Alone on Christmas Day? 10 movies to watch plus their perfect snack pairings

Love Actually actually goes well with mixed nuts and cream soda

“‘Twas the month before Christmas, and all through this movie,

eight different couples are discovering love isn’t always groovy.

But viewers can watch this great film with delight,

By enjoying munchies (and soda, that’s right!).”

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, the above poem summarizes the plot of Love Actually.

In addition to keeping us captivated with various stories about various duos’ love lives, the movie is a favorite because it takes place in the rush up to Christmas. Oh, and did we mention that the London setting makes us feel oh so cosmopolitan?

We have to mention the actors, who all qualify in our Man Crush Monday lists. There’s the always dapper, suave Colin Firth, the roguish and adorable Hugh Grant, and lovely Liam Neeson. Actresses include many of our favorites as well, such as Keira Knightley and Emma Thompson.

Reviewer Roger Ebert gave Love Actually  three and a half stars out of a possible four, noting that the movie is ” jammed with characters, stories, warmth and laughs.” And the “sea of romantic comedy” that writer and director Richard Curtis has created makes it perfect for immersing ourselves on Christmas Day.

What’s the perfect snack to go with Love Actually? Love can be both salty and sweet. And at least for us, we’ve found that a romance can become, well, kind of nutty. That’s why we recommend you purchase a deluxe jar of salty mixed nuts (we love you cashews mixed with pecans mixed with almonds mixed with peanuts) sipped with the sweetest of cream sodas.