Our Family Movie Night Magic: How We Bring Our Favorite Flicks to Life (and Why It's My Favorite Tradition)

Hey my loves!! :,) Okay, so you guys know how much I freakin love our family traditions, right? Like, it’s one of my favorite things to share with you all bc it’s just so us. And if there’s one tradition that consistently brings the most joy, the most laughter, and honestly, the most chaos (in the best way possible, obvs), it’s our family movie nights. But not just any movie nights, you know? We take it up like, a million notches. hahah. If you saw our latest post, you know exactly what I’m talking about. We went full out for a movie we love so much, and it just reminded me why these moments are so precious.

You guys thought we weren’t gonna do this part?!?! I swear, every time we do one of these, I’m like, how are we gonna top this? And then Tanner just shows up and acts his heart out, and the girls are just living their best lives, and I’m just there, soaking it all in, feeling like the luckiest mama on earth. I love this movie with all my heart and love that my husband is a 10/10 actor and looks like every character he plays. It’s freakin wild. He commits, you guys. He commits. And that’s what makes it so fun.

I wanted to dive a little deeper into why we do this, how we make it happen (bc ngl, it takes a little planning, but it’s SO worth it), and hopefully give you guys some inspo to start your own version of this kind of magic with your people. Bc truly, these are the memories I know we’re all gonna look back on and just smile, you know?

Why We Go All Out for Movie Night (It's More Than Just a Movie!)

Okay, so why do we do this? Why not just pop some popcorn and chill on the couch? Which, don’t get me wrong, we do that too! And those are lovely. But there’s something extra special about transforming our living room, or even just ourselves, into the world of a movie. For me, it’s about connection. It’s about creating an experience that pulls us all in together, away from screens (ironic, I know, since we’re watching a screen, but you get what I mean!), away from the daily grind, and into a shared moment of pure fun.

When Stella and Ozzy get to dress up as their favorite characters, or when we’re all trying to nail a pose from a movie poster, it’s not just watching a film; it’s living it, even just for a little bit. It sparks their imaginations, and honestly, it sparks mine too. It’s a chance to be silly, to laugh at ourselves (especially Tanner, bless his heart, he’s such a good sport), and to just enjoy each other’s company in a really unique way. It’s about building those core memories that they’ll talk about for years. I can already hear them telling their kids about the time Dad dressed up as… well, you know. :,)

And tbh, it’s a little bit for me too. As a mom, sometimes you just need to unleash that inner kid, you know? To forget about the laundry and the to-do list and just play. These movie nights give me that permission, and I love that sm.

How We Pick Our Movies & Plan the Fun

So, how do we decide which movie to tackle next? It’s usually a mix of things! Sometimes the girls will be obsessed with a new movie they’ve seen, or one they’ve watched a million times already. Other times, Tanner and I will suggest a classic that we loved growing up and want to introduce them to. For this recent one, it was definitely a classic that we all adore. We’ve watched it so many times, and it just felt like the right one to bring to life.

Once we pick the movie, the brainstorming begins! This is where it gets really fun. We start thinking about:

• The Iconic Scenes: What are the most memorable moments? The ones that everyone knows? Those are the ones we try to recreate.
• The Characters: Who are the main characters? What are their signature looks?
• The Vibe: What’s the overall feel of the movie? Is it spooky? Whimsical? Adventurous? That helps us with decor and snack ideas.

We don’t over-plan it, though. That’s key. It’s more about a loose vision and then letting the creativity flow. And sometimes, the best ideas come spontaneously in the moment!

Costumes, Props, & Themed Snacks: Making It Real

Okay, this is probably the most fun part for me. And for Tanner, bc he gets to act. hahah. For costumes, we usually raid our closets first. You’d be surprised what you can put together with just what you have! Old clothes, blankets, scarves – anything can be transformed with a little imagination. For some things, we might grab a few cheap accessories from a party store or even just order something quick online if it’s a really specific piece. But the goal is always to make it work with what we have or what’s easy to get. It’s not about spending a ton of money; it’s about the effort and the creativity.

Props are the same way! We look around the house for anything that could work. A broom can be a magic wand, a pillow can be a rock, a toy can be a treasure. The girls love helping with this part, finding things and saying, “Mama, this looks like that thing from the movie!” Their excitement is contagious, honestly.

And then there are the snacks! Oh my gosh, themed snacks are a MUST for us. It just adds another layer to the experience. For our recent movie night, we had snacks that totally fit the theme, and it just makes everything feel more immersive. Think about what foods are mentioned in the movie, or what colors and textures match the movie’s world. It doesn’t have to be gourmet, just fun! Popcorn is always a given, but then we try to add something special. Even just renaming regular snacks with movie-themed names can be a hit with the kids.

Tanner, My Hype Man & The Ultimate Actor

I have to give a huge shoutout to Tanner here. You guys, he is seriously the best. I mean, you saw him, right? He just becomes the character. He’s not afraid to look silly, he’s not afraid to go all in, and honestly, that’s what makes these moments so special. He’s my ultimate hype man, always down for whatever crazy idea I come up with, and he brings so much energy to it all. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else. He makes it so much more fun and memorable for all of us.

He’s always there, ready to jump in, whether it’s helping me set up, wrangling the kids (hahah), or just making us all laugh until our stomachs hurt. I’m so grateful for him and his willingness to just be present and playful with our girls. It means the world to me, and it means the world to them. He’s truly the best dad and husband, and these movie nights are just another example of his amazing spirit.

It's About Connection, Not Perfection

I know sometimes it might look like everything is perfectly planned or executed, but trust me, it’s not! There are always moments of chaos, things don’t always go exactly as planned, and sometimes the kids are more interested in running around than posing for a picture. And that’s totally okay!

The whole point of these traditions isn’t to create a perfect Instagram moment (though I do love sharing them with you guys!), it’s about the process. It’s about the laughter, the inside jokes, the memories we’re building together as a family. It’s about Stella trying to direct everyone, Ozzy doing her own thing, and baby Cherry just observing it all with wide eyes. It’s about Tanner making us all crack up with his acting, and me just trying to capture a fraction of the magic.

So if you’re thinking about starting a tradition like this, please don’t feel like you need to be a professional costume designer or a master chef. Start small. Pick one thing – maybe just a themed snack, or everyone wearing the same color. The most important ingredient is just being together and having fun. The rest will follow, I promise.

Building Our Family Legacy, One Movie Night at a Time

These moments, these traditions, they’re so important to me. My mom raised me as a single mom, and she always made sure we had special moments and traditions, even when things were tough. She taught me the value of creating joy and making memories, and I carry that with me every single day. Now, with my own girls, I want to give them that same sense of wonder and connection. I want them to grow up knowing that our home is a place of laughter, creativity, and unconditional love.

These movie nights are just one small piece of that puzzle, but they’re a really important one. They’re a reminder to slow down, to be present, and to cherish these fleeting years with our little ones. Before we know it, they’ll be grown, and these will be the stories we tell around the dinner table, the memories we pull out when we need a good laugh or a warm feeling in our hearts. :,)

So yeah, that’s a little peek into our family movie night magic. I hope it gives you a little spark of inspiration to create your own special moments with your loved ones. What are your favorite family traditions? I’d love to hear them! Sending you all so much love!

• Pick a movie everyone loves (or a new one to discover together!).
• Don't be afraid to go all out with costumes and props – even DIY ones!
• Make it a whole experience: themed snacks, decor, and maybe even a little dance party.
• It's about connection, not perfection. Laugh off the mishaps!
• Start small, build your traditions, and cherish every moment with your people.