4 / 4
Cornerstone Group © 2016
Wheat State Telephone • 1/800 442-6835 •
www.wheatstate.comMake Family Movie Nights
More Fun and Memorable
Many Have Big
Appetites for Quick
Food Videos
You’ve probably seen these time-
lapse videos in your Facebook news
feed. You know the ones— lasting
just a minute or two, they show you
how to make cheese-stuffed pizza
pretzels or s’mores cupcakes or some-
thing equally tasty. They’re taking
over social media and compelling
users to stop scrolling mid-feed and
watch them.
What’s behind the popularity of these
videos? One factor is the universal
appeal of food and cooking—fig-
uring out what to eat each day is
something we all do. Another thing
fueling the success of these videos
is the rise of mobile devices. Those
who grew up with smartphones are
more comfortable getting recipes via
a video than opening a cookbook.
But the icing on the cake, so to speak,
for time-lapse food videos is their
simplicity. Since social media can be
filled with heated discussions and
negative news, these videos offer
a quick “vacation” to a place that’s
simply delicious.
Family movie nights are a great way to relax and spend time
together. To make yours even better, try these ideas:
Get Creative and Pick a Theme
Get everyone excited by creating a theme for your movie night. This can be simple or
elaborate and involve food, clothing, or both. For example, you could eat frozen treats like
popsicles when watching
Frozen
or Southern food while watching
Steel Magnolias
. Have
everyone throw on cowboy hats for a western-themed night or baseball caps while watching
a double header of baseball movies.
Create a Comfortable Space
Nothing can ruin a movie night like a messy environment, poor visual quality, or uncom-
fortable seating. Make sure your TV is large enough for good viewing and your couches
and chairs are as comfy as possible.
Make It a Regular Event
Many families have found it works well to have a standing movie night, either weekly or
monthly. That way, family members can have it on their calendars and be more likely to
attend. After all, the goal is to strengthen bonds and create happy memories.
Take Turns Choosing the Movies
You may want to give young kids a pre-selected list to choose from to avoid watching the
same favorite movie over and over. If you’ve got teens, tell them you’ll watch anything they
choose as long as they return the favor when it’s your turn.
Share Your Reviews
When the credits start rolling, make time to chat about what you watched. What did you
like or didn’t like? What lessons did you learn? You may want to visit the library or do online
research with your children to follow up on interests piqued by the movie.
Wheat State can help make the most of your family movie nights with
premium movie channels. If you stream movies via Netflix or a similar
service, ask us about upgrading your internet speed for the best viewing
experience. Call 1/800 442-6835 for details.