This post contains a sponsored inclusion of La Crema but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
"Sometimes all I want to do after a long day of work is throw on my favorite new show, eat my go-to snacks, and relax. At the same time, I often yearn to spend more time with my friends, especially as our lives get busier. I am here to tell you that there is a way to achieve both of these things, and that solution is hosting a streaming party.
A streaming party is basically a version of your favorite book club meeting but with movies or shows as the centerpiece. Sometimes it’s hard to find time to finish a book before book club, but with a streaming party, all you have to do is show up, watch, and get ready to discuss in real-time. You can even host virtually for your long-distance friends. See below for all the steps you need to take to host the streaming party that will have your friends asking when the next one is.
5 Steps to Hosting a Streaming Party Guests Won’t Want to End
1. Choose the show or movie
Perhaps the most important step of all, start planning by deciding which movie or show you want to stream at your party. The possibilities are endless, but there are several categories to consider, depending on the vibe you’re going for. If you’re looking for a laid-back evening, consider a rom-com, comedy, or musical to keep the mood light and fun. A nostalgic rewatch of shows from your childhood can also be relaxing, but beware, it may spark new emotions as you see the show in a new light (which is, of course, great for discussion). If you’re most excited about a heated debate with your friends afterward, pick a drama, fantasy, or long-standing series that gives audiences a lot to talk about. And if you’re really feeling adventurous, have your guests vote on the show or movie before you begin planning! Looking for inspiration? Here’s a list of movies and TV shows that are perfect for streaming with friends.
How to elevate the experience: Rather than invite guests over for one special feature, curate a list of movies or TV show episodes according to a theme. For example, you can host a Meg Ryan night for your girls and watch You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, and Sleepless in Seattle. Or you can queue up a series of seemingly disconnected movies or episodes for that have one thing in common (like a director, filming location, or common quote) and challenge your guests to figure out the mystery. If a multi-feature streaming party isn’t in the cards, you can also set up recurring watches (with either a theme or perhaps a newly released series with weekly episode drops) either weekly or monthly. The possibilities here are endless.
2. Invite your guests
The guest list is the foundation of any great party. When it comes to streaming parties, you want to keep the guest list relatively intimate—especially if seating is limited. Consider the amount of space you have and determine how many people could snuggle up comfortably while still having a good view of the TV. A smaller guest count will also ensure there is an opportunity for conversation and a post-viewing discussion (or heated debate if that’s your friend group’s vibe). With too many people, a singular discussion or even a peaceful viewing experience isn’t always possible. Keep this in mind whether you’re inviting just the girls or a wider friend group.
You also may want to tailor the guest list to the movie or show you’re screening. Maybe your rec soccer team has been talking about watching Bend It Like Beckham or you want to have your girls over to watch Practical Magic to kick off fall. Selecting guests based on a show or movie picked just for them is a sure way to make them feel special.
How to elevate the experience: Sure, you can send a text with a time and place and get to the rest of the planning, but if you really want to wow your guests, a custom invitation is the way to go. You can customize a free Canva template like this one or this one for your event (including details like the feature presentation, time, place, and what to bring, of course) without needing to be a graphic design pro. You can also use this as an opportunity to provide fun details like outfit inspiration—is this a cozy night in, or do you want to encourage guests to dress up as their favorite character or wear an outfit that is inspired by the character? If these options are a little too extreme for your taste, you can always suggest that guests wear an accessory that reminds them of the show or movie.
Source: Alaina Kaz
3. Decide on the fare
And now, my favorite part of all: snacks. If you’ve selected a show or movie that revolves around food, you are in luck and can try to replicate the foods the characters eat. If you are like me and are not a great chef, keep it simple with a spread of chips and other snack foods, a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses, or a crowd-pleasing dessert like cookies or cupcakes. If you’re feeling really fancy, you could even use icing to write a famous quote from the show or movie on your dessert. As an alternative, don’t be afraid to engage your guests and ask everyone to bring a themed snack to share.
For drinks, you’ll want to treat your friends to something everyone will enjoy. In my hosting experience, wine is always a crowd-pleaser. It pairs well with everything, it’s easy to pour and serve, and it makes any event feel even more elevated. But keep in mind that not all wines are made equally. Sure, it’s easy to run to the store and mindlessly grab any bottle you see, but to really impress your guests, you’ll want to serve them a high-quality wine. La Crema is our go-to artisanal wine any occasion—from brunch to date night and beyond. All of their wines are thoughtfully made—from carefully harvesting their finest grapes to aging their wines in French oak barrels which gives their wine a unique flavor blend of cinnamon, clove, and vanilla. I recommend grabbing a variety of bottles so you hit each of your guests’ potential tastes and preferences. Start with a classic crowd-pleaser like their Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, and then round out your selection with a white (the Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent pick) and a rosé (the Monterey Pinot Noir Rosé is a good choice for balance). If you’re unsure of how many bottles to have on hand, check out our wine serving guide.
How to elevate the experience: Don’t get me wrong, I love a casual snack and drink situation as much as the next person. But if you want to make this night really special, go the extra mile by presenting each of your guests with a personally curated snack bag upon arrival. With a little bit of recon work beforehand you can figure out your guests’ favorite candy or treat and put it in a gift bag with a chic popcorn bag, wine charm, and custom movie ticket made specifically for the party (remember those beautiful Canva invitations you made earlier? Use a movie ticket template like this one to create a cute souvenir for the evening).
La Crema
Use code LCEVERYGIRL for 15% off and free shipping when you buy four or more bottles!
West Elm
Crate & Barrel
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West Elm
Crate & Barrel
Amazon
Amazon
4. Get your space ready
Next up is arguably the most fun part of planning: decorating. If you don’t have a screen in your home other than your laptop or phone, consider connecting your device to an inexpensive projector. To create a background to project on, simply tack up a white sheet or use a blank wall to turn your living room into your own personal movie theater. This can be an especially fun way to watch if you’re going for a more nostalgic theme. If you do have a larger screen available, make sure it’s set up in a place where everyone has a good view. If seating is limited, pillows and cushions on the floor are great options. For virtual parties, make sure you test out the program you’re using to stream in a group to avoid any technical difficulties.
How to elevate the experience: A chill, simple night in might be just what you have in mind, but if you really want to go all out, lean into the theme you’ve selected for the night and decorate accordingly. Brainstorm by keeping the main themes and characters in the show or movie in mind. Are there any inside jokes that reoccur that you could play into? Are there iconic lines you could incorporate into your space? For example, if you’re hosting a Ted Lasso streaming party, maybe you hang up the “Believe” poster near the viewing area. If it’s a scary movie, bring out your Halloween decorations and add some fake cobwebs to the mix. As an extra bonus, you can hand guests a themed accessory when they walk in. For example, everyone gets handed a coffee mug when they walk into a Gilmore Girls-themed streaming party. Last but not least, don’t forget to change the lighting in your space to reflect the overall mood.
Amazon
Amazon
5. Host the party!
The beauty of a streaming party is that the main event is built into the evening, so all you really have to do is sit back and enjoy the fruits of all your hard work and planning. If you’re going for a chill, easy get-together with friends, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Afterward, you and your friends can have a casual discussion about what you watched.
How to elevate the experience: If you’ve decided to lean into your streaming party’s theme, include themed kick-off activities and plan discussion questions for afterward. There will inevitably be some downtime as guests start to arrive, so it’s a good idea to have an activity on hand to kick the night off. This could include trivia, a quick game, or even a recap challenge if you’re watching a new season of an existing series.
After you’ve finished the movie or episodes you planned to watch, the most lively part of any streaming party can begin. Much like a book club, you can have prepared discussion questions to inspire debate after it’s all over. Refill the snacks and drinks, read your questions out loud (or maybe even have a presentation ready to go), and allow the debate to unfold. Take note of the room as the discussion goes on and make sure to have lightning round questions where everyone in the room has a chance to participate. Above all, have fun and enjoy time with your friends as you stream your hearts out.
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of La Crema but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.