Top 10 food moments in Christmas films

1. Elf

Starting your Christmas festivities with a bowl of spaghetti and tomato sauce drizzled with maple syrup might be the quirky choice of Buddy in Elf, but we think there are far more delightful ways to kick off your festive celebrations.

Why not indulge in our tempting Christmas breakfast recipes? From festive spiced loaves to fluffy pancakes and simple yet delicious egg dishes, we have a selection to make your morning merry and bright.

And there’s always a time and a place for a hearty mound of pasta. If this unconventional breakfast scene has you yearning for some Italian comfort, explore our delicious spaghetti recipes for inspiration.

2. Home Alone

Two small trifle glasses filled with apple crumble ice cream sundaes

Home Alone is packed with memorable food moments, not least the scene where Kevin’s family indulges in a pizza feast – only to leave him without any! If you’re inspired to host a pizza party, look no further than our handy guide filled with helpful pizza party ideas, from alternative bases to cooking methods. With a variety of delicious pizza recipes at your fingertips, you can ensure that no one goes hungry like poor Kevin.

Our favourite foodie highlight, however, has to be Kevin’s cheeky indulgence as he digs into a towering ice cream sundae while watching a film that’s a bit too scary for his age. To recreate that blissful experience, explore our collection of delightful ice cream sundae recipes and ice cream topping ideas.

3. When Harry Met Sally

Film purists may debate the festive credentials of When Harry Met Sally, we think its delightful array of Christmas scenes and heartwarming montages perfectly captures the holiday spirit. Among the many memorable moments, one food scene stands out: the unforgettable diner scene featuring a generous pastrami sandwich. It’s not every day that someone is inspired to say, “I’ll have what she’s having,” but we believe our pastrami sandwich recipe is sure to evoke the same enthusiastic response.

For more delicious creations that will impress your guests, explore our range of sandwich recipes.

4. Bridget Jones’s Diary

While Bridget Jones might be moping about her mother’s annual turkey curry buffet, we think it doesn’t sound all that bad! Ignore the bushy-haired, middle-aged bores and help yourself to seconds.

Why not check out our leftover turkey curry and serve up your own buffet. We also have lots more Christmas leftovers recipes or New Year’s Day recipes to choose from for a varied festive spread.

5. The Polar Express

Where better to enjoy a hot chocolate than on a magical train journey on Christmas Eve to uncover the secret of Santa? With waiters tapping their feet and the conductor serenading the sweet beverage, it truly feels like the ultimate hot chocolate experience.

Gather your family or friends, snuggle up, and enjoy one of our indulgent hot chocolate recipes while watching The Polar Express. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in a magical animated film that captures the essence of Christmas. Try our luxury chocolate with marshmallows, or for an extra festive twist, don’t miss our gingerbread hot chocolate. The addition of double cream turns it into a decadently thick and glossy treat.

6. Die Hard

Though it’s not primarily known for heartwarming messages or traditional Christmas spreads, bonding over this action-packed showdown can be just as rewarding as curling up with a romantic comedy. After all, it features one of the most iconic lines in cinematic history: “Yippee-ki-yay!”

Admittedly, with the film’s relentless pace, food moments are few and far between. However, one standout scene is when Sergeant Al Powell loads up on a mountain of Twinkies at a 24-hour convenience store, just before he’s called to check on Nakatomi Plaza. The bemused clerk quips, “Thought you guys just ate doughnuts…” and is unconvinced by Powell’s claim that the treats are for his pregnant wife.

If you’re gearing up for a thrilling movie night this Christmas, why not explore our ultimate family film night recipes and Christmas family film night recipes for inspiration? Just because Powell strays from the classic police snack doesn’t mean you have to! Indulge in one of our delectable doughnut recipes.

7. Gremlins

Like Die Hard, Gremlins may not fit the traditional wholesome Christmas film mould, but it certainly boasts its fair share of memorable food moments. The entire plot revolves around food. When Billy receives a cute and fuzzy Mogwai as a gift, everything seems perfect – until he’s tricked into feeding it after midnight, unleashing a horde of nightmarish creatures. One particularly memorable scene features Stripe, one of the more sinister Mogwai, cleverly breaking Billy’s alarm clock to make him believe it’s still before midnight, leading to chaos.

For a fun viewing party with friends, why not celebrate this scene with some succulent chicken wings? Raise a toast to the start of the misadventure with our best chicken wing recipes, perfect for sharing on a platter.

Another notable, if slightly unsettling, food moment occurs when one of the gremlins first appears, indulging in Billy’s mum’s festive gingerbread men while she watches in horror from the doorway. Whip up your own biscuits using our gingerbread recipe. And if gingerbread isn’t your favourite, we have plenty of other delightful Christmas biscuit recipes to try out.

8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Many of us can relate to the festive chaos depicted in this film, where the holiday spirit is tested as in-laws arrive and tensions rise. To ensure your Christmas dinner goes off without a hitch – unlike the infamous Clark Griswold – we highly recommend trying one of our top turkey crown recipes.

If you’re concerned about ending up with a dry turkey, fear not! We’ve compiled an array of helpful tips, including expert advice on how to cook a turkey crown perfectly and how long to cook a turkey. Plus, our handy roast timer will take the guesswork out of timing, adjusting for the amount of meat you have.

9. Trading Places

Clementine, fennel & cranberry roast salmon

Have you ever encountered a Santa as tragic as Louis Winthorpe III in Trading Places? Picture this: he’s drunkenly riding a bus, having pilfered an entire salmon from a party spread, and he’s munching on it straight from beneath his costume. The thought of all that false beard hair and sweat mingling with the fish is enough to make anyone recoil! We can certainly understand if this scene has put you off salmon for life.

But fear not! Our Christmas salmon recipes are a world away from that rather unappetising image. We’ve curated a collection of delicious dishes that showcase this omega-3-rich fish in its best light. From elegant bakes to vibrant salads, our hundreds of salmon recipes will have you embracing this versatile ingredient. Dive in and discover the delectable possibilities that await!

10. The Grinch

Bourbon biscuits in a metal cup and in a stack

The Grinch may have had the wrong attitude towards Christmas, but he was spot on about one thing: it’s all about “feast, feast, feast, feast!” From Who-pudding to the rare Who-roast beast, festive feasting is at the heart of it all. Now, while we can’t share his disdain for a delicious spread, we can certainly sympathise with that overstuffed feeling – much like when the Whos force-feed the Grinch before being paraded around in celebration.

If you’re in search of thoughtful homemade edible gift recipes – the kind even the Grinch couldn’t refuse – look no further. From our indulgent buttery fudge to our handy guide on creating the perfect Christmas hamper, we’ve got everything you need to make someone’s festive season extra special. Who knows, your homemade creations might just make their heart grow three sizes!