An Ode to ‘The Holiday’ and Christmas Fettucine
I’m someone who loves creating new traditions— things that make each time of year feel special. And one of my favorites of late has been getting friends together to watch ‘The Holiday,’ the 2006 Nancy Meyers film with an all-star cast of Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, and Jack Black. It’s one of my favorite Christmas movies and a top comfort movie for me anytime of year.
There’s just something about a Nancy Meyers film that makes you want to live there. I have spent years deciding whether I would rather have Kate Winslet’s cozy little Surrey Cottage, or Cameron Diaz’s stunning L.A. mansion— the movie really makes you feel like living in either would be a dream. There’s even a trend on TikTok now of decorating your home like a Nancy Meyers film with warm neutrals, timeless furtniture pieces, and of course lots of open windows, cozy bedding, and blankets.
Maybe 5 or 6 years ago, when I re-watched the film, I found myself really drawn to the scene where Kate Winslet has her older neighbor and some of his friends over for an impromptu Hanukkah celebration. I loved the warmth of it, and the feeling of people from all ages and walks of life sitting together around a dinner table sharing stories. I started to realize that this is what I wanted my holiday tradition to feel like: a warm place to gather with good food and great company.
The scene in particular that sparked this idea for a tradition was when Jack Black and Kate Winslet are bonding over falling in love with the wrong people. To cheer them both up, Kate Winslet declares, ‘Let me go make us some Christmas Fettucine’ and I just loved this idea of a warm and cozy pasta dish on Christmas Eve, shared with someone you care about.
And that’s really where the idea was born, to have a little holiday party of my own, with Christmas fettucine as the main course, lots of wine, and good company. For the first time in years, I am now in a house where I love to host, and we made a fun little night of it with some of my close friends and their partners who had never actually seen the film. The fettucine was a hit, the Christmas lights lit up the space, and we all snuggled in under blankets to watch the movie with bellies full of pasta. It’s a Christmas tradition I hope to carry on for many years, because it brings so much joy and peace during this time of year that can sometimes feel chaotic. It helps me focus on what’s important: sharing a good meal and conversation with ones you love.
The recipe I have is my absolute favorite, and I would give credit but the link to the blog I found it on is no longer active. Here is the recipe for what was called ‘the best damn fettucine on earth’ from a blog I found many years ago, and it really is. I hope you enjoy:
Ingredients:
1lb fettucine noodles
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 a stick of unsalted butter
1 pt of whipping cream (heavy or regular)
4oz cream cheese
6oz of shredded parmesan
2 TBSP dried itlian herbs
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp pepper
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook fettuccine noodles according to package directions. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large sauce pan on medium heat, add garlic and melt butter
Step 3: Pour in whipping cream and bring to a simmer
Step 4: Add 1/2 shredded cheese and all the cream cheese into liquid and whisk consistently until the cheese is fully integrated. You'll know because your whisk won't have any cheese hanging off it
Step 5: Add the other 1/2 of the shredded cheese and whisk consistently until the cheese is, again fully integrated. Turn heat down to low and let it sit for 10 mins to thicken. Stir occasionally. Add garlic salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Combine the pasta and the sauce and serve! Top with an optional sprinkline of shredded parmesan and a little freshly ground black pepper