4 Tips for Hosting a Successful Cinema Birthday Party
As you get older (and have more birthdays), it can become harder and harder to think of creative ways to celebrate another revolution around the sun. Luckily, a birthday party at a luxurious cinema is always a good option as you can rest assured that there is always a new movie out that people are looking forward to seeing.
If you are thinking about organizing an event like this, read on for four great tips for hosting a successful cinema birthday party.
1. Select an appropriate venue and movie.
First and foremost, the key to hosting a successful cinema birthday party is making sure you choose the right venue. While it (obviously) needs to be able to accommodate your party, you also want to host your event at a cinema that has modern facilities.
In 2019, people have come to expect comfy chairs, large screens, and state-of-the-art sound systems (plus maybe some popcorn)!
Once you have selected the movie theater that you will see the film in, take some time to look through their upcoming showtimes. Then, choose a movie that both you and your guests are going to be excited to see. Perhaps you want to see one of the popular new movies in the UAE such as ‘The Lion King,’ ‘IT Chapter Two,’ or ‘Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.’
If this is the case, then you are certainly going to want to reserve your tickets well in advance as these films are guaranteed to sell out. For the best experience (and to make sure everyone hasn’t already seen the movie), you want to attempt to get tickets for a film that has only recently been released.
2. Get guests excited through the invitations.
Now that you know the venue and the movie, it is time to start inviting your guests.
In order to host a successful event, you want to get your friends energized about the occasion from the first possible moment. This means that you should take some time to craft invitations that not only provide all the necessary information but also get people excited.
When it comes to the required information, make sure the message includes the time, the venue, the movie, and the reason for the event! It can also be incredibly beneficial to include a timeline of the outing so that people know what to expect. Also, don’t forget to ask guests to RSVP by a specific date!
Since birthday gatherings are all about celebration, be sure to transcribe that enthusiasm onto the birthday invitations. First, decide whether you want to send the birthday invites by hand, in the mail, or through email. Then, you can get started with creating them.
Make sure you are customizing the invite with images, fonts, and colors that represent you and the vibe of the event. Get creative in finding a way to make the invites embody your party theme. Keep a positive tone throughout the invite and make sure that the wording sounds welcoming.
3. Plan for logistics.
Once you have heard back from your guests (by the designated RSVP date!), you can then set to planning the logistics. As movies are ticketed events, it is crucial that your guests confirm if they are coming so that you can organize the right number of tickets – as well as extras like food and drink.
Make sure that everyone arrives at the cinema well in advance of the start of the movie so that you can greet everyone and show them to their seats. You want people to have enough time to settle in, get comfy, and relish the theater atmosphere. After all, you want their experience to feel more luxurious than just sitting in front of the home TV.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday party (or a movie-watching session) without some delicious snacks and refreshments. As your guests are going to be sitting watching nearly two hours of film, you want to make sure that you are providing them with an appropriate amount of tasty treats. Traditionally, popcorn and boxed candy are the go-to options for cinema-goers, and these are a foolproof choice.
However, your venue may also have options such as hot dogs, nachos, and complete meals that can be consumed before, during, or after the movie. As it is a birthday party, it would be wrong not to have some cake and other birthday party staples. Just make sure that you get enough so that you can continue treating yourself for a few days after the main event!
4. Work with the cinema.
Some movie theaters offer party packages which will help you immensely when planning for a cinema birthday party.
If this is the case, then you want to work closely with the cinema to ensure that they do everything they can to create the best experience for you and your guests. Even if your chosen venue doesn’t offer party packages, you still want to speak with them to see if they have deals on group tickets.
Additionally, they may be able to provide special screening times that would work well for the rest of your group. Often, movie theaters will have significant discounts for matinee showtimes, which can make a considerable difference when you are purchasing tickets for bigger groups.
When planning a birthday party of this kind, it may be the right time to inquire about a cinema’s loyalty program as well. These loyalty programs are generally the best way to obtain significant savings and special offers.
Usually, movie theater’s loyalty programs enable you to collect points which you can then transfer into rewards like free popcorn, refreshments, or future tickets. Being a member may also give you early access to theatre tickets, special events, and seasonal savings.
Are you considering planning a cinema birthday party this year? If so, which aspects would you like some advice on?
Alternatively, if you have recently organized a similar event, do you have any tips or tricks to share with other readers?
Let us know your thoughts and any relevant experiences you have in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Paul Fox is the Director of Roxy Cinemas under Meraas Group/DXB Entertainments. Roxy Cinemas currently has five Dubai locations: The Beach, La Mer, City Walk, Box Park, and Bollywood Parks.