How to host an epic watch party

By Erin Stafford

Wintertime in Indiana can be brutal. e cold weather and lack of sunshine can lead to feelings of seasonal depression, making it di cult to even get out of bed some mornings. Despite these conditions, winter is a great time to hang out with friends. When it’s too cold to go outside, why not stay inside and enjoy the company of friends with a watch party?

A watch party is a social event in which one person will invite a group of people to watch a speci c event or program on TV. Watch parties can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. Although watch parties are easy to host, it’s understandable if the concept seems a little intimidating at rst. Below, you’ll nd all you need to know to host a fantastic watch party that’ll leave your friends wanting more.

Streaming service accessibility

In order to host a watch party, streaming service accessibility is necessary. e ve golden streaming service platforms are Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu and Netix. Although each and every one of these platforms provide subscribers with a variety of TV shows and lms, Amazon Prime and HBO Max o er the most top-tier programming.

Amazon Prime Video allows its users to rent almost any lm for an average cost of $2.99 to $4.99. Newer theatrical releases may cost more, but most lms are relatively cheap to rent. Besides cheap rental costs, Amazon is the only place to view Amazon original lms like “My Policeman,” “I Am Not Your Negro” and “ e Big Sick.”

HBO Max, on the other hand, is more known for its highly-acclaimed TV series. Shows like “Euphoria,” “Game of rones” and “ e White Lotus” are only available to stream on HBO Max. Getting your friend group hooked on a certain series can even lead to weekly watch parties.

Subscriptions to Amazon Prime Video start at $8.99 per month, while HBO Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month.

Charcuterie board mastery

Every good watch party host knows that food is the way into a person’s heart. Your friends may be entertained with just some- thing to watch, but they won’t be satis ed until they’ve been fed food — and lots of it. When unsure of what to make, put together a charcuterie board for everyone to feast on throughout the night.

Charcuterie boards are easy to make and o er a wide variety of hors d’oeuvres to snack on, so no one will go hungry. All you need is a simple cutting board and a variety of deli meat, cheese and crackers. Simply arrange these items on your cutting board and allow guests to dig it.

If you’d like to get fancy, you can even try making a dessert charcuterie board. Rather than use meat and cheese, ll your cutting board with sweet snack food like Oreos, graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate- covered strawberries. Party guests with a sweet tooth will be begging for more.

Beverage expertise

Just as watch parties require food to snack on, they also require drinks. When watching an exciting lm or TV show, discussions are sure to take place. As people talk on and on about what’s on the screen, they’ll start to feel parched. While water is a necessity, fun drinks can elevate your watch party to the next level. Try making a special cocktail or mocktail for your guests to enjoy while viewing.

For 21-and-over guests, a tasty cocktail can really spice up the viewing experience. Try making a lemonade- avored cocktail with just three simple ingredients. Buy a bottle of Cruzan Blueberry Lemonade Rum and a container of Country Time Drink Mix Lemonade at the store. When preparing the drink, ll a glass three quarters of the way full with ice, water and a few scoops of the lemonade drink mix powder. Stir the mixture and then add a shot or two of Cruzan’s rum for a sweet but boozy cocktail.

For those under the legal drinking age, try making a bubbly mocktail with ice, a Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade packet and club soda. Fill a glass with ice and then pour the Crystal Light over the ice. After that is done, pour club soda over the ice and watch your Crystal Light dissolve into a carbonated dream. is saccharine treat is sure to keep guests hydrated for hours.