Covid-19 has kept many families from enjoying their normal family traditions. We have also been encouraged to social distance, leaving most families to enjoy the Christmas holiday at home. My family has started recreating different recipes from holidays movies as a way to spend time with each other, create holiday memories, and as an excuse to watch yet another Christmas movie.
Here are some of our favorite movie and meal combos:
- The Santa Clause & Homemade Hot cocoa. I cannot watch this movie without drinking a cup of hot cocoa. I only wish I had a little Elf Julie who could make her famous 1,200 year old recipe, “Not too hot. *Extra* chocolate. Shaken, not stirred.”
- The Elf & Spaghetti. If you are really adventurous you can add: Red and Green M&Ms, mini marshmallows, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate syrup, maple syrup, and top it off with a pop-tart broken into little pieces.
- Home Alone & Pizza. Another classic Christmas movie I cannot watch without craving pizza. Home Alone references pizza not once, but twice, which is also what leads to Kevin being left at home. Pair #3 with #4 and you have yourself a Home Alone party.
- Home Alone & Ice Cream Sundae. Kevin McAllister’s 10 scoop ice cream sundae is a little aggressive and may leave you with a bellyache the next morning. I am not here to judge, so if you’re ready for a challenge, all you need is Neapolitan ice cream, regular sized marshmallows, chocolate sauce, maraschino cherries, and whipped cream.
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation & Eggnog. Remember everything is fancier in a mug with antlers.
- Die Hard & Twinkies. This involves 0 cooking and is Die Hard actually a Christmas movie? I’ll let you decide. Why a Twinkie might you ask? “Sugar-enriched flour, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, polysorbate 60, and Yellow Dye No. 5. Just everything a growing boy needs.”
- Polar Express & Hot Cocoa. Another classic hot cocoa reference, it is Christmas after all. For an extra treat, use a candy cane instead of a spoon to stir.
- A Christmas Story & Chinese Takeout. If you’re in charge of dinner one night, this is easy. Pick up food from your local Chinese restaurant (support local please) and watch A Christmas Story!
- The Nightmare Before Christmas & Pumpkin Pie. Another classic Halloween or Christmas debate. Settle the debate by enjoying a slice of fresh pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream and spend your evening with the Pumpkin King himself.
- Frosty the Snowman & Marshmallows. I can’t be the only one who craves this treat when watching anything related to snow. Build a snowman made out of marshmallows with the kids and then enjoy eating them while Frosty sings (slightly morbid, sorry).
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas & Who-Pudding. “At Christmastime, my favorite treat is something creamy, light, and sweet. Who Pudding a la Cindy-Lou! And here’s the recipe for you.” The recipe includes rice, vanilla, milk, sugar, butter, and of course, red and green M&Ms. This fun recipe can be found on Suessville.com.
- Charlie Brown Christmas Special & Sugar Cookies. You will need a tube of sugar cookies and hand made (or use cookie cutters) Christmas cookies. Do not worry if they, like Charlie’s tree, look misshapen; it’s the taste that counts.
I believe we all have a little Charlie Brown in us this year. “Christmas is coming and I don’t feel the way I am supposed to feel.”
