We’re on month five of a pandemic. Masks are being worn (though not as often as they should be), it’s a toss up as to whether your favorite bar will be open and restaurants are operating at half capacity or less. However, one of the most noticeable absences in this new world is something that gives a unique and precious experience: movie theaters.
While drinks and dinners can easily be recreated in your own kitchen, giving yourself a movie theater experience in your home can be a bit difficult. So, next time you’re in the mood for a custom-made movie night, refer to this article for how to do it right.
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Prepare the popcorn
If you’re someone who treasures the simple things in life, then the obvious solution for you is to buy a box of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn, toss a bag in the microwave and watch the magic happen! However, in the event that you want to make this night a bit more special, we’ve got some tips for you!
If you’re looking for some low-calorie popcorn, Skinnygirl Popcorn has shown to be a particularly promising brand! It was created from a partnership with Orville Redenbacher’s…go figure, I guess. It’s sold at the Publix, Ingles and Food Lions around Clemson, and if you’re doing classes from afar, you can still find a nearby seller at skinnygirlpopcorn.com. They even offer lime-flavored popcorn for our more adventurous readers!
Finally, since we’ve all heard how hard this pandemic has been on local businesses, here’s a way to truly make your movie night something special. Poppington’s is a store in Greenville, SC that sells gourmet popcorn, sweets and more. The real kicker? They sell Clemson popcorn. You and your friends can buy an entire gallon of popcorn that comes in a Clemson tin, and you’ll end up supporting a local business as you rewatch “Pride and Prejudice” on Netflix for the ninth time. They also sell purple and orange popcorn, so do what you will with that information
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Corral the candy
Most would think that the bright lights and warm colors are what make movie theater concession stands so appealing, but they would be wrong. The thing that truly draws everyone in is the meticulously lined candy, arranged to perfection and guaranteed to make your movie night that much sweeter.
Saunter on over to your local grocery store and raid the candy aisle with your friends! Most stores even have the extra large bags, which are perfect for sharing. From Sour Patch Kids to Junior Mints, a single visit to the candy aisle will satisfy the most severe of cravings.
Unfortunately, to our knowledge, there aren’t any local businesses in Clemson that are solely dedicated to selling candy. Downtown’s Spill the Beans, however, is an expert in all things sweet, so you can always visit them for something to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you’re not in Clemson, then take a moment to find the closest mom-and-pop candy store and breathe some life back into your local economy!
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Serve up a smoothie
The perfect accompaniment to the saltiness of popcorn and the dryness of candy is undeniably a smoothie. Since most of us don’t have smoothie machines constantly running in our house, we’ve taken the liberty of providing a recipe for one particularly delicious smoothie. The recipe, titled Rosalind’s Gender Blender, was taken from the book “Shakespeare, Not Stirred,” and then mixed up a bit.
Rosalind’s Gender Blender
½ cup lemon sorbet
½ cup frozen raspberries
½ cup frozen blueberries
½ cup club soda
¼ cup simple syrup
In a blender, puree all the ingredients until a slightly more pink version of Clemon’s purple appears. Pour into an insulated cup, top with some blueberries and suck that smoothie up through a reusable straw.
(For readers over 21 years old, replace the club soda with 2 ounces of vodka and ¼ cup white wine.)
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Make your movie night happen
Once you have assembled the popcorn, candy and smoothie for the night, position a table nearby, so your treats are never out of reach. Then, decide what you’re going to watch, pull it up and let the movie begin! Just remember to keep your group of moviegoers to a minimum number and to practice social distancing. Enjoy your movie night Tigers!
