Festive films and food: 8 recipes to match Christmas movies

It’s time, time to bring out the Christmas films. You think it’s too early? We don’t.

Here are the best movies to enjoy over the festivities. While they might not all have food as their central theme, their Christmassy greatness makes up for that. Plus, find out the appropriate things to nibble or slurp while watching them, to make like a proper fan…

1. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

Barbara Stanwyck plays a food writer who conjures glorious features about what she cooks on her farm. Except she can’t actually cook. When her publisher decides her piece for Christmas should see her cooking for an injured war hero, can she keep her secret?

Watch with: Traditional Christmas cake and snow

2. Trading Places (1983)

Anarchic Christmassy action from back when Eddie Murphy’s comedy was actually dangerous. Plus, Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche add a dash of old Hollywood.

Watch with: A bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich – oh, and almond milk eggnog…?

3. Die Hard (1988)

Because nothing says Christmas like Bruce Willis in a dirty vest. Actually, it’s the Christmas Eve party setting that makes this Yuletide fare. And don’t forget to say “Yipee-ki-yay, mutha…”

Watch with: Christmas canapés and ginger champagne cocktails

4. The Thin Man (1934)

This Dashiell Hammett adaptation is known more for its drinks consumption that for its Christmas setting, but you’d have to be a real Scrooge not to fall for William Powell and Myrna Loy’s charms.

Watch with: Lashings of olive-garnished martinis.

5. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

A strangely faithful Dickens adaptation, all things considered. Michael Caine plays Scrooge absolutely straight, as all hell breaks loose around him.

Watch with: Erm, apple and bourbon roast smoked ham?

6. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

A Christmas mainstay, the film’s key food scene is pretty much a two-hander between George Bailey and his Pa, where George defines all his unachieved ambitions. It’s hard to tell what they’re eating, but they do have some fine looking mini cornbreads.

Watch with: A big box of tissues.

7. Elf (2003)

You can’t get much more Christmassy than Elf. And it has three key food items: gum stuck on the railings at subway stations, maple syrup on spaghetti and cookies.

Watch with: The best chocolate chip cookies, please.

8. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

With its two important relationship-revealing Christmas scenes (and that visit to the deli), we think we can squeeze in this rom-com gem.

Watch with: An orgasmic leftover turkey sandwich (recipe in the December issue of delicious.) or partake in some caramelised pecan pie.