As the winter chill sets in and lights twinkle up and down the block, December beckons us to cozy up with loved ones in front of the television. There’s no better time than this to gather around the screen, wrapped in warm blankets, and lose ourselves in the magic of Christmas movies. But why stop at same-old, same-old snacks when you can treat your tastebuds too? You can make movie night even more memorable with delicious movie-themed bites. We’ve assembled a menu of the best Christmas movie food for your next themed get-together.
Imagine holiday-themed tipples like mulled wine to toast the beloved George Bailey and piping hot mugs of hot cocoa that transport you to the cozy cabins of “The Polar Express.” We’ve even included a few twists on the famous “Elf” spaghetti — hold the maple syrup. From heartwarming comedies to animated adventures, each movie offers an opportunity to explore the season’s best flavors. So, grab your remote, stock your fridge, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey through the Christmas classics we know and love.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is the perfect companion for a cozy night in with the timeless classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In fact, we like to think the rich aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and orange transports you right into the story. This warm, spiced beverage begins with the scene in Nick’s Bar. Clarence the Angel briefly considers ordering a flaming rum punch before selecting a mulled wine. Serve it like Clarence and “go heavy on the cinnamon and light on the cloves” and ladle it into your favorite holiday mugs.
Get the recipe: Mulled Wine
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Jell-O Salad
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is nothing short of wacky—why not serve a dessert that’s just as unexpectedly wonderful? For those uninitiated in the Griswold family’s hijinks, the gelatin dessert pays homage to Aunt Bethany, the lovable older aunt in the movie decked in head-to-toe Christmas plaid and carrying a lime green gelatin mold.
Creamy, fruity, and straight-up delicious, our peach salad is an easy make-ahead dish. It may not be green, but it’s a throwback treat that’s sure to delight everyone watching. So grab your jiggling treats and settle in for a night of laughter.
Get the recipe: Peach and Marshmallow Salad
Love Actually: Chocolate Biscuits (aka Cookies)
Do you feel your movie marathon needs a touch of British charm? It really isn’t the holidays without Hugh Grant’s charming take on the Prime Minister in “Love Actually.” Moreover, dunking these cookies in tea (a quintessentially British practice) adds an extra layer of fun to your viewing experience.
To whip up a batch of these “Prime Minister’s Biscuits,” start with a simple cookie dough, amped up with plenty of cocoa and espresso powder. A final drizzle of melted chocolate makes these cookies simply irresistible.
Get the recipe: Cocoa Cookies
A Christmas Story: Chinese Food
Chinese food and “A Christmas Story” go together like Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun, making for a deliciously nostalgic movie night. Our recommended Speedy Vegetable Lo Mein offers a modern twist on the tradition. This pairing nods to the film’s iconic final scene where the Parker family, with their Christmas turkey ruined, finds solace in a Chinese restaurant that’s open on Christmas Day. This easy recipe uses frozen Asian stir-fry vegetables to bring a ton of flavor and texture without much work at all.
Get the recipe: Speedy Vegetable Lo Mein
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Hash
Our take on “Who Hash” gets its inspiration from Dr. Seuss’s animated classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” This is one of the many dishes the green Christmas curmudgeon throws out when he ransacks the village of Who-Ville and goes through their fridges and cupboards, filled to the brim in preparation for the Christmas feast.
And since you’d be hard-pressed to find “roast beast” at your local grocer, we’ll settle for a plate of corned beef hash. We’ve customized our version with the addition of a variety of veggies; try parsnips, sweet potatoes, or spinach for a fresh spin.
Get the recipe: Corned Beef Hash
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Brownie Peppermint Bark Bars
Cue Vince Garibaldi’s jazz piano soundtrack and deck the halls with your scrawniest, wimpiest Christmas trees. Charles Schulz’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” hits a soft spot for moviegoers of all ages, so you’re best prepared with a platter of peppermint-laden brownies for your movie night crowd—Peppermint Patty approved. For extra “brownie” points, consider doubling the batch and packing extra bars in holiday goodie bags for your guests to take home.
Get the recipe: Brownie Peppermint Bark Bars
Elf: Spaghetti
This playful dish nods to one of the film’s most iconic and hilarious scenes, where Buddy the Elf concocts his idea of a gourmet breakfast. Invite your guests to twirl their forks through a plate of delicious pasta that thankfully skips Buddy’s sugar-laden toppings.
Instead of maple syrup, our spaghetti is brightly colored with pink and blue food coloring to capture the whimsy of Buddy’s version. Simply toss with olive oil, Parmesan, and butter for a colorful delight. But we admit not everyone wants their dinner to look like it passed through the Seven Layers of the Candy Cane Forest. For a more classical take, we like this simple take on spaghetti that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Bonus: It comes together in only 30 minutes.
Get the recipes: Rainbow Spaghetti with Parmesan and One-Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Marinara Sauce
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Reindeer Chow
Rudolph Chow is a festive twist on the beloved puppy chow snack, which is the perfect treat to munch on while screening “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” This sweet and crunchy concoction captures the whimsy and charm of the classic stop-motion animation. Sharing a bowl of this easy-to-make dessert will bring your moviegoers to the couch in no time. Just be careful — like Rudolph’s nose in a snowstorm, this irresistible snack might steal the show!
Get the recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Reindeer Chow
Home Alone: Cheese Pizza & Mac and Cheese
As you watch Kevin McCallister outsmart Chicagoland’s brightest burglars with his ingenious booby traps, your guests get to indulge their own inner child with this cheesy, comforting dish. This five-ingredient meal is a mash-up of two all-time kids’ favorites — pizza and mac and cheese—which Kevin dines on during the film. Get the little ones in on the action by letting them top the casserole with the pepperoni. Or try serving this indulgent dish in individual ramekins, allowing everyone to protect their own “house” of cheesy goodness from potential invaders (or just eager forks).
Get the recipe: Pizza Mac and Cheese
White Christmas: Sandwiches
Buttermilk and liverwurst, anyone? That’s what’s on the menu during the late-night rendezvous between two star-crossed crooners. Deli sandwiches make for a delightfully nostalgic pairing with “White Christmas,” bringing a taste of 1950s Americana to your movie night.
We’ve gone for a more traditional sandwich with our Ultimate Deli Sandwich. You’ll find almost all the fixings for this classic ham, turkey, and Swiss sandwich at the deli. The recipe is endlessly versatile; use your favorite meats and cheeses along with flavored hummus for a modern twist.
Get the recipe: Ultimate Deli Sandwich
The Santa Clause: Ice Cream Sundaes with Two-Ingredient Hard Shell
Yes, Santa is usually associated with cookies, milk, and hot cocoa. But Tim Allen’s Scott Calvin is not your typical Santa Claus. Before he makes his move to the North Pole, he’s got to place his lunch order among the salad-eating corporate crowd. In the famous scene, he follows along with the other diners and orders a Caesar salad with dressing on the side. But, Time Allen’s Santa quickly switches gears and begins to order dessert after dessert—including a decadent hot fudge sundae. We like to pay homage to this Kris Kringle with these delicious and satisfying Ice Cream Sundaes with Two-Ingredient Hard Shell.
Get the recipe: Ice Cream Sundaes with Two-Ingredient Hard Shell
The Polar Express: Hot Chocolate & Cookies
Hot chocolate is the quintessential companion for a cozy movie night streaming the musical animated feature “The Polar Express.” In fact, there’s a whole musical number dedicated to the beverage, featuring tap-dancing waiters who serve the beverage from an ancient samovar without ever spilling a drop. The effect is nothing short of magical.
As the train chugs through snowy landscapes, treat guests to sweet sipping chocolate made extra creamy with canned coconut milk. Marshmallows are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to toppings: There’s also caramel sauce, crushed cookies, whipped cream, donuts, stroopwafels, Irish cream, Cointreau—the list of mix-ins and toppings goes on and on.
Get the recipe: Creamy Hot Chocolate with Snowmen Marshmallow Floaters
Happy holidays and enjoy your movie night feast!
