Popcorn Picnic

Okay, so I am a little annoyed: Pretty much every children's movie coming out these days is in 3D, which makes it tres spendy to take the family to the movies. Today, we went to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs at 1 pm. For two children and two adult tickets, the MATINEE cost was $39, because the 3D adds $$ to each ticket. Even with our 50-cent bucket of popcorn and a few drinks (which totalled $15), it still made for a pretty expensive afternoon. (Good thing I packed M&M's from home!) Not that we can't afford it, but I think that the movie experience should be available to everyone and I can't imagine that the average family of four will be able to afford this ever-increasing cost.

We try to buy some snacks to support our local theaters, but I think it is time for us to revert back to our former contraband-carrying ways. Yep, you guessed it: The money-saving, BYOB way to make movies fit into a tight budget.

Popcorn Picnic for the Movies

What you will need:

A BIG bag (a great way to re-use that old diaper bag or your backpack from college)

Some cold drinks, like pouch juices, sodas in bottles, water bottles, etc. (We often use refillable sippy cups or water bottles with lemonade in them for the kids, water for me and a can or two of Coca Cola for Tim)

A reusable cold pack from your freezer

1-3 bags of microwave popcorn, divided into paper lunch sacs (number of bags = number or people in your party; amount per bag = amount you can eat in 2 hours)

Your favorite treats. Can include M&Ms, chocolate-covered raisins, snack size Snickers or 3Musketeers, cookies, those damn apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate, whatever you choose will certainly be cheaper than anything you can buy at the concession stand. Heck, for that matter, lobster tails and filet mignon would be cheaper than ANYTHING at the concession stand.

An interesting treat, like Gummy Octopi, to make the kids feel special and like their parents aren't so cheap.

Napkins.

Instructions:

1. Chill all drinks for a few hours before movie.

2. Pop popcorn according to package instructions. Allow to cool completely in a big, wide bowl. Divide into bags. Fold over top of bag to keep mutant kernels from escaping. Set aside.

3. Place cold pack in the bottom of giant purse or bag.

4. Layer remaining ingredients in this order:

Drinks

Candy and treats

Bags of popcorn

4. Add some napkins on top.

5. Cover with a scarf to avoid the prying eyes of theater workers.

Et, voila: You have a perfect Popcorn Picnic!

Head to movie theater and, while in line, mention loudly that you wish you hadn't eaten so much for lunch or dinner "just before we came to the theater". Once in the theater, wait for lights to dim, then distribute drinks and bags of popcorn and treats to each member in your party. Chow down!

Other tips for saving $$ at the theater:

If you MUST have theater-popped popcorn, take a few small bowls with you. This makes it easier to share the popcorn among family members and there's less of a chance everyone will catch the stomach bug you have but won't realize it until AFTER everyone's been sharing out of the same giant bucket.

Bring some kids' cups with lids; we save them from trips to restaurants like Mimi's and Macaroni Grill where they give 'em pretty nice heavy plastic ones with lids. This will make it easy to divide a small or medium drink between kids (or adults) instead of having to buy separate drinks for everyone.

NEVER EVER buy candy at the theater. In fact, I don't know anyone who actually purchases candy at the theater. Why would you want to pay $5.50 for a snack-size bag of M&Ms??? I think most of the candy's been there since the early 80's anyway.

To warm your kids to the idea of not purchasing anything at the concession stand (which, to them, looks like Wonka's own paradise), let them choose their candy from home to bring. They can even carry it in their own pockets. Do remind them NOT to mention that they have their own candy in front of theater staff!

And don't forget: ENJOY THE SHOW!!!!