Dinner & A Movie: A Christmas Tradition
Every Sunday, starting with the first Sunday of November, we make a big family dinner and watch a Christmas movie together. It might feel a smidge early to deck the halls and press play on Christmas classics, but there are only eight weekends before Christmas, and I don’t want to rush through this season. I don’t take out the tree quite yet, but it’s definitely coming soon.
Everyone writes down their favorite holiday movie on a slip of paper, and we toss them all into a jar. To be able to meal plan ahead of time, each Saturday, we take turns pulling out the next movie. I’m pairing each movie with a themed dinner and dessert so the whole night feels like stepping right into the story.
We have a long list of favorite family holiday movies, so here’s usually how it goes:
We start the evening at 4pm, which gives us lots of quality time together before bedtime. I get dinner going asap and we eat around 4:30-5, then press play on the movie as we snuggle on the couch together!
The first week, we kick off with Home Alone. Nothing says Home Alone quite like pizza, Pepsi, and ice cream sundaes. We make homemade pizza using my Neapolitan Pizza Dough recipe so everyone can make their own “plain cheese” pizza or pile on toppings however they like. For drinks, it has to be Pepsi, right?! Dessert is a build-your-own ice cream sundae bar with Homemade Chocolate Syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries. Messy, nostalgic, and 100% worth it. This kicks off the excitement for each Sunday ahead.
For Elf, this is where we go all-in on a breakfast-for-dinner theme. Pancakes or waffles get topped with syrup, whipped cream, and crushed candy canes, with a side of bacon or sausage for balance. Hot cocoa with marshmallows and a candy cane stir stick finishes the night for the kids, while adults enjoy a “World’s Best Cup of Coffee” Espresso Martini Affogato to stay in the holiday spirit.
For The Santa Clause 1 and 2, we like to make cookies for Santa and decorate them while watching the movies, using the Vegan Sugar Cookies from my blog. For dinner, we keep it quick and easy with Ginger Meatballs & Jasmine Rice. Simple, cozy, and perfect for a night of family fun and Christmas magic.
The Grinch, whether the cartoon or Jim Carrey version, inspires Who-ville French Dips for dinner. Fall-apart steak bites covered with melty provolone on a toasted bun, served with au jus, plus roasted green beans or a Caesar Salad for a festive green touch. Dessert is all about the Grinch so we have lime sherbet with Sprite and a splash of pineapple juice, or peppermint ice cream sundaes with red hots and whipped cream on top.
Star week brings a Mediterranean vibe to the table with delicious Greek Chicken Gyros, served in pita with tzatziki, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Then sip on tart cherry juice with cherry limeade Poppi, while the adults have Pomegranate Margs to keep the holiday cheer flowing.
For Jack Frost, cozy comfort food is the star. Creamy White Chicken Chili warms everyone up, followed by snowman cones: Vanilla ice cream scoops stacked with chocolate chip eyes, pretzel arms, and mini Reese’s or Rolo hats.
Santa Buddies calls for kid-friendly favorites, so we make sloppy joes for dinner, which everyone loves. Dessert is puppy chow and root beer floats.
Finally, Christmas with the Kranks calls for sliders. We love my Ground Beef Cheeseburger Sliders with cranberry spritzers to drink. And for dessert, we’ll have Chewy Gingersnap Cookies and sip on Cinnamon Eggnog.
With this series, eight weekends of cozy dinners, festive desserts, and classic movies turn into a cherished family tradition. By starting the first Sunday in November, we make sure there’s plenty of time to savor the season, enjoy each movie, and create lasting memories together.
I hope you will be inspired by our family tradition and start one like this as your own!
Merry Christmas!
