Winter has arrived, and with it comes one of the most enjoyable things about the season: snow days! There’s nothing quite like waking up to a blanket of fresh, white snow and the news that school or work has been canceled. While you could spend the day outside, building a snowman, or sledding down a hill, sometimes it’s nice to stay inside and cozy up with your favorite movies. Here’s a guide on how to watch your favorite movies on a snow day.
Choose Your Movie Streaming Service
The first step in watching your favorite movies on a snow day is to choose a streaming service. There are various options, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Each service has a unique selection of movies, so consider which one aligns with your mood. You can also opt for free trials to test them out before subscribing.
Ensure that you have a reliable internet connection to avoid interruptions or delays while watching your movie. Check whether your streaming service offers a download feature, which comes in handy in case of a power outage or if you want to watch a movie on the go.
Set Up Your Viewing Space
One helpful tool to ensure you get the most out of your snow day is a snow day calculator. By entering your location and other relevant information, you can get an idea of the likelihood of a snow day and plan accordingly. Once you’ve confirmed that you’ll have a snow day, set up your viewing space to optimize your comfort. Grab a blanket, some pillows, and perhaps some snacks or hot cocoa. Make sure you have a comfortable seat and that the lighting in the room is adequate. Too much light can create glare on the screen, while too little light can strain your eyes.
Aim for a soft, diffuse light that won’t interfere with your viewing experience. Use a stand or a pillow to prop up your laptop or tablet, preventing you from having to hold it for the entire movie and avoiding neck strain. For TV viewing, ensure that it’s positioned at a comfortable height and distance from where you’ll be sitting. Turn off any distractions, such as your phone or computer notifications, to be fully immersed in the movie without interruptions.
Pick Your Movie
Now comes the fun part: picking your movie! This can be a daunting task, especially if you have a lot of favorites to choose from. Consider the mood you’re in, whether you want a feel-good movie or something more serious. Think about the genre you’re in the mood for, be it comedy, romance, action, or drama. Consider the length of the movie, whether you want a quick 90-minute movie or an epic 3-hour adventure. Look up reviews or ratings to help you decide if a movie is worth watching. Once you’ve picked your movie, sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Create a Movie Marathon
If you’re feeling ambitious, consider creating a movie marathon. This is an excellent way to spend an entire snow day, and you can even theme your marathon around a particular genre or director. Begin by picking a few movies that fit your theme. Make sure you have enough time to watch them all and consider taking breaks in between movies to stretch your legs, refuel, or even take a quick nap. You can also invite friends or family members to join in on the marathon and make it a fun group activity.
Make It a Game
If you’re watching your favorite movies on a snow day alone, you can still make it a fun and interactive experience. Consider turning it into a drinking game or a trivia game. For example, take a sip of hot cocoa every time a character says a catchphrase, or take a shot every time a character dies in a horror movie. Or, create a trivia game around the movies you’re watching and see who can answer the most questions correctly.
Get Creative with Snacks
A snow day movie marathon is a perfect time to get creative with your snack choices. Instead of just grabbing a bag of chips, why not make your own popcorn with unique toppings like parmesan cheese or cinnamon sugar? You could also create your own hot cocoa bar with different types of cocoa, marshmallows, and whipped cream. If you’re watching a themed movie marathon like Harry Potter, consider making themed snacks like butterbeer or chocolate frogs.
Take Breaks
It’s important to take breaks during a snow day movie marathon to prevent eye strain, neck pain, and back pain. Take a 10-15 minute break every hour to stretch, walk around, or do some exercises. You can also use this time to refill your snacks or make more hot cocoa.
Try Something New
Use your snow day as an opportunity to try something new. Consider watching a movie from a different genre or a foreign film with subtitles. Check out the newer releases on your streaming service to see what’s trending. You might discover a new favorite movie.
Enjoy the Snow
Don’t forget to enjoy the snow as well. Take a walk, build a snowman, or go sledding. Fresh air and exercise will help break up the day and prevent you from feeling stir-crazy. Use your outdoor time as a break in between movies.
Conclusion
A snow day movie marathon can be a fun and memorable experience with a little bit of planning and creativity. Grab your snacks, bundle up, and settle in for a cozy day of movie-watching.