Christmas Movie Treats
The holidays might look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t adapt your traditions to fit with the times. One of my biggest holiday traditions was going to the movies on Christmas Eve, but with almost all theaters in my neck of the woods currently closed (some with no re-opening dates in sight), that probably won’t be happening this year… It will be possible to stream some new movies directly from your home, and I have to admit that I am looking forward to watching Soul (2020, dir. Pete Doctor) on Disney+ and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020, dir. Patty Jenkins) via HBO Max, both of which will be available instantly on their respective streaming platforms on Christmas Day. However, it is still not quite the same as the experience of actually going to the movie theater during the holidays…
Instead of planning to venture out of the house, or dwelling on the things that cannot happen this year, it makes far more sense to make the best of things and use this year as an opportunity to plan elaborate ways to watch some of your favorite holiday films and embrace the opportunity to pair them with even greater snack potential… Staying home can truly have its perks! Put the popcorn aside (or, you know, have a bowl on hand if you absolutely need it) and check out some of our suggestions for our favorite Christmas movie & festive food pairings! Below are just some of the wonderful beverage and food suggestions that you probably won’t find at any movie theaters… So, what are you waiting for? Round up your snacks, raid your pantry, order some takeout, or plan that socially distanced last-minute trip to the grocery store, and then sit back, relax, put your feet up, cuddle with your loved ones and/or fur babies, and create your own, unique, ‘movie theater’ experience right from the comfort of your own home!
Holiday Staples
The Polar Express (2004, dir. Robert Zemeckis) with Hot Chocolate
My favorite moment in this animated film is the moment that the tap-dancing waiters burst through the train car, handing out steaming cups of cocoa to the excited children on the way to the North Pole. I always imagine this must be the perfect cup of hot chocolate in every way, and with each viewing, I desperately want a cup. – Bailey 🚂
The Santa Clause (1994, dir. John Pasquin) with Sugar Cookies
I cannot help but chuckle every time I watch The Santa Clause, particularly during the scenes in which Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), aka Santa Claus, repeatedly complains to his doctor about packing on the pounds during the holiday season and is told to lay off all the milk and cookies… The irony is just too perfect! What better food pairing for this film than classic homemade sugar cookies? You don’t have to get too fancy either (unless you really want to), as some nice cut-out cookies in various holiday-themed shapes, sprinkled with colored sugars, are always a festive option during this time of year! You would be hard-pressed to find a more appropriate holiday-themed film and food pairing than this. – Sarah 🎅
Pasta!
Elf (2003, dir. Jon Favreau) with Spaghetti
Spaghetti is heavily featured in this Christmas comedy about a human man who believes he's a Christmas elf and his adventures in New York City. Buddy (Will Ferrell) prefers his spaghetti topped with M&Ms, marshmallows, and (his favorite) maple syrup. Feel free to make all of that optional in your plate of pasta, but, I mean, am I the only one who wants to try a bite? – Bailey 🍝
The Holiday (2006, dir. Nancy Meyers) with Fettuccine Alfredo
There is no denying that The Holiday is one food-filled film from beginning to end! From the opening party scenes, to Amanda’s (Cameron Diaz) food shopping spree, Iris’s (Kate Winslet) impromptu Hanukkah party, Miles’s (Jack Black) Starbucks-fueled film score game at a Blockbuster, Graham’s (Jude Law) hot chocolate making, and to the New Year’s Eve party that concludes the film, it is abundantly clear that one of the driving forces of the holiday season (and this film) is, undoubtedly, the food… But the one scene that absolutely ‘gets me’ every single time that I watch The Holiday is when Miles offers to make Iris fettuccine alfredo on Christmas Eve after they have both wallowed in self-pity over their recent breakups… What else can I say? I’m absolutely charmed by this scene, and will forever associate fettuccine alfredo with The Holiday. This movie and food pairing is a perfect match in my book, and certainly not something you would typically find at a movie theater... – Sarah 🍜
Nostalgic Favorites
The Nutcracker (1993, dir. Emile Ardolino) with Walnuts
Despite the bizarre stunt of casting Macaulay Culkin as the Nutcracker Prince, this production of the New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker remains an annual tradition for me. The astounding choreography by George Balanchine is utter perfection (whenever Culkin is out of frame, at least). What better way to enjoy this balletic wonder than with a bowl of walnuts to crack yourself! – Bailey 👑
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951, dir. Sidney Lanfield) with Old-Fashioned Lemon Drops
Okay, so lemon drops might not be at the top of everyone’s holiday candy list, but this traditional hard candy pair perfectly with the Bob Hope Christmas comedy The Lemon Drop Kid! This funny little film features one of my favorite Christmas songs, “Silver Bells,” which was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, and was first sung by William Frawley when The Lemon Drop Kid was filmed in July and August of 1950. The song began gaining popularity with many of its subsequent recordings (released starting in October of 1950), and was swiftly followed by the theatrical release of The Lemon Drop Kid (in March of 1951). The film follows the antics of the titular ‘Lemon Drop Kid’ (Hope), who gained his nickname from constantly sucking on lemon drops, and who just happens to owe a rather large sum of money to a well-known gangster after a mishap at the racetracks… The film is full of laughs, Christmas charm, and too many Santas to count! I cannot imagine watching this film without a jar filled to the brim with lemon drops! – Sarah 🍋
What are your favorite holiday movies and food pairings? What do you think of our suggestions? And… have you watched Die Hard yet? Share your thoughts in the comments below and check back soon for more festive and fun-filled, holiday-themed posts!
Copyright © 2020 Sarah Crane & Bailey Lizotte
