On my husband’s side of the family we have several families with older children, and their ages range from around six to fourteen. A couple of years ago we chose to move away from the usual toy gifts and started giving a family movie night package instead. It’s a simple, thoughtful gift that works for almost any age and brings people together for quality time.
Why this family movie night gift idea works so well:
- It’s appropriate for older kids who already have plenty of toys or gift cards.
- It’s one present that a whole family can enjoy together.
- It makes a great neighbor, teacher, or hostess gift.
- It’s easy to personalize based on tastes, dietary needs, or family size.
I first got the idea from my aunts and uncles, who used to give our whole family group gifts. In the past I would stop into a store, pick up a tin of microwave popcorn, a pack of hot chocolate mixes and a DVD, wrap them up, and call it good. That’s still a perfectly fine option—easy, inexpensive, and cheerful. Now that I have more time at home, I like to get a little more creative with the presentation.
One favorite homemade element is M&M cookies in a jar. The layered dry ingredients look festive and the jar itself becomes part of the gift. You can find easy, printable recipes for cookies-in-a-jar online—search for “M&M cookies in a jar recipe” to get a step-by-step guide. I used pint-sized mason jars for single batches and quart jars when I wanted to double the recipe. I attached the baking instructions to the lid so the family can simply follow the directions when they’re ready to bake.
Packaging tips:
- Choose a clear mason jar so the colorful cookie layers show through.
- Attach a printed label with the baking directions, or handwrite the instructions on a festive card.
- Secure the label or decorative elements with a dab of hot glue or double-sided tape.
- Add seasonal ribbon or twine around the neck of the jar for a finished look.
Along with cookie jars, I make hot cocoa mix in jars too—rich, homemade mixes are easy to assemble and feel extra-special when presented in glass. I’ll share my preferred hot cocoa mix one day, but a quick online search will give you plenty of recipes for creamy hot chocolate blends you can customize with marshmallows or peppermint.
For the viewing component, instead of picking a single DVD, consider including a gift card that covers a rental service or streaming purchases so the family can choose movies they’ll actually enjoy. Another option is a voucher for a local theater or a gift card for a streaming platform—whatever suits the family’s habits and your budget. This gives them flexibility to plan multiple movie nights rather than using the gift all at once.
What to include in your movie night package (sample shopping list):
- One or two jars of cookies-in-a-jar plus a recipe card
- A jar of hot cocoa mix or single-serve cocoa packets
- A large tin or bags of microwave popcorn or gourmet popcorn kernels
- A rental/streaming gift card, or a family movie DVD if you prefer a physical movie
- An optional cozy throw blanket or pair of popcorn bowls for a personal touch
Age and family-friendly variations:
- For younger children, include family-friendly DVDs or vouchers for animated streaming titles and small individual snack packs.
- For teens, choose more grown-up snack options like gourmet popcorn flavors, specialty chocolate, or cash toward digital rentals so they can select their own movies.
- For families with dietary restrictions, swap in gluten-free cookie mixes, dairy-free cocoa, or nut-free snacks.
This gift is highly customizable, practical, and encourages time together. Whether you go with store-bought items or add homemade touches like cookie jars and cocoa mixes, a movie night package is a thoughtful, memorable present that can be enjoyed by the entire household.
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- Best Gifts for Elementary-Aged Girls
- Best Gifts for Elementary-Aged Boys (ages 6–12)
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