The release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is almost upon us! Books rarely make this amount of buzz, and even fewer books get midnight release parties.
For many book lovers, the upcoming release of Cursed Child may be their first midnight release party ever. So to help you out, we’ve compiled some tips to help you survive the night.
Get a goodnight’s sleep the night before, you’ll be up late!
The book comes out at midnight. The last thing you want is to start dozing off around 11 p.m.! Not to mention the fact that you have to start reading the book once you have it (you didn’t stay up that late for nothing, right!?).
Dress up! It’s fun and it’ll help you get in the mood to celebrate!
Forget Christmas in July. It’s all about Halloween in July. Harry Potter gives us a reason to dress up as our favorite witches, wizards, goblins and house elves. Many bookstores run costume contests as well, so be sure to bring your best robes and don’t forget your Hogwarts house tie!
Go with a friend!
It’s fun and safe to travel together. Not only that, but going with a friend guarantees that you’ll know someone there. And having one person you know might make you more confident about introducing yourself to others!
Get there an hour or two early to enjoy all the pre-release fun!
The activities are half the fun! Many bookstores go above and beyond when it comes to keeping fans excited and busy. Take part in the festivities and make a night to remember!
Meet up with online Harry Potter friends!
If you know people you’ve met online who are going to attend, wear a badge that has your social media username on it so they know who you are IRL. (When meeting up with people you’ve met online, always remember to exercise caution! Take a friend and stay in a public area, never agree to go with them anywhere secluded.)
Bring a pen to write down the social media usernames of people you meet.
Chances are many of the people you meet at the party will have Twitter and Tumblr accounts like you. Be sure to exchange your social media handles so you can keep in touch and even share your thoughts on the book after you’ve both read it!
Call the store ahead of time to see if you need to do anything special before showing up.
Be prepared! You’re not going to want to miss out on anything. Calling the bookstore in advance is a sure way to make sure you’re ready for an awesome night.
Bring a portable battery charger for your phone!
Wizards might not have phones, but as a muggle you do! You’re going to want to take lots of photos of the night and post to your Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat accounts. All of that will drain your phone’s battery! Be sure to have a portable charger on hand for when your battery’s about to die.
Support your local bookstore!
If you’re fortunate enough to live near an independent bookstore, be sure to check out the party they’re throwing. Indie bookstores tend to be very community-oriented and often have some really cool activities planned for book events like these.
Did we miss any tips? Used any of these yourself? Let us know, and have fun at your midnight release, Potterheads!
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