This post is sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart. All opinions are my own.
One of my favorite holiday childhood memories is watching Christmas movies as a family. Now that I have kids of my own, I wanted to recreate one of my fondest holiday memories with them. So I executed a cozy family Christmas movie night in our basement.
Christmas Movies
It’s not family Christmas movie night without Christmas movies. We let the kids choose a couple of classics– A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and a collection of classic Christmas movies like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Hot Cocoa and Cookies
Since Emmett is too young for popcorn, I thought it was cruel to have it present but tell him he couldn’t eat it, so we went with hot cocoa and cookies. Neither child complained. But because Emmett can’t be trusted with an open container, especially in areas with soft surfaces, his hot cocoa was served in a lidded cup with a straw. The rest of us enjoyed our hot cocoa and marshmallows in these festive holiday mugs.
I like to add a peppermint candy cane to each hot cocoa. It dresses up the mug (presentation is everything), and adds some peppermint flavor (my favorite) to the hot cocoa.
I also highly recommend using a tray like this gray wash wooden tray. If any spills occur, the tray will help to contain any liquids. A solid tray is a must in our basement because of the tufted ottoman.
Magical Fairy Lights
Fairy lights are required for a couple reasons.
1. Festiveness. There’s something about fairy lights that makes regular things more magical.
2. So you can see the cocoa tray in the dark while movie watching. Think of the fairy lights as those landing strip lights at an airport.
Tip: Hide the battery pack in the candy cane jar.
Up the Coziness
Cozy Cushions
Our kids, Emmett especially, like to lay on the floor when watching movies. So I ordered two of these corduroy tufted floor cushions in the color smoke. They’re so soft, and they have a handle so the kids can easily pick them up and put them away when they want to play with toys on the rug.
Comfy Rug
A comfy and cozy rug under your feet, or body, is a must. We recently added this Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart Persian border rug for the basement sitting area. It’s so plush and soft. The rug also helps soften the floor when the boys jump off the couch and miss their floor cushions.
Soft Blankets and Pillows
Our basement can be on the chilly side during the winter months, so I made sure to have a couple oversized velvet plush throw blankets and velvet quilted throw pillows for us to snuggle up with.
I hope our little family Christmas movie night inspired you to create some holiday memories with your family.
Cozy Gift Ideas
And if you’re looking for some holiday gift ideas, I put together these two cozy-themed gifts.
Movie Night In
The first gift is perfect for a night in, snuggled up watching movies. Place the faux fur throw blanket into the wire basket with a holiday-scented candle and a box of chocolate and/or wine.
The second gift is a cozy way to spread holiday cheer with home baked cookies and cocoa in festive mugs. Fill a wooden tray with festive mugs and hot cocoa mix. And top a white platter with cookies.
This post is sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart. All opinions are my own.
Jeannie says
We’ve been doing movie nights recently because cases are climbing in our area… we’ll definitely be doing them the rest of the year 🙂 Thanks for tips!
Stephanie says
So cute & festive! Will definitely be a memory the boys treasure as they grow up ❤️
Rachel says
Great ideas! So cozy!
Kristin says
Love the tray you used – I feel like there’s a million and one uses for it and it goes with everything! Also, you can go wrong with cookies and hot cocoa!! 😊
Julia says
This is such a cute idea! Off to Walmart.
Bekke says
So cozy and fun! We love our family Christmas movie nights!
Tina says
I love this tradition!! It looks beautiful!! I love the tray and the fairy lights on the tray are awesome!!! I need those floor pillows – thanks so much for the ideas!!
Heather says
Love everything about this. Such a fun idea and sweet memory for the kids. Pretty sure I really, really need those mugs. 😊
Mandy says
Wow! Walmart has upped their candle game! I need to try one out. Also, I really like the idea of the tufted floor cushions for our kids too!
Zainab says
I love love how cozy this is! Those trays are my favorites.
Terrah says
So good! I’m a fan of the BHG pillows at Walmart. Always a great price and fantastic quality. So glad to see those floor pillows “in person” because they’re much larger than they appear on their listing. GREAT IDEAS!
Megan says
So cute! Love those mugs and floor cushions! Thanks for the always lovely ideas 😊
Melanie says
Looks lovely!
Emily says
You have to have those classic movies!! Love the idea of using the fairy lights to light the way to the hot cocoa!
Michele says
Family movie nights are my go-to gift for couples! We are a huge movie fam ourselves so it’s a no brainer!
Nicole says
This is such a great, cozy, and safe idea! Love the mugs too!
Jackie says
So cozy and festive!
Sarah says
Those red pillows are so good!!
Evelina says
We do family Christmas movie night every Friday after American thabksgiving! Tomorrow we are watching the Grinch. I love those throw pillows and I’m definitely going to check them out! My kids love to be on the floor too!
Mandy says
Super cute! Where does one get fairy lights? I’ve never seen them!
Beth says
So fun! Snagging those floor pillows, as we have family homemade pizza/movie night every Saturday. I love your presentation. Added the items in the wire gift basket to my cart for my mom’s gift this Christmas.
Jessica says
Fairy lights are such a good idea, never thought of that! Those floor cushions look so comfy, and perfect for all the jumping from couch to floor that happens in our house too. Thanks for sharing!
Nichole says
I love the little touch of fairy lights!