I’m a big fan of the “night in“. In fact, I don’t do “nights out” because I don’t drink and clubbing isn’t my thing anymore. Oh and my anxiety would make it almost impossible for me to actually have fun, in a hot, sweaty club surrounded by drunk people with a bass drum pounding in my brain. So back to the point, nights in are good and I think we should all embrace the night in a little more and realise that they can be just as fun. Last year, I set up a home cinema one evening when my boyfriend came home from work. It had all the fixings and the making of a mini cinema just for 2! So here’s how to create your perfect home cinema evening if you fancy a cheap, cosy night in with a partner, friends or your mum!
Movies: Of course first up is the movie. There’s plenty of options for this; DVD’s, Netflix, Blinkbox or Curzon. And what are you going for; Horror, Chick-flick, Romance? The possibilities are endless!
Take-away / food: A home cinema night is the perfect chance to treat yourself to a take-away. My go-to is either Chinese or Dominos (which is perfect to eat out of the box in front of the telly). Or if you’re in the mood to go all-out, you can make your own yummy dinner from scratch. For easy-to-eat dinners, I’d recommend this Chunky Beef Chilli, Thai Fish Cakes or a aromatic Bombay Curry!
Snacks: And after dinner snacks of course! When I made my home cinema, I went for traditional popcorn (sweet, of course) and Malteasers (proper cinema food). Or you could make your own easy treats like these no-bake white chocolate Oreo truffles.
Aesthetic: It’s got to look the part too so you can have the cosiest evening. Whack on those fairy-lights and candles and gather all the pillows and fluffy blankets you can find!
Cinema tickets: You can’t get into a cinema without a ticket, right? When I did mine, very childishly, I created cinema tickets just as a bit of fun. This is a good chance to get creative (if you have time) and who doesn’t like to unleash their inner child every once in a while? This is also a great suggestion for if you’re having a cinema night with kids and a fun activity to do with them!
Love this and often have nights I like this with the family ❤️ If it’s just the two of us we quite enjoy some stand up comedy instead of a movie as a change. I love Beauty and the Beast though and have watched it loads over Christmas
I watched Beauty and the Beast on Christmas too!
I love a good movie night, I often stay in as I’m not a fan of clubs or bars!
With the right company a movie night can be even better than a night out xx
Jamie | http://www.jamies-corner.com
It totally can!
A warm blanket and some homemade popcorn is my typical movie night, I usually go for a drama or a mystery.
A Sparkle Of Grace
Can’t say I’ve ever made popcorn myself before!
I love that you made tickets, that just makes it more special and fun! I think Netflix is making it so much easier to have a home cinema night these days with all the straight to Netflix big film titles there are.
Oh absolutely! There’s been some cracking Netflix releases xxx
My boyfriend and I LOVE home movie nights. We normally order Vietnamese and snuggle up to watch an action movie 🙂 xx
Anna
http://www.glass-shoes.com
Vietnamese? That’s an interesting choice – I’ve never tried it before but would love to! xxx
It’s my favourite takeaway. It’s full of veg and fairly low calorie so makes me feel like I’m indulging without actually going mad!
Ahh this is so cute, I’d like to make my own tickets. The little things really make a difference, this sounds like maybe a perfect valentines day surprise to be honest too xxx
Oh yeah absolutely it would! xxx
Oh my goodness what a fabulous post!! This takes me wayyyyy back when it was my birthday when I was younger (possibly about 10) when I asked if I could have friends around for a movie. We got a projector to put a movie on the wall, and watched Lizzie McGuire film and ate pizza and it was the best!! I definitely need to relive this!
Sarah | http://www.sazsinclair.com xx
You had a projector?! That’s amazing 🙊🙊 xxx
I love nights in and totally agree with Chinese or Dominoes being the go to food! I love that you chose Disney movies too, I think we’d be great friends haha!- https://sophiehearts.net x
Anyone who loves Dominos and Disney is a friend to me! 😘 xx
This sounds perfect, you basically mentioned everything I would want to have the perfect movie night in! I would most probably go for a thriller or a romantic comedy if I’m in the mood for that! 💕
Can’t usually go wrong with a Thriller! Especially one that messes with you a bit! xxx
Haha yesss!
I love having cosy nights in front of the TV watching films 💕. I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t like loud clubs anymore. I love your suggestion to make your own cinema tickets – that’s such a cute and creative idea ❤️. Fabulous post and hope you have a wonderful relaxing Christmas Jenny 🎄😘 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Awh thanks Bexa! I probably wouldn’t go in a club ever again if I’m honest! Not my scene anymore but that’s cool (: xxx
I love a home cinema night. I don’t really do nights out either. I never have done! Nothing beats lots of movies and snacks though. Especially Disney movies!!
Right! I like a trip to the cinema every now and again but clubs and pubs are a no-go for me now! xxx
Oh I couldn’t agree more about hating nights out – I went clubbing once, NEVER again! I’d much rather curl up in bed watching a good film (usually Disney, comedy, Marvel or chickflick) with some Galaxy, Maltesers, ice cream or a pile of sandwiches. It makes me happy and it’s how I’d rather spend my evening! xxx
I went out clubbing almost too much when I was 18/19. I’ve certainly got the “been there done that” t-shirt but naturally things change and my anxiety now would make it almost impossible for me to step into a club. But I don’t really want to anymore so that’s cool (: I really want some Malteasers now! xxx
Nick and I have a date night tradition as we have two young child, we’ve found a very quite cinema/restaurant where we have a nice little meal before seeing our movie but when we do have nights in, it is definitely a Chinese and Netflix, we’ve just had one and we watched Deepwater Horizon which was incredible!
Oh thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t seen that one yet. That sounds like a lovely tradition. Quiet places are always a thumbs up from me too!
This sounds like my perfect night in especially in winter when it’s too cold to go anywhere! Great post x
I don’t mind the cold but it’s nice to snuggle up and keep warm at home too! xx
This sounds like my perfect night in! Especially in winter when it’s absolutely freezing
I’m also a very big fan of the night in. What’s better than Netflix and a huge pile of snacks? x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Absolutely nothing! xxx
Hi, we love a cinema evening in our house. We have even had homemade tickets for special occasssionas as well. We also enjoy snacks and drinks, you just can’t beat it.
The homemade ticket thing is a cute touch xx
This is such a good idea! I love the cinema tickets tip, I can ask Flora to make some, that would be right up her street. Although, if we’re watching with Flora our choices would have to involve dragons, haha. Lovely post, Jenny! x
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
It’s a cute idea! I mean I know I’m 25 but even I had fun making them haha! xxx
This is awesome!! Neat way to dress up watching a movie!😊
Makes it a bit more cosy and special anyway (: xx
Take away and films are my favourite night ins! My boyfriend always sorts out a night like that after I had a stressful week and it always calms me down a lot c:
xxx Nele | http://www.thenavigatio.com
Awh that’s lovely xxx
Movie nights in are the BEST!
Absolutely (: xx
We have a cineworld pass, so we rarely watch films at home more tv shows but my main question is, where are those galaxy cookies from
Haha I have no idea my mum bought them, probably Tesco!
I love your movie choices but would have to add monsters inc as it’s one of my faves! Also, some popcorn 🍿. Great post 😊
Thank you- I did mention popcorn x
I LOVE a home cinema night. We (my mum and I, whenever we can get rid of dad 😜) usually watch either Disney or romance films, have fish suppers as our takeaway, and then chocolate, crisps and ice cream as snacks 😊. The tickets idea is so cute too 💜
Amy xxx
http://www.goldenbooksgirl.wordpress.com
Sounds perfect! 😍 xxx