Our Last Summer Gathering; a movie night under the stars

Madeline May
Aug 5
6 min read

We watched Ratatouille!! Here's the snack table!

As summer began to wind down, I knew I wanted to host one final gathering—something that felt relaxed yet memorable, simple but special. So I planned an outdoor movie night in our backyard: a quiet celebration of the season we’d just lived through and a gentle transition into the slower, cozier months ahead.

In this post, I’m sharing how I brought it all to life—from setting up an outdoor projector screen under the stars to creating a warm, inviting atmosphere with nothing more than blankets, soft pillows, and flickering candlelight. It doesn’t take much to create magic; a few thoughtful touches can turn an ordinary evening into something unforgettable. For snacks, I put together a s’mores board filled with graham crackers, chocolates, and marshmallows ready to be roasted fireside. I also assembled a movie snack tray with classic favorites like buttered popcorn, chicken nuggets, and candy—easy, nostalgic comfort food that everyone loves.

There’s something timeless about gathering under the night sky to watch a film together. It slows time in the best way. Hosting this movie night reminded me why I love creating moments like this—moments that turn a house into a home and a backyard into a memory. It was the perfect way to close out summer, and now I’m already planning a fall version: think cozy blankets, seasonal treats, and maybe a warm drink station with cider or hot cocoa.

Whether you’re planning your first movie night or looking to elevate your usual routine, I hope this post gives you all the inspiration you need to create something special with the people you love—no matter the season.

The Nostalgic Movie Night Menu:

Build-Your-Own S’mores Board

A cozy twist on the classic summer treat—with options for everyone.

I’m a big believer that food should be both fun and beautiful, and this S’mores Board is exactly that. Whether you're hosting a backyard movie night, planning a fall bonfire, or just looking for a sweet weekend treat, this board is the easiest way to make everyone feel a little extra special. All you need are a few good ingredients, a little variety, and something gooey on the side. Here's what I used:

Ingredients (aka the magic)

Graham crackers – Classic and always reliable
Fudge-striped cookies – These add such a nostalgic crunch and built-in chocolate layer
Milk chocolate bars – A must
Cookies & cream white chocolate bars – Creamy, melty, and perfect for mixing things up
Toasted marshmallows – I baked mine in a cast iron skillet so everyone could scoop them straight from the dish (and they toast evenly in the oven—no fire needed!)

How to Serve It

Preheat your oven to broil. Layer mini marshmallows into a cast iron skillet or oven-safe dish. Broil for 1–2 minutes (keep an eye on them!) until golden and toasty. BE CAREFUL with the broiler - you NEED to keep your eye on it because it may burn quickly!

Assemble your board. I used a wooden cutting board and grouped everything by type—crackers on one side, chocolates in the center, cookies fanned out for that visual moment.
Add the marshmallows fresh out of the oven and serve immediately while they’re hot, gooey, and perfect for scooping.

Tips:

Mix and match your chocolates! I love using different types so guests can build their own perfect combo.
Not a fire pit night? Bake your s’mores in the oven like I did. Just sandwich them and pop in the oven for 3–4 minutes at 350°F.
Want a fall version? Try adding cinnamon graham crackers, dark chocolate with sea salt, or even a little caramel drizzle.

This was one of my favorite parts of our outdoor movie night, and now I officially want to make one for every season. Something about choosing your own combo and making a (sweet) mess just feels like joy.

Extra-Gooey Condensed Milk Rice Krispie Treats

Why Condensed Milk?

Adding sweetened condensed milk to Rice Krispie treats is a total game-changer. It gives them a richer, creamier texture and helps keep them soft for days—no more dry or crumbly bars by day two. The condensed milk also adds a subtle caramel-like sweetness that makes the whole treat taste just a little more elevated and nostalgic at the same time. It blends perfectly with the melted marshmallows to create that extra gooey, stretchy pull you want when you bite in. If you’ve only ever made the classic version, trust me—this one feels like the grown-up, bakery-style upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Big, soft, bakery-style bars that taste like nostalgia—but richer.

There’s something so nostalgic about Rice Krispie treats—but I wanted to take the classic and make it bigger, softer, and more indulgent. These are not your average cereal bars. They’re extra gooey thanks to sweetened condensed milk, super thick, and have just the right amount of chew. You’ll never go back to the boxed version again.

This is the kind of recipe that turns a simple moment into a memory—make a batch for movie nights, fall bake sales, or just because you need a little sweetness in your day.

Ingredients:

1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
1 bag (10 oz) mini marshmallows (plus 1 extra cup for folding in)
¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Pinch of sea salt (optional but delicious)

Instructions:

Prep your panLine an 8x8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it. (For extra chunky treats, don’t go bigger than 9x9.)
Melt the baseIn a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter until fully liquid. Add the sweetened condensed milk and stir until smooth.
Add the marshmallowsPour in the marshmallows (minus the extra cup) and stir slowly until completely melted and glossy. Once smooth, stir in the vanilla and sea salt.
Fold in the cerealTurn off the heat and gently stir in the Rice Krispies. Once halfway mixed, fold in the remaining cup of mini marshmallows—this gives you little gooey pockets in every bite.
Press into panScoop the mixture into your prepared pan. Lightly butter your hands or use a silicone spatula to gently press the mixture down. Don’t press too hard—this keeps them soft and airy.
Let set, then slice thickLet them cool at room temperature for about 45 minutes to an hour. Then slice into big, bakery-style squares.

Tips:

Don’t overheat the marshmallows. Low and slow makes them stretchier and gives you that perfect pull-apart texture.
Add-ins? You can fold in mini chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, or even a swirl of cookie butter or Nutella if you’re feeling wild.
For bakery-style shine, drizzle with a little melted white chocolate once cooled.

Movie Night Snack Basket

The easiest way to make everyone feel like they are at a movie theater + no cooking on your end

If you’re short on time or energy but still want your guests to feel like you thought of everything, this snack basket is the ultimate low-lift solution. Even if you don’t prep a single homemade treat, this simple setup will leave everyone happy & full! Plus, there's nothing more perfect for a movie night than candies and snacks!

I used a woven tray to display an assortment of classic movie snacks and added some pretty paper plates and floral napkins to keep it cute but functional. The mix was easy but thoughtful— I tried to put in something for every craving.

What I Included:

Lesser Evil popcorn (feel free to use microwavable butter popcorn as well!)
Doritos & Cheetos – for the spice lovers and salty snackers
Red Vines – because you have to have a nostalgic candy moment
Snickers + other chocolate bars – for that sweet-savory balance
Plates and napkins – because little details make a big difference
Talenti Ice Cream - not pictured! but I filled a small tin container with ice and a few ice cream flavors!!

You can absolutely customize this based on your crew—swap in sour gummies, trail mix, or sparkling drinks. The goal is simple: make guests feel welcome and cozy, without adding stress to your setup. It’s proof that you don’t have to go over-the-top to create a beautiful moment.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard movie night or just want to elevate a casual evening in, this basket is a reminder that hospitality doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be thoughtful.

The Ultimate Savory Snack Tray

Because not everyone has a sweet tooth—and everyone loves finger food.

No movie night is complete without something savory, and this tray was gone ten minutes into the movie. It was crispy, cozy, nostalgic, and honestly? Just fun. I wanted to serve something that felt casual but still intentional, so I put together this loaded board of freezer-favorite classics. It’s the kind of spread that reminds people of sleepovers and childhood, but elevated just enough to feel special.

I chose everything I was craving that night haha!

Here’s What I Served:

Chicken nuggets – always a hit
Mini corn dogs in crescent rolls – so cozy and crowd-friendly
Jalapeño poppers – crispy, cheesy, and a little spicy
French fries – classic and perfect for scooping up sauce
Popcorn chicken + crispy tenders – for variety
Ketchup + ranch for dipping – because there’s no such thing as too many sauces

This tray is the perfect savory addition to a movie night spread, and the best part? Everything can be popped in the oven while you set up blankets and cue the projector. There’s no need to overthink it—just choose your favorite frozen apps, warm them up, and arrange them with love.