Netflix PersuAsion, Pretty Little LiArs Style

There are lots of reasons you might want to convince someone to watch a show you love; maybe you want to sit next to them and watch it together, or you just need someone to talk to about it, or you just know they’ll love it.

Now that John and I have been married more than 15 years and together much longer than that, we’ve heard all of each other’s stories. Our conversations now are made up mostly of talk of our kids and their shenanigans, each of us asking the other “What’s wrong?” followed by “Nothing, what’s wrong with you?”, and quotes from movies or tv shows we’ve watched together.

Frankly, the movie and tv quotes are sometime the best conversations, and there’s something awesome about having a familiar quote to pull out at just the right situation. As an example, we recently went to a restaurant and the server told us the kids could play with a touchscreen and that we shouldn’t worry because they couldn’t break it. John and I, in unison, told him, “Challenge accepted!” (Name that show! Yes, it’s How I Met Your Mother.)

John and I love a lot of the same shows, but there are just some we don’t share. One of them is a guilty pleasure of mine – Pretty Little Liars. If you haven’t seen it yet I’ll say (no spoilers here) that it’s about a group of friends who are tormented by an anonymous texter who identifies only as “A”. Craziness ensues over 7 seasons.

John’s seen a few episodes (under duress), and he wasn’t a huge fan. Apparently, cute clothes and accessories, cute guys, snarky teens, and completely unbelievable plot lines don’t appeal to him. Weird.

However, I KNOW my friend Samantha, will be a big fan, but she hasn’t watched the show yet. Since “A” in the show is known for delivering gifts and surprises, I decided that would be a fun way to introduce her to the show and try to persuade her to watch it.

My first step was to make a list of little items that seemed very “Pretty Little Liars” to me – dark sunglasses like Jenna’s, masquerade masks, big accessories, a diary (for secrets!), and pink hair streaks (like Aria’s) – and then went on a shopping spree at my local dollar store. I found a glittery pink journal there, and dark glasses, and I decided to also include a couple small popcorn buckets, battery-powered flickering candles, and some tissues for the sad moments. There were also some small gift boxes, a roll of brown paper, a red sharpie, and some artificial black roses for packaging everything up.

I couldn’t find a mask or hair streaks there (although I know they are sometimes available), but I found those on Amazon for a few bucks. A big beaded necklace I had that I’ve never worn because it’s not my style (although I could definitely see one of the Liars wearing it!) went in too. I think if I didn’t have this one I could have found something suitable at the dollar store.

The shipping box was one I had set aside and I had save the bubble wrap too! Everything went into the box, with some notes on some of them. I cut the black flowers and leaves off the stem and sprinkled those around the box.

I also included a list I wrote of reasons why Samantha (who also loves the Gilmore Girls) would love Pretty Little Liars:

10 Reasons You’ll Love Pretty Little Liars

The girls love caffeine almost as much as Rory and Loralei (from Gilmore Girls).
DRAMA! Mystery, thrills, melodrama, scandal, hysteria, commotion, etc. It’s all there.
Cute guys.
Fashion and accessories.
Rosewood is basically Stars Hollow. In fact, it’s the same set! They even have some of the same landmarks.
Pretty Little Liars has the best insults and one-liners.
Girl power!
Familiar faces – Holly Marie Combs (Charmed), Chad Lowe (Life Goes On), Annabeth Gish (Mystic Pizza), Larisa Oleynik (10 Things I Hate About You).
Friendship goals.
You NEVER know what’s going to happen.

I wrapped the box in the brown paper and had to leave a little “A” note on it!