How to host the ultimate festive film night

When it's freezing outside and you’ve finally ticked everything off your Christmas to-do list, there's nothing better than settling down on the sofa with your favourite people and a good film.

Whether you're hosting friends or having a quiet night in with the family, here are four easy ways to keep everyone happy, comfortable and hopefully not fighting over the remote.

Set the scene

First things first, you’ve got to perfect your sofa setup. That means bringing out your softest blankets, piling up the cushions and making sure there's enough room for everyone to stretch out.

If you've got little ones joining you, why not create a cosy den on the floor with duvets, pillows and their favourite cuddly toys? You could even go the extra mile and get the whole family matching Christmas pyjamas.

Once you’re all settled and the snacks are ready, dim the lights for a cinema-style atmosphere and let your Christmas tree provide a warm, twinkly glow for maximum cosiness.

Stock up on snacks

Let's face it, the food is almost as important as the film itself. And Aldi has plenty of high-quality, award-winning treats at its famously good prices, so you can easily put together a generous spread without breaking the bank.

For something everyone can share, the Pays d’Auge Camembert makes a lovely centrepiece for a festive cheeseboard. Soft, creamy and gently rich, it’s delicious served with crusty bread, crackers, chutneys and a few crunchy crudités.

You could even add some mouthwatering The Ultimate Pigs in Blankets to your grazing line-up. Choose from classic pork or a new old English flavour, which boasts a fragrant blend of sage and thyme.

Find the perfect film

Now for the big question: what are you going to watch? From nostalgic Christmas classics, like Home Alone and Elf, to heartwarming romcoms, such as Love Actually and The Holiday, there are so many favourites to choose from. But we all know it can be hard to agree on just one (and sometimes it’s safer not to mention Die Hard).

If you’re watching with kids, you could have a good old-fashioned singalong with The Muppet Christmas Carol or Frozen, while Klaus and That Christmas are more recent animated releases that you can all enjoy.

But if you're still struggling to reach a consensus, you could always get everyone to nominate one and put it to a vote – or turn your evening into a full film marathon so everyone gets their pick.

Keep the drinks flowing

After you’ve finally chosen a film and pressed play, it probably won’t be long until someone gets up for a drink – and a bottle of Aldi’s Classic Irish Cream is great to have on hand for the grown-ups.

Made with fresh dairy cream and triple-distilled Irish whiskey, it tastes equally as good poured over ice as it does splashed into a steaming mug of hot cocoa – topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder, if you’re feeling fancy.

For an alcohol-free alternative, you could simply serve a cup of spiced milk or a gently heated apple juice with cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange slices.