Even though I’ve never been a massive movies lover, over the past year or so I’ve come to love occasional movie nights, especially impromptu ones that include homemade popcorns or, around this time of the year, an indulgent whipped cream topped hot chocolate. I’ve never been one that loves to sit in front of the TV for more than one hour and watch something that will be soon done and dusted (I much more prefer TV series, that’s it), but this year there have been so many movies with a lovely intriguing plot I wanted to watch, hence why we installed out movie night blanket + pillow nest quite often on those lazy Saturday evenings!

But if there’s one time of the year when I just don’t care how many hours I’m spending in front of the TV, it must be the Holidays. I’m such a sucker for Holiday movies, anything that includes Christmas trees, fairy lights, Holiday-related plots, snow, it’s just right up my street (all year round, really, but especially) around this time of the year! Between the many installments, we have surely mastered the whole thing like pros, so here are the things I think a perfect Holiday Movie Night can’t really lack on…

Make hot chocolate fancy

If one thing is mandatory on a Holiday movie night, that’s hot chocolate, even better, fancy hot chocolate! One of those thick, indulgent, decadent hot chocolates topped with soft whipped cream and all fancy chocolate flakes. Whilst I’ve always been a lover of head-to-toe dairy hot chocolate + whipped cream (who isn’t anyway?), the one pictured above it’s probably the most delicious, glorious hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted – and it’s dairy free! Completely! … I know.

Coconut milk makes the most creamy, soft, sweet whipped cream that has ever been. And is there a better combo than chocolate + coconut anyway? To make it, I’ve used the recipe I’ve shared here recently (adding an extra teaspoon of cocoa powder for a thicker hot chocolate, replacing the whole milk with soy or rise milk for a non-dairy option); as for the whipped cream, I’ve refrigerated my coconut milk (200ml) overnight, then separated the solid component from the liquid one (which I’ve stored in the fridge – perfect for a healthy smoothie!), added 4 teaspoons of white sugar, and whisked all up until soft and fluffy. Placed in the fridge for around 10 minutes. That’s it!

You’ll hardly believe how delicious it is, I’m telling you! I’ve said goodbye to dairy hot chocolate toppings already!

Festive pjs + hot water bottle

You cannot join a Holiday movie night without festive PJs. You just can’t. Plus I have a feeling that wearing festive PJs non-stop kind of enhance the excitement for the festive season. And yes, I’m living in those PJs since I got them – because why not! Also, a must-have of mine during wintertime, but especially while cozying up in bed or on the couch, is a hot water bottle and piles of blankets and pillows all around. It’s just the perfect excuse for building a nest – next up, a blankets tent.

Must-watch Holiday movies

Last but not at least, the Holiday movies. Because I actually watch them, it’s not just an excuse to drink hot chocolate and cover myself under piles of cozy blankets (even if I’m one of those who falls asleep quite too easily…). But on my Holiday season to-watch list there surely are a couple of rom-com like Love Actually and The Holiday (love this one especially!) but also we’re fan of classical like Home Alone and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (my all time personal favourite, I just love it! Anyone else?!).

Next on our list: Happy Christmas and A Very Murray Christmas. But we’re very open to suggestions!

The checklist

For the occasion I’ve put together a cute and very festive hand-designed little ‘Holiday Movie Night Essentials’ checklist for you to download for free – just use as you like: print, frame or just get inspired! Click the button below and follow the link to download ;).

***

We want to know what your favourite Holiday movies are! As well as all your movie night essentials! Let’s chat in the comments x