Weekly Family Movie Night & How To Style A Bar Cart

I’ve hosted a weekly family movie night since my youngest son was old enough to sit still, which is about six years now. It’s every Friday night and we all look forward to it each week by voting on our feature presentation. Good thing I like action movies, because I’m often overruled! {grin}

Recently Kohl’s invited me to share how we set our big night up in my house!

Since this is not just a time to watch a movie together, but has almost become a celebration to kick-off the weekend, we save our sugar calories (or at least I do) for our family movie night! Hence the bar cart full of donuts, chocolate, popcorn, soda… all those things that you would find at a real theater (but for a fraction of the price mommas!). And what’s also great, my way you can pause the movie if you need to run to the restroom. {wink}

So let’s talk about what we need to set up our family movie night bar cart! I find that even though this is a family event, by having a specific day each week, allowing the kids to pick their favorite goodies, and making it super fun by setting up the “party” bar cart, the kids really look forward to it and actually don’t ask to do other things on “our” night together.

Shop this look at Kohl’s:

Marquee Letter, battery operated – this was a must. No one likes to turn the light on during a movie and this fun little marquee letter allows just enough light to prep your popcorn or grab a drink without turning on the overhead light.

Bobby Flay aqua rim cups and Bobby Flay aqua plates – I choose melamine because my kids are still… well… kids. And since I love the red and aqua color combo, I was immediately drawn to the Bobby Flay line of summer plates and cups

Popcorn maker – I love the old fashioned look of this popcorn maker. Plus, it sits nicely in a small space, is easy to clean, and the kids can operate themselves.

Red and aqua wire baskets – these are perfect for extra treats… I mean… you gotta make room for the chocolate!

Chalkboard food labels – and although it’s obvious, these are just darling ways to say SWEET and SALTY! And since they’re chalkboard you can change them anytime to say something like DON’T TOUCH… or MOMS ONLY! {grin}

I love styling a bar cart because you have build in dimension, you can move it around and you even have a few different surfaces to hang things from. 

So let’s talk how to put it all together:

• Top level of bar cart – this is where you should place anything that you need to “make.” Meaning if you have to do more than just grab the item, it needs to be on top. And I strongly suggest leaving a little open space for people to sit things (like that soda your kiddo grabbed before making his popcorn).
• Bottom level of bar cart – this is where you place things that can be easily grabbed, like sodas, cups, and oh yes… donuts!
• Spill over onto the floor – I see no need to keep it contained to the cart, these super fun baskets are easy to place and easy to move. Fill them full of goodies and set them in front. And if your kids are anything like mine, you might find your basket sitting next to them during the movie. I don’t allow them to go “overboard” on treats. I mean they do have to pick one or two things (and the rest is safe until next week), but that doesn’t mean they don’t try!
• Go up – we often leave our cart out, so I added more permanent decor to the wall, including this fun chalkboard ticket (that I made). The kids love to write the week’s movie title on with a chalkboard pen. Just another way to keep them excited!

Here’s a closer look at the ticket. It was super easy and lots of fun. And I simply love that my kiddos can write the feature on themselves with chalkboard markers each week. I’ll show the easy DIY on the blog next week.

Family time is so very important to me. I need that scheduled time, something we can all look forward to. And I love that my kids are excited about it each week. What will I do when they’re old enough to date… Eeek! I have a few years… like six… or twenty… so I guess then I’ll just have to invite their dates. {wink}

By the way, my kids are wearing Kohl’s too, the Tony Hawk line. They love his style!

From my family to yours, I hope you have a special night of the week, or month, whatever works into your schedule, just make time to be together.

As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake, create and celebrate!

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This party idea is sponsored by Kohl’s. Thank you for supporting my wonderful sponsors. They make it possible for me to keep the ideas coming! All content, ideas, photography and opinions are that of my own and I’d have it no other way! Photography credit: Amanda Stepp Photography