Instead of the entire family coming over for dinner or having holiday parties every weekend, Christmas this year will look a little more like this spring — bingeing movies with a drink in hand. Movies have always been a way to escape reality and with COVID Christmas coming up, it seems like a perfect time to watch Christmas movies. Although I have several holiday favorites, I have narrowed it down to five. (Sorry, no Hallmark movies made my cut.) Without further ado, here’s a list of Christmas movies to watch — with a cocktail recommendation.
1. Muppets Christmas Carol Paired With A Glass of Warm Mulled Wine
Yes, the Muppets. A retelling of the classic Dickens tale, the entire cast of the Muppet universe comes together to bring Christmas joy to Ebenezer Scrooge. The sweet characters are intertwined in a dark, but humorous plot that is reflected in the mulled wine pairing. Muppets Christmas Carol is a dose of innocence that all of us could use this season. Plus, I just love Gonzo’s narrative.
2.The Holiday Paired With Grapefruit Cardamom Gin Fizz
Who doesn’t love a good romance? Well, guess what, you get two in one with this chick flick. Staring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black, The Holiday will give you the fuzzy warm feeling you get from watching a Hallmark movie. Two women have break-ups on the opposite sides of the world and decide to spend their holiday alone in another country and let’s just say magic happens. Grapefruit cardamom gin fizz not only matches its pale pink color to this rom-com but allows you to feel the sparks between the main characters.
3. Polar Express Paired With Hot Chocolate and a Splash of Dark Rum
On Christmas Eve, a young boy sees a mysterious train outside his window. After sprinting to catch up, he boards the Polar Express, embarking on a journey to visit Santa Claus. The chill of the North Pole will melt right away with a rich, rum-infused hot chocolate in hand. Buckle your seatbelt for this gorgeously animated adventure that will renew your belief in Santa and the spirit of the season.
4. It’s a Wonderful Life Paired With Cranberry Old Fashioned
When this film first came out in 1946, it bombed. Today, it’s a classic, and everyone recognizes its popular song, ”Buffalo gals won’t you come out tonight.” Add a tart, but rich cranberry old fashioned, and you’ll be transported right back to the 40’s. It’s a Wonderful Life is a beautiful story about a man giving up his dreams to help others. As George Bailey stands on the edge of a bridge, his guardian angel, named Clarence, appears to help him find the reason to live. I believe everyone has a Clarence in their life.
5. Elf Paired With a White Chocolate Peppermint Martini
If you want to laugh hard, watch this Christmas movie. Will Ferrell plays the perfect overgrown misfit elf named Buddy. Discovering that he is not an elf at all but actually a human, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father. This drink pairing, a white chocolate peppermint martini, is as sweet as this comedy but not quite as sweet as all the candy that Buddy eats in Elf. It’s silliness with sweetness wrapped up with a bow.
COVID Christmas is right around the corner and the forecast for spending it with extended family seems unlikely. These five festive movies will help you get into the Christmas spirit, quarantine style. Many of you have seen these Christmas classics, but I encourage you to watch them again with the cocktail suggestion to get the full effect. But remember — binge the movies, not the drinks. Be well and Happy Holidays!