15 Christmas Movies + Accompanying Food and Drink Recs: The Week Leading Up to the 25th
Film and food recommendations to add a little spice to your holiday get-togethers...
I’ll confess: I had such a long list of Christmas movie and food pairing recommendations, I had to split it into two parts. Today, you’re getting the first installment: A guide outlining what to consume during the week leading up to Christmas (roughly December 18th through 25th.) Without further ado…
When You’re Starting Off Your Last School / Work Week Before Christmas:
Mrs. Santa Claus (1996)
Film Rating: ★★★½ | Food Rating: ★★★★
Definitely not to be confused with the modern horror movie of a similar name, Mrs. Santa Claus is an underrated TV-movie musical deep cut that is both endearing and a master class in the need for unions in American society. The film follows Mrs. Anna Claus, played by Angela Lansbury, at the turn of the 19th Century as she tests out a new, more efficient present-delivery route for her unappreciative husband, Santa. After an emergency landing, Mrs. Claus finds herself in the middle of New York City, meeting a colorful cast whilst singing songs and learning about the women’s suffrage movement, immigration, worker’s rights, child labor exploitation, judaism, and love!
Far from the world’s biggest musical fan, I still have songs from this movie stuck in my head every December. (In other words, fans of Newsies or the 1997 TV-movie adaptation of Cinderella starring Brandy and Whitney Houston will love this film.) I mean, Angela Lansbury dances on tables in front of child laborers and hangs with character actors like Lynsey Bartilson, Terrance Mann, and Sabrina Bryan. It’s just kooky and heartwarming enough to make you smile, and is a great watch if you’re hankering for holiday cheer that’s off the beaten path. The best part? It’s streaming for free on Youtube Movies and a dozen other streamers.
Food + Drink Pairing: Given Mrs. Santa Claus takes place in “melting pot” NYC neighborhoods, it seems only fitting that white wine and fondue be served prior to viewing. As a vegan, I find this recipe to be my favorite, but dairy-consumers tell me The New York Times has a great swiss cheese fondue selection.
When You’re In Need of the Christmas Spirit:
The Santa Clause (1994)
Film Rating: ★★★★½ | Food Rating: ★★★★★
Got a holiday party coming up, but not quite feeling the holiday vibes just yet? “I will turn it on any time in December when I’m not feeling in the Christmas spirit,” My sister, Allison Marsh, says. “The point of The Santa Clause is that, even as an adult, even during the stressful holiday season, it’s important to keep the holiday spirit alive.”
There’s something about Tim Allen’s journey to becoming Santa Clause in the most American way possible — being repeatedly swindled by fine print and harshly misunderstood by society — that makes one realize we can all forge a path forward through the madness with a little optimism and spirit.
Food + Drink Pairing: If there’s no Denny’s nearby, might I recommend some classic milk and chocolate chip cookies. Soy milk, of course, given Santa’s lactose intolerance. You can find my favorite chocolate chip recipe here.
When You’re Kicking Off Your Holiday Break:
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
Film Rating: ★★★★★ | Food Rating ★★★★
The Santa Clause may be the objectively the greatest post-1950’s Christmas movie, but travel back exactly half a century and you’ll find one of the greats that solidified our Christmas-music obsession: Meet Me In St.Louis, the origin of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” I’m pleased to announce I’ll be share a full food review of this film with you all in the days to come! Until then…
Food + Drink Pairing: When it comes to St. Louis, corned beef and cabbage sandwiches on toasted cinnamon swirly bread is the only way to go. If you’re feeling extra fancy, serve Bloody Marys as shots before the show! (Note: Corned Beef is the very dish that drove me to vegetarianism and eventual veganism. I’m also lazy, so if I make dinner I’ll be sticking to this corned seitan deli sliced alternative.
When You’re Spending Your Last Night Alone Before Seeing Family
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Film Rating: ★★★★ | Food Rating ★★★★
This live-action Grinch flick is a master stroke of practical effects, adaptation, and Jim Carrey’s ability to be buried alive in prosthetics daily for months on end for our continued enjoyment.
Food + Drink Pairing: Express your gratitude by breaking out your best spinach-artichoke dip recipe — the one you might have to call a family member up for — and breaking out all of the best dipping vessels. We’re talking multiple types of crackers and chips, maybe even some carrots and celery, too. Little Cindy Lou Who deserves nothing less.
When You’re Watching Movies with Friends and Family Who Like To Discuss Movies Loudly While Watching: A Back-to-Back Christmas Short Films Night
Noel (1992) | The Insects’ Christmas (1912) | Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952) | Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Are you and your significant other picking fights about how many times you’ve seen It’s a Wonderful Life in the past three years alone? For those with short attention spans, tired of of the same old Christmas movies, an evening of holiday shorts is just what the doctor ordered.
It’s best to start with the most unhinged and work down from there.
Noel (1992)
Film Rating: ★★★
First off, we have the little-known 1992 NBC Christmas special Noel, a film that follows a sentient little ornament who, due to the bizarre circumstances of his “birth",” is more emotional than the other ornaments he’s stuck in the attic storage with. If you haven’t seen it, keep an open mind: It’s a romp you can’t miss.
The Insect’s Christmas (1913)
Film Rating: Not Rated or Ratable
Then, in one of the first big swings of stop-motion animation, consider The Insects’ Christmas, a story of how “forest children” like beetles and grasshoppers celebrate the season, too.
Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952)
Film Rating: ★★★★★
Food + Drink Pairing: Before you switch to the next film, grab some peppermint tea and whatever holiday candies you have lying about.
Then, you can sit back and sip while soaking in the familiar comfort that is Disney’s chip and dale running around a Christmas tree and making Pluto’s life a living hell. The painted backgrounds are gorgeous, to boot.
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Film Rating: ★★½
For the grand finale, pop on the animated Frosty the Snowman. Ideally the 1970 re-dubbed version, which replaces the children’s voices with that of real child actors and not a grown lady (comparison listening available here.) I can’t reiterate enough that this is best consumed with family and friends who will discuss these films without pausing; it adds to the ambiance.
A little word to those less than street-streaming savvy: While we would all prefer to watch via proper streaming platforms, the only easy ways to watch Noel, The Insect’s Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman is honestly via youtube and/or the Internet Archive, spare Pluto’s Christmas Tree, which is available on Disney Plus.
When You’re Watching Movies with Friends and Family Who Don’t Like Talking During Movies:
Love, Actually (2003)
Film Rating: ★★★★ | Food Rating: ★★★
When you need to turn your brains off and the romcoms on, look no further than Love, Actually. An instant holiday classic despite Keira Knightly’s problematic stalker, this is one film that’s really a must every year so long as no one talks during the more compromising scenes.
Food + Drink Pairing: Vice has famously called Love, Actually the film with “the worst Christmas food of any holiday movie.” But I happen to think the chocolate digestives that Hugh Grant’s Prime Minster enjoys are delightful. This classic biscuit brand on Amazon promises to arrive well before Christmas.
When You’re Decorating Sugar Cookies and Want Something On In the Background: The Rankin/Bass Stop Motion Animation 1960s-70s Collection:
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970)
Film Rating: ★★★½ | Food Rating: ★★½
Mickey Rooney and Fred Astaire in one iconic motion picture? Need I say more? Put one foot in front of the other and watch this beauty.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Film Rating: ★★★ | Food Rating: ★★
The first LED bulb able to emit red light was invented in 1962, and by 1963 it’s debut in the children’s special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was already in production. I actually find the elves voices pretty grating in this film, but it captivates the youths long enough that it might just allow parents time to make their adult drinks in peace.
The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)
Film Rating: ★★★ | Food Rating: ★½
The holidays don’t quite slap in the same, vibrant way until you’ve heard the seminal work “Snow Miser / Heat Miser” from the film The Year Without a Santa Claus in all it’s glory. Having recently made waves on TikTok as one of the most nonsensical movies in the Christmas canon, this film never fails to deliver conversation topics for adults and children alike.
Food + Drink Pairing: Sipping a slightly-healthier-than-average hot chocolate with mini marshmallows is really the only suitable source of satiation when screening these fever dreams. For kids, these easy strawberry Santa hats look almost too cute to eat! And for the adults, these chocolate coconut date “snowballs” are easy to throw together while you’re making cookies! (Just remember to double check you’ve removed every single pit from every date, lest you break your food processor or blender… not that I’ve done that before…)
When Your Holiday Comrades Are All 21+
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Film Rating: ★★★ | Food Rating: ★★★★
There are some films that might not be five out of five stars, but we need to recommend for ease of reference and communication.
Christmas with the Kranks conveys stereotypes and ideas that would be a million times easier to communicate if one could just include the phrase “like Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis in Christmas with the Kranks” and everyone would know what that meant. (Take the idea of holiday traditions unique to a nuclear family, for instance. A subconscious desperate action to connect with tradition, or harmless cheerful activity?) Brush up on your vocabulary with this ridiculous work, and get a few laughs in too.
Food + Drink Pairing: Assuming you can find it, eat a dinner of smoked honey ham (any recipe will do sans the fictional Hickory Honey Ham packaged variety). Then, watch the film whilst snacking on pistachios, and appreciate the fact that you are not married to Tim Allen’s Luther, who upsets his wife by forgetting her favorite nuts.
When It’s Christmas Eve Eve Morning (December 23rd)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Animated, 1966)
Film Rating: ★★★★ | Food Rating: ★★★½
Christmas Eve Eve is basically Christmas Eve, and Christmas Eve is basically Christmas, and by that logic I can’t believe you haven’t watched the animated Grinch yet!
Food + Drink Pairing: When I was a kid, the VHS we have of this animated classic had a pretty long 90s Berry Berry Kix Cereal commercial playing in front of it (we were one of those families that recorded everything off the broadcast television) so that’s all I can eat when watching this movie. You can still buy the cereal today. The food dyes have gotten a little less pigmented but the spirit of the season is still alive within, trust me. Which leads me to my next pick…
When You’re Up Late At Night December 23rd
The Nutcracker (1993)
Film Rating: ★★★½ | Food Rating: ★★★
I recently watch this ‘90s rendition of the ballet special, and my little heart grew three sizes that day. Starring holiday star Macaulay Culkin and a slew of the country’s best and brightest ballet dancers, The Nutcracker displays New York City Ballet founder George Balanchine's choreography with tasteful camerawork and the most stunning Christmas Tree growing, kid shrinking scene ever put to film!
Food + Drink Pairing: To start, slow roast some chestnuts ideally on an open fire, but a stovetop or oven will do. After you’ve cracked those open with your nutcracker of choice, pass around candy canes and marzipan candies. Top off with milk for the kids and hot toddies for the adults.
Later this week, I’ll be covered what to watch and eat Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and in those glorious days between Christmas and New Year’s. Until then, I’m wishing you and yours the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of holidays! Thank you so much for reading!
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