How to Host Better Watch Parties Right from Your Living Room
There’s nothing like a watch party to bring together the people you love over the shows, movies, or events you all enjoy. A lot goes into planning and executing the perfect watch party, from setting the stage to ensuring everything goes off without a hitch. Want your watch parties to become legendary? Then take in our expert tips!
Build Anticipation with Thoughtful Invites
The best way to kick off a watch party is to ensure everyone you want to attend knows about and can attend the event. Creating fun invitations for everyone well in advance benefits everyone. You can reserve the time for the gathering and make last-minute cancellations less likely. Meanwhile, your guests have something to look forward to and can keep the invitation as a memento afterward.
Invites also let you elegantly set expectations. Will this be a kid-friendly event? Are guests encouraged to show up in costume or bring their signature dishes for a potluck? Be creative with your invites and outline how the party will unfold so everyone has a good time.
Create a Cozy Atmosphere
Whether you’re going for a Harry Potter Marathon or watching the Oscars, the right ambiance will elevate the experience.
On the one hand, you’ll want to arrange the living room so there’s enough comfortable seating. If your living room furniture and dining room chairs aren’t enough, fluffy pillows and blow-up mattresses can double as adequate fillers. Provide plenty of blankets to keep guests snug during cold months.
On the other hand, make the night special with the right decorations. A few well-placed candles or LED lights can help set the stage, as can movie posters or themed props. Look online for printable designs and kits you can set up quickly if you don’t have time to make the decorations yourself.
Sort Out Your Tech in Time
Fumbling with the right streaming service or getting that subwoofer to work just as an event you’ll be watching live is about to start is a recipe for disaster. Give all the tech you’ll need to make the watch party happen a once-over well before guests start arriving. This goes double for gadgets you bought especially for the experience, like a new TV or projector.
You’ll also want to check that the content is actually available. As broad as their selection may be, streaming services in your region may not livestream the Eurovision song contest or have the newest season of your favorite K-drama.
Luckily, all it takes is to install a VPN on your Apple TV, for example, and have it change your IP address to a country where the content can be streamed from normally. Your guests might need to read some subtitles, but that’s what they signed up for by RSVPing.
Ace the Refreshments
Watch parties can last for hours, and your guests will get antsy on an empty stomach. While you don’t need to serve up a Michelin-star meal, even short living room get-togethers aren’t complete without some snacks and drinks to lift everyone’s spirits.
You can tackle refreshments in several ways. We already mentioned roping guests into a potluck to remove some strain. Alternatively, you can set up a popcorn or hot dog station so everyone can create the snack combo they love. Don’t forget appropriate cocktails or mocktails and plenty of other drinks to round things out. Whatever you decide, try to have everything ready in time so you don’t spend more time in the kitchen than with loved ones.
Don’t Make It All about the Main Event
A movie marathon or live championship match might be the reason you’re bringing people together, but it shouldn’t be the only one. Hype yourselves up by watching a recap of a show’s last season or having a quick trivia quiz before hitting play. Likewise, make sure to schedule enough breaks so people can take care of their biological and snacking needs comfortably.
Some guests might also be more interested in socializing than watching what’s on offer from start to finish. Create a quiet space away from the main event where they can chat comfortably without disturbing others.
