{valentine’s family night} my top family valentine movies list + yummy popcorn!

One of our favorite things to do as a family is to have a movie night.  Popping popcorn, pulling out the cozy blankets, and all piling on our couch together (we have a sectional so we can all fit!!).  My kids also love all the lights off, just like "the theatre".  Sometimes we'll do a concession stand along with it, where they earn Monopoly money the week before in order to buy treats and snacks at the movie, and that is always a huge hit.  Friday night is pizza and a movie night, and that's generally more laid back of an occasion.  Sometimes it's planned, and sometimes it's spontaneous, but we all love it.

It's no surprise that a Valentine's Day family night is in the works, complete with a fun Valentine movie, pink hot chocolate, and popcorn, of course!  Today I'm sharing my top family Valentine movies, and a super easy and yummy recipe for cinnamon & white chocolate popcorn!

Let's start with the popcorn...

I love popcorn coated with white chocolate, and there are many yummy versions floating around out there. My favorites include English toffee bits or crushed candy canes, but for this occasion, I decided to add cinnamon red hots....LOVE them.  It's the most simple recipe--just three ingredients, but YUM!  I love anything cinnamon, and I think the mellow white chocolate balances it out perfectly.  I think chopped up cinnamon bears would be delightful too...

Now on to the movies...

I grew up on all the old Disney movies (That Darn Cat, Freaky Friday, Pollyanna, Summer Magic, The Parent Trap, and so many more!) and tons of musicals---my favorites include The Harvey Girls, The Sound of Music, Meet Me in St. Louis, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers---I could go on forever.  I still love them to this day, and it's been so fun to start introducing them to my kids. So...it's not surprising that several of them made it onto my top 10 list for Valentine's Day!  I tend to prefer original versions of many movies, as you'll see on my list.  You just can't beat Maureen O'Hara and Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap!

These are all family movies, but some may be more for entertaining toddlers, and others for elementary age--kindergarten and up. I think when they're little is a perfect time to introduce them to all these fun movies, and even my three old boys will watch. I've included links to where you can read about them--just click on the title.

As to where to find them, I would check your local library's video/DVD selection--many times they will carry these older movies.  If you have Netflix or Hulu, you can check there to see what they offer.  Many times you can also buy these movies on amazon, ebay, or other sites for pretty cheap, and they make a great addition to your movie collection!

I also found most of these on amazon.com for instant streaming, for just a couple of dollars.

MOVIES:

The Love Bug (1968 version)

The Parent Trap (original version...1961, with Hayley Mills)

Lady and the Tramp

In the Good Old Summertime

The Happiest Millionaire (one of my favorites!!!)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Enchanted

A Chipmunk Valentine

When planning your own, it doesn't have to be on Valentine's Day, although it certainly could--just depending on your schedule and other plans.  We have a Family Night every Monday night, and this will be the perfect time for us.

SO fun!  Can't wait for our our Valentine's Day Family Night! ♥♥♥

Cinnamon & White Chocolate Popcorn

 

Print

Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

A delicious concoction of white chocolate covered popcorn with cinnamon red hots!

Author: Simply Kierste

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 8 cups popped popcorn ( I prefer air-popped, but you can use microwave)
• 1 12 oz. bag white chocolate chips
• cinnamon red hots

Instructions

1. Place popped popcorn in large bowl.
2. Melt the white chocolate either over a double boiler or in the microwave. For the microwave, place chips in a glass bowl, and cook for 1 minute, then stir to get most of the lumps out. If more time is needed, do it in 10 second intervals, until the chocolate is nice and smooth.
3. Pour chocolate over the popcorn, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to coat each piece well. Add the red hots immediately, while the chocolate is still melty, and stir well.
4. Lay out the popcorn mixture onto a cookie sheet that has been covered in wax paper. Let dry to room temperature, until the chocolate hardens. Break into pieces and serve!

3.1.09

{kierste}