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Finale Night Party

Television show finales are now a staple of American entertainment, whether it is a reality show competition or race, or an action-packed drama. So why not make an event of it, and enjoy it with your neighbors?

Most people are willing to share which television shows they love to watch, and finales are exactly the sorts of shows people are willing to watch with others.

Volunteer your own home for a location if it’s suitable. If you don’t have enough room for the number of attendees, you might consider another venue, such as a rented clubhouse. Make phone-call invitations, visit door to door, or – if you live in a community with a bulletin board – post an open invitation. Provide plenty to eat, and, if possible, theme the food and the decorations with what you’re watching.

Helpful hint: Create a quiz card with questions about the events throughout the show’s season, and encourage people to fill these out during your party. If you’re watching a travel-related show, you might include a map with colored pins for people to stick into all the countries they’ve been to. If it’s a survival-related show, you could make up a quiz from The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook (or play the game derived from it).

Televised competitions usually provide the best kind of group viewing and post-discussion since they have a definitive climax. Competitions can also be especially fun since you can each pick someone to root for. Or, you might hold a contest to see who can guess the ultimate winner. Themed outfits and even themed mini-games aren’t out of the question either. Take a cue from the challenges the contestants face on the show for ideas.

This is your opportunity to show your hospitality and spend some time laughing and having fun with your neighbors.

Instant Intentions

Television can sometimes be a source of disagreement between people and often between Christians and non-Christians. Don’t be afraid to explain why you do or do not watch certain shows. Be candid about your decisions, and people will respect you, especially when they experience your love and hospitality during the party. This isn’t a good opportunity for pushing your entertainment standards on others, but it may be a good chance to explain your beliefs and the reasons behind them. Make sure to talk about more than just the show during the event, and be sure to ask around to find out what other finales people would like to get together for in the future.

From the book, Field Guide to Neighborhood Outreach by Group Publishing, 2007.

Have you put a Neighborhood Outreach plan into action? Thanks for your effort in His name! If you’d like to share your experience, please contact me. Your project could inspire even more work for His kingdom (and add a little fun to liven up the everyday lives of Immanuel members and their neighbors). – Lisa Jaeger