Not The Same Old Plate Of Sugar Cookies: Top 10 Food Scenes In Xmas Movies

5. Fanny and Alexander
While the theatrical version of Ingmar Bergman's classic tale begins with one of the most sumptuous Christmas celebrations ever captured on film, the miniseries version made for Danish TV -- and now available on DVD via the Criterion Collection -- devotes its entire first episode to the Ekdahl family's Yuletide merriment. The most notable addition is a dinner scene shot around a huge table where both the family and their servants (who are shocked at such fraternization) share an elaborate feast.

4. Little Women
Gillian Armstrong's 1994 version features an early scene that establishes the generosity and compassion of the March sisters: it's Christmas morning, and after months of scraping by during the Civil War, the family is excited to tuck into a breakfast of sausages, oranges, bread, and butter, but they decide instead to take the food to an impoverished immigrant family who lives down the road. Given that most of us would probably plunge a fork into a stranger's hand before giving him a bite of our Cinnabon, this is an admirable display of kindness.

3. The Ref
Squabbling spouses, unbearable family members, and an irritable jewel thief holding them all hostage is bad enough, but then everyone has to sit around the table and try to choke down a meal of distinctly unappetizing-looking Scandinavian holiday treats made by Caroline (Judy Davis), whose crankiness is matched only by her lack of culinary skills. The fact that everyone at the table is wearing a flaming St. Lucia wreath on their heads just makes it funnier.

2. The Santa Clause
Toy company executive Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) tries desperately to combat the weight gain and beard growth that comes with his new position as Santa Claus, but his new St. Nick instincts get the better of him at a business luncheon where his co-workers order salad (dressing on the side), and he asks for a Caesar with no dressing... and a warm chocolate chip cookie...and a little slice of cheesecake... and crème brulée... and a hot fudge sundae (with extra hot fudge on the side). Scott's salad, of course, goes uneaten.

1. This Christmas
This charming ensemble comedy about an African-American family gathering together for the holidays (in the gorgeous Victoria Park neighborhood of L.A.) features a series of tantalizing meals -- frequently shot from overhead -- being churned out by Ma'Dear (Loretta Devine) with an assist from housekeeper Rosie (Lupe Ontiveros). There's so much cooking and eating in this movie that there's actually a conversation about who's making dinner on Christmas Day versus who's going to cook on Christmas Eve, which leads to a disastrous attempt at gumbo by daughter Kelli (Sharon Leal), whose kitchen ineptitude is a family legend.