It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Not just because you can dress yourself and your dog in matching ugly sweaters, and not just because Santa Claus is coming to town. But because Elf is played on TV on a loop. So, while you’re busy decorating and wrapping gifts (6-inch ribbon curls are a must), why not enjoy an Elf dinner and a movie night, and watch Buddy take on New York City?
Now, we all know that the four food groups are candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup, but should you want to get a bit more creative than that, here are some recipes that will have you skipping for joy.
Get your Elf on
Before you can enjoy the world’s best dinner (great job, everybody!), you have to get the movie ready:
MOVIE: Elf (Don’t have it? Get it at Amazon or see more options)
RUNNING TIME: 1 hour, 37 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE: 2003
RATING: PG
STARRING: Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan
Dinner and a movie: Your Elf menu
And now, for our feature presentation…
Appetizer: Holiday marshmallow popcorn cake
If you are looking for something to munch on before dinner, try to refrain from snacking on cotton balls. Instead, try a mishmash of goodies like Buddy would.
This recipe for holiday marshmallow popcorn cake from Recipe Girl includes a couple of elf favorites like M&M’s and the aforementioned marshmallows all molded together — you know, so it’s easier to dip in syrup and cram into your mouth.
Entrée: Filipino spaghetti
If you insist on eating real food (and not candy), then spaghetti is Buddy’s specialty. It isn’t a human tradition to pour maple syrup on top, but you can have it a bit on the sweet side if you make this Filipino spaghetti recipe from Pinch of Yum.
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Some sweet spaghetti recipes call for banana catsup, which will really sweeten the pot. However, this particular recipe calls for another kid favorite: hot dogs.
Side dish: Roasted brown sugar carrots
Even if acclaimed author Miles Finch isn’t a fan of vulnerable tomatoes or self-conscious asparagus children, some type of vegetable should make an appearance during your Elf dinner and a movie night.
These roasted brown sugar carrots found on MakeItGrateful.com from Chef in Training have a hint of sugar, but they officially qualify as vegetables, so you can claim you’ve had a balanced meal.
Dessert: Cookies, cookies and more cookies
Buddy had to walk through seven levels of the candy cane forest and pass through the sea of twirly, swirly gumdrops before he hit the Lincoln Tunnel. You can probably get through at least seven layers of these delicious cookies before he hits Gimbels. This yummy recipe takes a classic sugar cookie recipe and gives it a twist.
Reindeer are a vital part of Christmas. Not only do they help pull the sleigh around to millions of homes without even racking up frequent flier miles, but they are also able to spot imposter Santas who sit on a throne of lies.
Celebrate these regal creatures on your Elf dinner and a movie night with some reindeer cookies from MakeItGrateful.com. Important tip: Make sure all the cookies are accounted for and eaten lest someone try to shove 11 of them in the VCR.
Beverages: Sweet cocktails
Elves celebrate with shot glasses of milk when they finish their Christmas rush on the toy production line. Here is a recipe for some milk with a kick: a peppermint White Russian. Just be wary of with whom you share it, because gnomes drink too much.
MORE: Want a tasty seasonal snack? Here are 9 mind-blowing ways to flavor roasted pumpkin seeds
Buddy isn’t a fan of coffee — but he runs on syrup. When he discovers that you can combine the two, he gets the whole mailroom dancing.
See if you can get your crew up and bumping to “Whoomp! (There It Is)” after serving these chocolate espresso martinis from MakeItGrateful.com. If you really want authenticity, you can save a little Hershey’s chocolate syrup and squirt it directly into your mouth as a garnish, just like Buddy would.
Bonus! Santa’s house cake
Buddy wanted to make a gingerbread house with Walter Hobbs and was flatly denied. But you can still make this mini house of cake from I Am Baker for Santa, with or without Walter’s approval. It looks just like the one Buddy grew up in at the North Pole. Not only will everyone marvel at your creative confection, but all participating taste buds will undoubtedly give it a thumbs up, too.
