With the holidays comes decorations, cold temperatures, lots of sweets, and of course, Christmas movies. One of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit is to nuzzle up on the couch and enjoy one of your favorites.
From cookies and hot chocolate, to even Christmas ham, it can be easy to conjure up an appetite just by watching these films. So I took it upon myself to recreate some of the holiday treats featured in classic Christmas movies, and let me tell you, I’m still recovering from the sugar rush.
1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
On the night before Christmas, the Grinch snuck through the house and took the Who’s feast, he took the Who’s pudding and even the roast beast!
Between the pudding and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I was definitely feeling like a kid again. I can’t remember the last time I had rice pudding, but it was surprisingly delicious. Way to go, Who’s.
2. The Polar Express (2004)
“Your attention, please. Are there any Polar Express passengers in need of refreshments?”
On the Polar Express, they only have one rule when it comes to hot chocolate: never, ever let it cool.
While I wanted to put on my coziest sweater and bundle up on the couch with my cup of hot chocolate, the 80 degree weather in California just wasn’t helping. I promise I didn’t let it cool, but I was sweating in the process. Iced hot chocolate, anyone?
3. Love Actually (2003)
While sitting in a Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) grumbles, “Who do you have to screw around here to get a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit?” Now cue the cute secretary pushing a trolley full of tea and biscuits.
Channeling my inner Brit, I recreated the Prime Minister’s chocolate biscuit and tea.
Not having high hopes for the British delicacy, I was pleasantly surprised with how these turned out. As for the tea, nothing special. But what can I say, us Americans love our coffee.
4. Home Alone (1990)
“Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen.”
Before his final battle with the Christmas bandits, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) makes himself a heaping bowl of macaroni and cheese (although he was suddenly interrupted and never actually got to eat it).
I didn’t get mine on sale, but the price was still in line with my college budget. Plus, a meal made within three minutes? Agreed, amen.
5. Elf (2003)
As Buddy (Will Ferrell) reminds us, elves must stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.
I must say, I was the most nervous/excited to recreate Buddy the Elf’s breakfast pasta. Just the sight of it was giving me a stomach ache. But for the sake of journalism, and Christmas spirit, I sacrificed my healthy immune system and dove in.
Call me crazy, but it wasn’t terrible. I don’t know if it’s my love for pasta or my addiction to chocolate, but it was so wrong it was almost right. Kind of like In-N-Out’s animal style fries.
Granted, I couldn’t stomach the whole plate. But if you’re curious about giving this a try, I say go for it.
Although I certainly wouldn’t recommend any of these dishes at your family’s Christmas dinner, they could make a fun addition to any ugly sweater party.
Now get out there and go watch Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas.