimberly!
I LOVED THIS VIDEO!
Everything from the lighting, to Ralph and his trombone and little June on Ben’s lap. But my favorite part was your narration. It’s just like when we’re sitting at lunch chatting. Especially when you read your final nugget, it was just like when you gab with me.
AWESOME.
Oh Isabel! You say exactly the right things. Thank you.
You know I really want these videos to be great, but I’m so unpracticed. Jordan and I were chatting about how to get my voice to sound more natural and chatty — because I can’t help but get stiff and formal when I’m being recorded. So your kind words are super reassuring. Seriously. You are the best!
I hope it’s just a matter of practice and experience. : )
And now I’m in need of a trombone player in the house! Takes kicking off movie night to a whole other level!
If you don’t have a horn player in the house, we’ve found using old camp cheers works as well. : )
Such a sweet video. How do you choose a movie that interests and is appropriate for such a variety of ages? I would love to hear a few suggestions…
That’s a great topic idea for a post! I’ll have to make a list of some of our family favorites.
Yes, please do! I was going to post the same request. It’s so hard to come up with movies for kids (and adults) of all ages, I’d love to hear your suggestions! (We usually go for classic musicals and comedies…)
This is such a lovely video! And it’s so true about a tiny bit of extra effort going a loooooong way – not just with kids! If girlfriends are coming over for a chat + movie, you wouldn’t believe how picking up seasonal sweets or childhood favourites – just from the supermarket – makes everyone super excited and thrilled. Grown adults!
And that trombonist is just the coolest :)
You’re so right, Jess! A little effort can have big impact with people of all ages.
The totally cool PJ styles, the helpers galore, and the SMILES make this the best idea (video or otherwise) ever on the internet. really.
Give your fam high fives all around from me – they are AWESOME!
Can’t wait to be dazzled and inspired more this year from you all. Thanks for sharing from the heart.
Wendy! I just read your comment aloud to the whole family. It gave everyone a big grin. Thank you!
When our dad was deployed last time we would have movie nights when everyone was home. With the upcoming deployment, Dan and I have planned movie marathons for weekends when we don’t have other plans. We’ve compiled a list of different series to watch. I’ll be using some of these ideas to give those nights a little more meaning and identity. Thanks Gab! Cant wait to see you at ALT.
I’d love to hear what’s on your list. I’m craving another TV series that I can dive into.
Excited you’ll be at Alt Summit!
This video makes me so very happy.
Gabby, it’s so warm!
And filled with practical tips (which are so easy to forget in our visual world).
Have I ever told you how much I like your profile picture, Helen Jane? So glamorous!
Can you and Ben be my mom and dad?
Hi Robin! I’ll answer your question with a question: When are you coming to France?
How long are you going to be there?
I have to tell you, this one brought a tear to my eye (and I’m not pregnant, or usually emotional, either! Ha!). You are beautiful inside and out, and I feel grateful for everything you are doing (consciously or not) to model that being part of a happy, loving, creative family is actually the coolest thing ever! Thank you! ps. are you adopting people? Can I add my name to the list, too?!
You’re the nicest, Louise! Thank you. Consider yourself adopted.
This was *so* cute. Simple, thoughtful tips that really left me thinking—yes! I can do this. Even for our date nights at home. I can always get behind some good snacks and general fanfare. :)
Thanks for sharing your insight on movie night. My family and I have one too with similar special popcorn containers. But my 10 year old daughter always makes movie tickets for us out of post it notes. I never realized until reading in your post about your trombone-playing son that she is adding her own touch to our tradition. I am going to appreciate her efforts more. Thank you for snapping me out of it.
Thankyou, Thankyou for this inspiring post. When I suggested to my teenage son we watch a movie together there was abit of eye rolling going on. I won him over with a trip to the shops for popcorn ,lollies and icecream. We came home rearranged the furniture and set up our bowls. I did the big TA DA in front of the TV (having no Ralph and his trombone!). We snuggled down and had a lovely afternoon. Now I can’t wait to do it again with the whole family.
I can highly recommend We bought a Zoo.
oh gosh, i love this video so much! so cute, i’ve watched it about ten times now ha :) hope there’s more!
You guys are just too awesome. My family would love to be adopted…and come to France. Is tomorrow good? :) We do movie nights too, but seem to be running low on good family friendly movies. We are a bit protective of what are little ones watch. Do you have some favorites you’d suggest for mixed ages? I’d love to hear.
Thanks for all the fun inspiration.
this is so cute! x