'I'm having a Stanley Tucci Christmas and you can too.'

Christmas is the time for good food and even better vibes. 

The beautiful thing about the holiday season is that we all celebrate in our own special ways. Are you watching your favourite Christmas movie with a hot choccie? Or assembling and devouring ginger bread houses with your loved ones? Whether you're keeping it lowkey or going all out, Christmas 2024 is yours for the taking.

And this year I, for one, am having a Stanley Tucci Christmas. Or trying to, at least.

That's right — this year in the Hui household, it's going to be all martini cocktails, sexy food reviews, and homey cooking to warm the soul. Christmas is a time for sharing. And no one spreads cosy, food-fuelled joy like Stanley Tucci.

Watch the trailer for Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. Article continues after the video.

What is a Stanley Tucci Christmas?

For context, a few years ago Stanley Tucci somewhat unexpectedly became the internet's boyfriend. While he is, and has always been, an amazing actor — starring in some of the most iconic movies like The Devil Wears Prada and The Hunger Games — it was his personal skillset in the kitchen that got him to heartthrob status.

Tucci has co-authored several cookbooks filled with comforting Italian recipes, often collaborated on with his family, and he regularly shares cooking and food-related reels on his Instagram.

Now, at a glance, it's easy to mistake the Stanley Tucci obsession for purely an interest in his recipes. And while the food is fabulous and his delivery is ever-so sultry… it is so much more than just that.

At the core, I think what we all love about Tucci's content is the feeling of being invited into his home (a very lavish home, at that) and watching someone truly indulge and treat every single ingredient as a luxury. It's delicious. It's heartwarming. And it's who I want to be this year.

Tucci's recipes are the perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication, capturing the essence of great Italian cooking without any fuss. His approach is all about letting the ingredients speak for themselves, focusing on fresh, high-quality produce and timeless techniques that elevate even the most humble dishes. Whether it's a classic pasta or a rustic stew, his recipes are rich with soul and are crafted to bring people together around his own dining table.

Take his family meatball recipe, for example:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stanley Tucci (@stanleytucci)

I mean, delicious. But it's the candid "are we rolling?" at the beginning of the video. It's knowing his wife is filming him in all his Instagram content. The laughter and quiet sarcasm between instructions. How he draws attention to the details of the food, like the golden crust on the meatballs or the aroma in the air. The warm comfort you feel from watching him gush about the food in front of him. Like a hug. It's the total gratefulness oozing out of the video.

It's elevated yet homey. Refined yet familiar.

And given the meatballs are a Stanley Tucci-certified holiday dish, I will most certainly be cracking out the recipe this year.

Even when Tucci is recreating someone else's recipe, like this video where he makes Pasta E Ceci from Julius Roberts' cookbook, it's simply delectable.

My favourite part is the way he talks about how good his cooking smells when it's all coming together. If only we could all appreciate the process as much. I aim to be this fabulous at all times!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stanley Tucci (@stanleytucci)

I'd even watch this man picking vegetables for hours on end. He's foraging and he's free.

The goal is to become such a food expert and so spontaneous with my cooking, that I can come across what appear to be 'dandelion leaves' and take them home to toss in a salad. Iconic.

Also, I've never really used red currants in cooking, but this feels like the right year to give it a go:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stanley Tucci (@stanleytucci)

Finally, we have to talk about his cocktails.

The delicious "oh yeah," followed by the exasperated "why haven't I done that before?" is what does it for me.

I may not be a big drinker, but if I'm treating myself to a little holiday spirit, it's going to be a Stanley Tucci recipe. Namely, his martinis for festive gatherings.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stanley Tucci (@stanleytucci)

Tucci's recipes are a reminder that good food is such a luxury and something to be savoured. His attitude reminds us all to be grateful for the little things and be thankful for the meals that bring us together. But most importantly, to not take it all so seriously.

Cooking can be little sexy, a little silly, and a lot of fun. And I think we could all use a little more of that in our lives. Particularly during the holiday season.

Feature image: Instagram/stanleytucci.