Top image: Still, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999) dir. Stanley Kubrick

According to Andy Williams, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. However, it can also be a pretty stressful and tiring time, taken up by benign family chat, minor indigestion and below-standard TV. We get it. So we’ve asked some of our favourite people to curate their own Christmas survival guide, selecting their ideal films, music, food, location and more for a top Chrimbo experience. 

First up? NYC band Sunflower Bean. Having released their sophomore record, Twentytwo, this year to critical acclaim this year, 2018 has been pretty major for this trio. But also pretty exhausting thanks to a solid touring schedule that saw them cross several continents with their new material. So, a Christmas break is well deserved – and we want to give them their ultimate scenario. Apparently, that involves taking to the desert with a pack of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls as Black Sabbath fizzes out the car speakers. Merry Christmas y’all.

Film

Nick Kivlen: “The obvious answer seems like Stanley Kubrick‘s Eyes Wide Shut, but another disturbing holiday tinted movie I would recommend is The Witch by Robert Eggers. It’s a slow-burning horror movie about a Puritan family trapped in isolation during the winter. It’s extremely scary and amazing. Perfect to watch on a cold night near the fire. Almost like a fairy tale.”

Food

Julia Cumming: “I think I would pick Pillsbury Crescent Rolls because they are the ultimate delicious comfort food for the holidays. There’s nothing like sweet warms rolls hanging out, staying warm under a little tea towel, to make you feel good and offer some respite from weird holiday conversation.”

Travel 

Jacob Faber: “Heading to the desert this year to celebrate Christmas and the new year with my girlfriend and her family.  It’s a good way to escape the cold and harshness of NYC in the winter, although I do have a soft spot for NYC in the winter.”

Soundtrack

Nick Kivlen: “I could do Black Sabbath on Christmas, just to be blasphemous. Something about it is festive.”

Drink

Jacob Faber: “I’ve been making a drink with this Trader Joe’s Winter Wassail, it’s like apple juice with a bunch of spices. I add whiskey, lemon juice, and ice. I’m no bartender, but it’s pretty good.”

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