Friday for Fifteen

It's about time for another Friday for Fifteen, don't you think? For the newer readers on the block, Friday for Fifteen is a semi-regular feature in which I give you a food, a drink, and a bit of entertainment that come together to create a cohesive, pleasant experience for two, and for $15 or less. I'm putting a new spin on it this week, though, because it's a season of multigenerational gathering and cozy evenings with visiting family. So this is the first Family Friday for Fifteen. I'm gonna make this short and sweet, because I'm short on time with last minute Christmas preparations, and maybe you are, too.

If you've been out slogging through the slush, fighting traffic and hordes of shoppers at every turn, burning the midnight oil making candies and cookies, read on, this is for you.

The Drink: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout ($9.50/4 pack - at 10% ABV you only need one!). This Russian imperial stout style beer was made for cold nights! It's thick and chocolatey (without being cloying) goodness in a glass that will warm you from the inside out and give you a glow to rival that of your Christmas tree. For the underagers among you, try this superbly satisfying [literally] hot chocolate.

{source}

The Food: Christmas cookies. Don't have any on hand? Whip up these 3 ingredient shortbread cookies in 20 minutes!

The Entertainment: The Adventures of TinTin (2011). Based on the comics by Belgian artist Herge, this film is packed with adventure and foreign intrigue. Check out a fuller synopsis here. I'm not usually one for computer animation, but this movie is truly entertaining (and appropriate) for viewers of all ages, so go ahead, watch it with your nieces and nephews!

{source}