Christmas Movie Night | Blogmas 2017 #8

Two of my favourite things to do around Christmastime are: Watch Christmas Movies and Host Gatherings of Friends round my house.

The best thing is when you put them both together.

I did this last year however, haven’t had the chance this year – which is a shame. I mentioned it briefly however, this is what I love to do when people come round my house. When I did this in 2016 it was for a friend who was feeling stressed and so I wanted to treat her to an evening where she didn’t have to worry about anything. Of course, she was free to rant or vent if she wanted to, but I wanted to give her a break, even just for an evening.

Now, the people who come round are usually friends so I know them pretty well. Having said that, this is Christmas and most people love the good old Christmas movies and Christmas songs. So my first port of call is:

Collate a List of Christmas Movies

This usually includes favourites such as Home Alone 1 & 2; The Santa Claus; Miracle on 34th Street; The Nightmare Before Christmas; The Grinch; Die Hard; Trading Places. Sadly one of my all time favourite Christmas movies is not available on DVD or BluRay in the UK, though I do look every year – which is On the Second Day of Christmas.

So, collate these movies and aspire to watch all of them. Yes, all of them. You won’t, but it’s the intent that matters. To prepare for failure, ensure you put these in the order of the ones you want to watch most.

Collate a Playlist of Christmas Songs

There are so many outlets for listening to music and creating playlists these days. YouTube, iTunes, Spotify or a good old-fashioned CD.

Play the ones that everyone loves most to sing-along to, it’s a lot of fun and good to put on while waiting for everyone to arrive, or until you’re set up and ready to watch the movies themselves. It really puts you in the festive spirit and who doesn’t love Christmas songs? (probably a lot of people, but quiet you!)

Last year I put together a playlist of Christmas songs I love. It looks like one has been deleted, which I’m very sad about because I have no clue which one it is. Either way, enjoy and I hope it gives you some inspiration!

Organise Food and Drink

I’m not sure if this is because I’m part Greek or because I just love hosting (perhaps both?) but if people are coming round my house, they get fed and watered.

Very few of my friends drink a lot and I don’t drink at all, so if they want alcohol I do tend to ask them to bring their own because I don’t have a clue what I’m doing. I tried one year, it was stressful and I ended up recruiting a friend who does drink for guidance.

Soft drinks however, I can handle. Make sure you cater to who you’re hosting. For example, their preferences to Diet or Normal or if you have a few people coming over and they each prefer something different. Get a selection in, don’t go mad but try and get some general things that most people will enjoy. Chances are if you’ve covered all your bases you’re good.

When it comes to food, it’s Christmas. So get festive!

Last year I got in some Mince Pies, Cookies, Crisps, Chocolate coins, Chocolate, Hot Chocolate (yeah, there was a lot of Chocolate). At that point I didn’t cook a lot and didn’t want to spend time cooking while people were over (and cutting into our movie time!) so we ordered in. You can order whatever you like, or whatever your guests enjoy! For example, I know one of my friends prefers Pizza, whereas another one prefers Indian.

If you prefer cooking, then go for it! You guys can cook together. This is something me and my friends now do often when they come over, it’s genuinely a lot of fun and more than once I’ve bowled over with laughter, tears streaming down my face. You may eat late, but you’ll eat good.

If you have a few people over you’ll all have to compromise, but cater to the people you’re with and they’ll be sure to have a good time!

You can also put out a selection of finger veg and fruit, because sometimes it’s good as a palette cleanser and sometimes it just makes you feel better about all the not so good stuff. Sometimes people prefer it as well. For me, I now enjoy a selection of goodness with everything else.

I won’t lie, we had a lot of fruit the next day as well!

Extras

Just to be a bit more festive, some of the chocolates I decided to put in these tacky stockings – but it added to the vibe I wanted to create.

I also got some giant lollies, which I ended up giving both to my friend to take home with her. She loved it. For me they added to the scenery however, after that evening I wasn’t so inclined to actually have the lolly itself.