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’Tis the season to stay in, let the snow pile up outside, and drink hot cocoa while marathoning all the best Christmas films of your youth. Here’s how to make that a little easier.
Download Content
Most streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, allow you to download content. This is a handy feature for when a) you know you want to watch something later, b) you know internet speeds might be a problem, c) you want to watch something offline later (such as if you’re taking your laptop on an airplane), or d) you set things to download overnight.
Imagine this scenario: You and your family want to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve. But you know from past experience that your download speed tanks around that time, possibly because all your neighbours have the same idea (and excellent taste). So you set it up to download the night before. That way, it’s ready to go for the big moment.
To do this, you need to be using a device that has space to store downloaded content, such as a smart TV or a game console.
To download content on Netflix, open the app and select Downloads. Then select See What You Can Download. From here, you can search titles, and from the description page of a title, you can select Download.
On Amazon Prime, just select the title you want to download, then the Download button. You can adjust video quality from here.
On Disney+, you also select the Download button from the title page.
Easily Locate Titles
Not sure how you can stream the B-list Christmas flick Santa Claus Conquers the Martians? Head on over to JustWatch.ca, search the title, and enjoy this particular classic on Amazon.
Watch Something with Someone Remotely
Even if you have family in Vancouver, Peace River, Kapuskasing, and Flin Flon, all of you can get together remotely and watch something. Both Amazon Prime and Disney+ have features that let you do this within the app, and other services such as Teleparty and Kast can help you with other streaming services. See our post on how to watch something with someone remotely for more details.
Use an App to Find a Movie (You Both Want to Watch)
If you and another person are having trouble agreeing on a movie, use the app Search Party to help. Basically, it’s like Tinder but for movies. You swipe until you’ve built up some movies you want to watch, your friends do the same, and you’re notified of matches.
Buy a Streaming Package as a Present
If you’re trying to give experiences instead of things, then why not a streaming package? You could get a lesser-known streaming service like Crunchyroll or Sundance.
Upgrade Your Internet
A 150 Mbps plan will start to look very appealing when poor Scrooge gets all pixelated and frozen before learning a lesson about giving.
