This Winter, Skip the Theater and Host a Movie Night at Home

Welcome to the latest edition of Come On Over, Food52 editorial director Julie Vadnal's newsletter that's all about hosting gatherings big and small—without losing your cool. Got company? Sign up here for her emails.

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Last week, I bought three tickets to Wicked, and the grand total was—wait for it—$93. For that price, I’d expect Cynthia Erivo herself to fly through the screen and sing directly to me. That’s not to say the movie wasn’t “thrillifying” (as an Ozian would say), but this week, I’m inviting a few friends over for a movie night at my place—maybe we’ll stream Wizard of Oz?

Nothing beats theater popcorn, but I try. Pour canola oil in a big heavy pot until it covers the bottom, and add enough kernels to cover that layer of oil. Turn the stove to medium, let the popcorn pop, shaking the pot as you go, and add a few generous pinches of salt before pouring the whole thing into the [East Fork Popcorn Bowl] (https://food52.com/shop/products/12792-east-fork-pottery-serving-bowl).

There’s no shortage of throws at my apartment, so everyone gets their own. But the one I’m claiming? Schoolhouse’s Pendleton Wool Blanket. It’s super soft and has a fun backstory: the pattern is inspired by hand-painted board games.

Something about having friends over to watch a movie feels so high school—in a good way. That’s why I’m making this New-School French Onion Dip with potato chips, and maybe even a round of pizza bagels.

It can be tempting to crowdsource your flick, but unless you want to spend 30 minutes scrolling through Netflix trying to decide as a group—a nightmare second only to splitting a bill based on what people ordered—you as the host get to pick what you’re all watching.

If you serve me a cocktail in a dimly lit room and turn on a movie, there’s a 500 percent chance I’ll conk out before the opening credits. Instead, I like to offer up NA cocktails—St. Agrestis’s Phony Negroni is my fave, but I also love our new NA brew with Athletic Brewing, Host & Toast.

No one likes to have to hit pause to get up and get more Phony Negroni. That’s why I fill up a pitcher with matching glassware and bring it over on a tray with snacks.

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What's your favorite movie to watch at home with friends? Let me know in the comments!