I really like family traditions.
Nothing too extravagant. Just little things that help us feel more grounded in who we are, and that give us something to look forward to.
And one of my favorite year long traditions . . . family movie night.
It’s often the perfect way to end a busy week, it feels fun all year long, and there’s just something about planning an activity on a Friday night that makes it feel like you’re getting the most out of the weekend!
Plus it’s usually pretty easy to pull off even in our most exhausted moments.
And when time (and mental space) allow, we can get a little more creative . . . pillow forts, picnic style dinners on the floor, or snuggling up in the back of the van and pretending we’re at the drive-in.
Do drive-ins even exist anymore? If they don’t, they really should.
Figuring out what to watch is always the most challenging part. So I like to keep a running list on my phone with options ranging from documentaries and nature shows to comedies and heart-warming family favorites.
These are a few favorites:
Wonder
Based on R.J. Palacio's novel of the same name, this movie has so many powerful messages about kindness, friendship, and appreciating people for who they are (rather than what they look like). It makes me cry every single time and it’s easily the one we watch most often.
We Bought a Zoo
I guess I’m a sucker for a feel good movie. Action packed it is not but it’s full of heart and every time I watch it, it makes me want to move to the country and buy a farm.
Bedtime Stories
If you look up the reviews, they aren't great. But I still love it all the same. I mean I’m not a film critic, I just like a good story. My kids love that the kids are the ones in the movie who make the magic happen and Adam Sandler is hilarious and he keeps it pretty PG for the kiddos.
Ratatouille
Another animated choice. Ratatouille is hands down the best Pixar movie around (in my hubble opinion anyway). If you’ve ever seen Chef, this is like the kid friendly cartoon version and we all love it!
Nat Geo Wild series
Ok not exactly a movie, but when we can’t agree on anything to watch or are short on time, one of these is usually where we end up.
Padma Lakshmi's Taste the Nation
Food, travel, and learning new things, ummm yes please!
And one from the other night:
Movie preferences vary greatly from person to person and family to family so if PG-13 is not your thing, you’ll want to skip the following recommendation. But we really enjoyed it, so I’m sharing it with you anyway.
"Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you."
— Ruth Bader Ginsburg
On the Basis of Sex, is a 2019 film about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and while some might argue it’s not exactly appropriate for young girls, I would have to agree to disagree.
Because RBG was a total badass.
Regardless of your political leaning, Justice Ginsberg was such an incredible example of what it looks like to work hard for the things you believe in.
And couldn’t we all benefit from being surrounded by and hearing stories of more badass women?
I think so.
Controversial films aside, movie night just wouldn’t be movie night without popcorn, so here’s my favorite simple recipe for stovetop popcorn!
“Cheezy” Stovetop Popcorn:
Gather your ingredients: whole popcorn, olive or avocado oil, sea salt, and nutritional yeast.
Before you start popping the corn, Add 2-3 T of nutritional yeast into a large bowl with a lid, along with about 1 tsp sea salt.
In a medium sized pan, add enough oil to generously coat the bottom of the pan. Heat the pan over medium-high heat until the oil is nice and hot. To test when the oil is ready, just drop 3 or 4 popcorn kernels into the pan. Once they pop, it’s ready!
Add in enough popcorn kernels to cover the bottom of the saucepan in a single layer. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Once the kernels start to pop, give the pan a good shake every 15 seconds or so to make sure that the kernels fall to the bottom of the pan. Keep shaking until the popping slows down.
Then pour the popped corn into the bowl.
Add the lid and give the popcorn a good shake until it’s evenly coated with the nutritional yeast and salt. Then. . .it’s popcorn time!
Enjoy!