Within the last several years, I’ve seen a big uptick in people throwing watch parties.
Sure, back in the good ol’ days, the whole family gathered around the TV to watch shows together – but that was mostly because homes only had a single TV, and there were only a handful of channels.
These days, we have seemingly endless choices at our fingertips. Half the time, we don’t even have to go to a movie theater to see a new movie. Sports are streaming, and renting DVDs is essentially obsolete. Some platforms still release new episodes on a weekly basis, but there are others that will drop entire seasons at a time.
In other words: content is everywhere!
It makes it so much easier to host watch parties. Now, whether or not that’s really a factor in the growing popularity of these get-togethers, I don’t really know. I don’t have any data to support it. However, I have noticed a correlation between the two. It could be a coincidence, but it seems pretty easy to assume there might be a link.
Anyway, I’ve hosted a few watch parties here and there, and I have definitely attended plenty. I have even seen weekly watch parties being held at bars. But the real fun ones are the homegrown kind: the ones you or your friends host at home with lots of friends and even more snacks.
There are a lot of different kinds of watch parties. They can be for favorite TV shows, a newly-released movie, or the Super Bowl. Revisit an old classic film, or binge the previous season of a series before the new season drops. Really, if you can watch it, it’s suitable for a watch party! It just needs to be something that others want to tune into, too.
If you have never thrown a watch party before, it might seem a little intimidating. How do you host everyone to watch something, without it turning into a snoozefest? Do you keep it simple and casual? How much planning do you need to do?
I’m no party planning expert or anything, but as I said, I have thrown a few watch parties here and there. And get this: I have even hosted a successful Super Bowl party and I don’t even care that much about football. I do care about parties and my friends having a good time, though!
So, how do you go about planning the perfect watch party? While many of the details will depend on what you’re watching with friends and family at said party, there are a lot of key aspects that will make any watch party gathering a good one.
Get Those Invitations Out
The most important part of any party? The guests! It’s not much of a party without them. That’s why you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to send out those invitations to friends and fam. You want to make sure that everyone has enough time to plan ahead and put it on their calendars. It’s up to you if you want to send out old-school invitations via snail mail, or a digital one through email or text.
Speaking of planning ahead, invitations are important for a second reason. This can help you plan ahead, too. Having your guests RSVP will give you an idea of how many people are coming. That will help you with literally every other step when it comes to organizing your party.
I’ve seen a trend in recent years with people not RSVPing and then showing up, but putting together a successful event hinges on having enough for everyone. Trust me on this one. I once had a handful of people RSVP for a birthday party, and then something like forty people showed up. It was madness.
If you aren’t getting those RSVPs back as you need, pester them with texts until they do. And then tell them it is rude not to RSVP for such an amazing watch party.
Themes, Anyone?
It sounds silly, but everyone loves a good theme. No, themes aren’t just for kids’ birthday parties. Having a theme to center everything around really takes a regular get-together to the next level. It sets the mood and boosts excitement. People really do love any excuse to dress up or bring out costumes. Plus, having a theme will make planning food and decorations much easier for you.
This is probably easiest when it comes to Super Bowl parties. The theme is kind of built in, isn’t it? Everything is themed around the teams playing and football in general. But if you’re having a watch party for a TV show or movie, you’ll have to figure out easy ways to theme the aspects of your party without going overboard. Going overboard means it might lose the fun for you.
Plan the Menu
Now that you’ve got a guest list and a theme, it’s time to plan the menu! You can’t leave out the food. It is usually an integral part of any celebration. Half the people who show up are likely just coming to hang out and snack!
Again, don’t go overboard here. While you want to stick with something that fits the theme (Jabba the Hummus for May 4th, anyone?), you don’t want to make things too difficult on yourself. Stick with simple and tasty favorites. Store-bought chocolate cupcakes instantly look Super Bowl-ready with the addition of white icing football laces. If you make the food prep too complicated, you’ll wind up stressing yourself out. And, that stress might carry over into the watch party, which no one wants.
Related: Simple and Delicious Appetizers for Your Next Holiday Party
Get Your Space Ready
Having a clean and organized space ready for your guests is a no-brainer. You want to make sure that your home is fit to receive visitors, and you want them to feel comfortable and welcome. But getting your space ready can mean a few other things when it comes to a watch party.
First and foremost, you need to ensure there is enough seating for everyone. Couches and chairs are the obvious choices here, but you can get creative for watch parties. Why not spring for some big, plush floor cushions? Or, move large furniture out of the way and spread out blankets for guests to sprawl out on, outdoor movie style.
The screen is the other big factor here. With a watch party, it’s the one thing that literally everyone will be paying attention to. I am not going to tell you to go out and buy a new one, but they’re relatively inexpensive these days in the event you’re still rocking the same TV from 2001. Make sure your TV isn’t smudged up with fingerprints (especially folks with kids!), and throw some fresh batteries in the remote.
If you really want to go all out for a watch party, though, it might be time to join the big leagues. And by that, I mean get a projector! A projector used to be one of those bougie items that only a few people could afford, but they’re pretty cost-effective these days. In order to pick a good one, pay attention to the projector’s resolution and lumens. For more on picking the best projector, I got into it when talking about backyard movie night essentials! They aren’t just for outdoors and can turn your living room wall into one giant screen.
Give Your Neighbors a Heads Up
Even if you aren’t exactly besties with your neighbors, it’s always a good idea to stay on their good side. Giving them a heads-up about your watch party is courteous and will help keep the peace on the street. This is especially important if you have one of those neighbors that has no problem calling the authorities for even the most minor infractions. If you prep your neighbors ahead of time, you likely won’t run into any issues during the watch party.
Let them know that you will be having people over. It will ensure they expect to see extra cars parked along the street, or that there might be more noise than usual. Chances are, your neighbors won’t mind at all. Just don’t let your guests run through the streets in the middle of the night or anything.
Enjoy Yourself!
Maybe it’s just me because I’m a perfectionist, but it’s really easy for me to get lost in working a party instead of actually partying. By “working” I mean everything it takes to run a party. I often find myself refilling drinks, continuously putting out more food, picking up trash… you know, all the fun stuff that prohibits me from actually enjoying myself.
Make a checklist of everything that needs to get done the day before the party, and use your prep time wisely. If friends offer to help, take them up on it. And when the party starts, it’s time to let go and enjoy your time with your guests.
