CHRISTMAS MOVIE COUNTDOWN

By Murissa Shalapata

Staying in line with my Halloween list countdown, I have decided to count down the top 5 Christmas films with a little help from a friend that is indispensable during the holidays, alcohol. Especially this is the time of year when everyone attends various holiday parties, it is fun to mix it up a little and explore all the possibilities the holidays have to offer in alcohol

5. Bad Santa (2003)

This show is the anti-thesis of Christmas movies and is great to watch when the kids are out sledding or skating and you are inside with your white russian enjoying the naughty list fo

r a while. Bad Santa features Billy Bob Thornton (Armageddon), Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), andthe late Bernie Mac (Oceans Eleven). Billy Bob is part of a thieving duo that dress up as Santa and rob the unsuspecting malls at night. He meets an 8 year old who brings out the good in him.

For Bad Santa I recommend. as previously mentioned, a White Russian. This drink is rich,

bold and goes down smooth. Instead of cream, make your movie night naughty with a splash of eggnog. Stir Ingredients together and enjoy.

1 1/4 cups vodka

1 1/4 cups coffee liqueur

1 1/4 cups heavy cream

4. Scrooged (1988)

No Christmas is complete without some version of the Charles Dickens classic,

A Christmas Carol. And besides, who doesn't loveBill Murray? I at times prefer this movie as no one complains to watch the nice and tidy version from the 80's where the guy gets the girl and doesn't hurt that it is funny. I really struggles with this drink assignment but this film is sweet and fun so I chose the Candy Cane Cocktail. Just mash up a couple candy canes from your tree to create the frosted rim. Combine the rest in a cocktail shaker and serve.

1 candy cane, crushed, for garnish

2 ounces strawberry vodka

4 dashes white creme de menthe

2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice

Ice cubes

3. Love Actually (2003)

With a around 9 different story lines it is complex and wonderfully 'Christmasy'. It is not very often that such a quality funny Christmas film is successfully created with the full package of storyline and stars. This film explores the different forms of love and the trials that goes with it during the time of year when showing love is expected and most important. There are some heartbreaking story lines but most are hilarious and a joy to watch. This one is great with the Christmas tree glowing to your left and the fire roasting to your left,but then again all of these should be enjoyed that way.

This bubbly movie deserves and equally bubbly drink called the Ginger Sparkler. Made with real ginger, sugar and of course sparkling wine this is an easy drink to make and drink.

Create a syrup with the ginger, sugar and 1/4 cup of water, refrigerate to cool and pour through a sieve so no solids are in your drink. Mix with your choice of sparkling wine and dr

ink. This is enough for 8 drinks.

2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger

1/2 cup sugar

1 bottle (750 ml) dry sparkling wine, such as Cava, Prosecco, or Champagne

2. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) / Meet Me In St.Louis (1944)

We have a tie as both are absolute classics, especially for the holidays. I always try to include both films at least a couple of times before Christmas. It's a Wonderful Life is a more serious film about a man(Jimmy Stewart) who is shown by an angel (Henry Travers) a world without him and how a charming little town becomes a slum if he had never been born.

Meet Me In St.Louis is more of a light-hearted musical with Judy Garland. It shows the life of a particular family in St.Louis during the year the World's Fair had occupied this city. The hype permeated the city and the family. I found this film on TCM one Christmas Eve and fell in love. Although the whole film does not take place duringChristmas, the storyline all comes together during Christmas. If you are anything like me you will be thrilled to see Judy Garland sing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, for which the song was written.

Only a drink as classic as these films can be consumed and of course I have the perfect one, the Winter Solstice cocktail.

Simply combine all liquids with ice in a cocktail shaker but add the soda after you pour it into a glass, then garnish.

1 1/2 ounces orange vodka

1/2 ounce orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice, preferably from Meyer lemons

Ice cubes

Club soda, chilled

1 mint leaf, for garnish

1 raspberry, for garnish

1.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

This film is simply the best Christmas movie written by John Hughes but all his movies are great, especially Trains, Planes and Automobiles with my favourite Steve Martin. My family has put in place a household law that the season for watching this film begins December 1st and ends the 26th on Boxing day here in Canada (which basically is huge sales in the malls). We watch it anywhere from 4-8 times a week and it is the perfect Christmas show to put on while company is over or anytime really. It is hilarious and so much fun. The entire Griswold clan comes together for the holidays

, including the extended family, which causes delightfully terrible chaos. This is a sweet delight and deserves the delectable Blizzard Cocktail.Combine all ingredients in a mug and stir. Place whip cream on top.

1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey or rum

1/2 ounce hazelnut liqueur, such as Frangelico

1/2 ounce Irish cream liqueur, such as Bailey's

Hot coffee

Dollop of Whipped Cream

Hope you all have a happy and safe holiday season!!

I bid you all Malakalikimaka from Oahu this year!

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