By Amy Anderson
Signal Contributing Writer
Ah, the holiday season. Like ornaments and fir trees, yule logs and fireplaces, here’s another classic holiday pairing: Christmas movies and food. Everyone has his or her favorite film — some an essential part of the family tradition. So check out this list of classic Christmas movies celebrating the food and drinks they inspire.
‘National Lampoon’s:
Christmas Vacation’
Clark Griswold’s classic eggnog (“it’s good, it’s good”) is the cure for what ails you — especially if you’re having a “full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency.” So when you’re overloaded by family or got shorted on your Christmas bonus and you can’t take it anymore, pop on this film classic and have a heavily spiked glass of ‘nog. It’ll have you asking: “Can I refill your eggnog for you?” But with a smile on your face.
‘Love Actually’
The way to properly enjoy this English masterpiece is with tea, of course. Get your prime minister on, and serve it with biscuits (that’s cookies, for non-Anglos), but “not the boring ones, with no chocolate.” To me, that’s perfect!
‘Elf’
It’s true that “elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” Well, if a plate of maple syrup spaghetti doesn’t get you, here’s a fun candy cocktail that might.
Mix 1 ounce each of peppermint schnapps and marshmallow vodka with simple syrup and crushed ice in a shaker.
Serve in a glass rimmed with corn syrup and crushed candy canes.
Or, you can serve your favorite martini with the crushed candy canes.
Not into alcoholic beverages? A 2-liter of Coca-Cola will do just fine.
‘The Santa Clause’ and ‘Polar Express’
Whether it’s a warm chocolate chip cookie and Judy’s perfect hot chocolate — it took 1,200 years to nail that recipe — or bopping along to the “Hot Chocolate Song” aboard a train, there’s no more iconic winter quaff than a steamy mug of hot chocolate. And that’s with marshmallows or whipped cream.
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
There’s only one nosh that’ll make your heart grow three sizes, and that’s “roast beast.” I like mine with a little crusty bread and au jus, just like all the Whos down in Whoville.
‘Gremlins’
Everyone knows not to feed a gremlin after midnight, but if you get your pals together for a retro movie night, be sure to serve roasted chicken drumsticks to amp up the shenanigans a bit.
‘Home Alone’
It doesn’t always have to be a spread at the holidays. For nights when you’re by your lonesome and want a quick meal, do like Macaulay Culkin and say your prayers before you sit down for dinner and a movie. In other words, “Bless this highly nutritious, microwaveable macaroni and cheese dinner.”
‘A Christmas Story’
Serve roast turkey and mashed potatoes if you’re able to keep the dogs out of the kitchen, but don’t despair if you can’t. You can always order in Chinese food — roast duck with fried rice preferred — for a “fa-ra-ra-ra-ra” feast.
‘Die Hard’
You might remember that Sergeant Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) stops at a convenience store for a heaping helping of junk food, chief among them Twinkies. The tasty treats make another cameo when Powell describes them to John McClane as being “sugar, enriched flour, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, polysorbate 60 and Yellow Dye No. 5. Just everything a growing boy needs.”
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
Snuggle up with someone who you “love until the day you die,” and enjoy a heartwarming film about one man’s mark on the world. Serve up a couple chocolate ice cream sundaes — but no coconut, unless you’re into adventure.
© 2018 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
