Disney Movie Nights – they are just traditional. They usually involve pj’s, favorite snacks, blankets & stuffed friends. But, in changing times, there is a new concept of movie night…themed movie nights. I love this concept for so many reasons. It is more than just watching a movie. You can include themed activities, food, & decorations. Our whole family becomes involved. From planning, to decorating, to clean-up, it is a true example of teamwork & a great bonding experience.
It’s December so that means it’s time for ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. A movie we never miss is “The Polar Express.” We always watch as a family and love it each every time we watch.
Decorations
- Christmas colors of red, green and gold should be front and center for this movie. If you have a Santa’s sleigh for the centerpiece that would be perfect, but any traditional Christmas centerpiece would be great.
- Train Ticket – a quick online search yielded me 100’s to choose from. Download a copy for each member of the family and place it at their seat.
- Bell – Place each family member’s bell from the activities on a ribbon at their seat.
- Christmas Tree – watch the movie in the dark with the Christmas tree lights on.
Activities
- Jingle Bell – Buy each family member a bell at the craft or discount store. Have them write their favorite Christmas word on the bell – Believe, Magic, Joy, Christmas, Santa are all good choices. Tie a red ribbon through the top loop to hang them on the tree.
- Christmas Tree – If you haven’t decorated your tree yet this is the perfect time. Each family member should hang their bell on the tree.
- Christmas Cookies – Make a cookie decorating station with sprinkles, icing, colored sugars, ect. Each person can decorate their own cookies to eat later.
- Reminisce – Have each family member tell a story about their favorite Christmas present. Be sure to include how old they were when they received it, why it was a favorite, who gave it to them, do they still have it?
- Polar Express Tickets – Have everyone put their ticket in an envelope with their name written on it. Before the party punch a word into each ticket, choose a unique word for each person according to their personality. Exchange the original ticket with the punched one.
Food
- Christmas is a time of joy and happiness so why not have everyone’s favorite sandwiches. Ham, grilled cheese, PB&J, ect.
- Veggies – give everyone a small plastic cup filled with their favorite veggies (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, ect.) and their favorite dipping sauce, like Ranch dressing.
- Christmas Cookies – Everyone gets to eat the cookies they decorated earlier.
- Hot Cocoa – A favorite scene is where they all have the best hot chocolate ever aboard the train. Be sure to have some fun add ins available – marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips, ect.
After the movie is over have everyone retrieve their tickets and read the word punched into it.
Have a great time with this movie & let us know what you did to make your Adventure special! Have a movie suggestion for us? Leave a comment Be sure to post any photos on our DDL FB Group !
If you’ve seen me on the web you already know there’s nothing I love more than planning Disney parties, but I love everything Disney from the history to the theme parks to the movies. I also have a true passion for planning Disney vacations as a travel professional for WDW Guru Travel. I can sometimes be sarcastic, but always helpful, and a mostly entertaining Disney Fanatic!! A true Alabama girl, born and raised, I live with my husband, Mike, and son, Dakota on a 150 acre farm in Troy that’s been in my husband’s family since before the Civil War. My daughter, Ashley, lives in Clarksville, TN with her husband, Eric, and their kids Lexi & Tripp. If you we ever get to meet in person, you will find a genuine Southern accent, the overuse of affectionate terms like “Honey”, “Sugar”, and “Darlin” and an uncontrollable need to dote over everybody.
