Holiday Comfort & Creativity: A “Make Your Own Pizza” + Home Alone Movie Night
- Katya Grebenyuk
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
The holidays are full of expectation—big events, big travel, big expenses. Yet the moments that stay with us are usually the simplest ones: homemade food, shared laughter, and gathering with a sense of closeness. This year, I hosted a “Make Your Own Pizza” and Home Alone Movie Night to celebrate the launch of my blog, and the experience was refreshingly meaningful. The evening was simple, familiar, and rooted in the traditions many of us grew up with—family kitchens, neighborhood gatherings, and holiday films we know by heart. It also helped build stronger relationships with my teens and their friends.
Setting the Scene
The idea is straightforward: guests craft their own personal pizzas, I baked them while they settled under blankets while Home Alone played. By the time the second pizza scene rolled around, the kids were happily munching on their pizza. After the movie, the kids didn't want to go home, so we moved into a STEM challenge. I wanted to keep the relaxed atmosphere, so I used materials I had on hand, but you can definitely make this a featured activity! --Heads-up, this was a loud and challenging activity as my kids raced against each other to make the most creative "burglar trap"!
Why “Make Your Own Pizza” Works
Cooking together encourages conversation and cooperative activity. Food education research consistently shows that hands-on meal preparation increases engagement and lowers social barriers (Harvard School of Public Health, 2021). Making food together and having those moments to connect to real-live humans (regardless of the mess I have to clean up afterwards) is rewarding in and of itself, giving my youngest, oldest, and everyone in between a chance to tease each other, laugh, and create unforgettable childhood memories.
The Movie
Home Alone reminds us of ingenuity, childhood independence, and the resourcefulness that comes from boredom—something too many households have lost. As we watched, discussion came naturally:
What would you do in Kevin’s place?
What makes a home feel safe?
Why does gossip make it hard for us to accept others?
Christian Perspective:
Though tempting, try not to let the conversation focus on the things that Kevin did wrong, like his hurtful words or lack of respect. When building relationships with your kids, they need to know that you are always looking for the good, even in fictional characters. This not only will keep your evening more positive, but it will unknowingly build trust with your kids as they continue on their trust journey with you.
Here's a start:
1. Repentance
Kevin begins in selfish frustration, but he recognizes his wrongdoing and desires restoration with his family. This mirrors the Christian understanding that conviction precedes healing.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive…” — 1 John 1:9
2. Courage
Kevin stands against danger rather than collapsing under fear. His bravery is not reckless; it is purposeful.
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you.” — Joshua 1:9
3. Stewardship / Responsibility
He takes responsibility for his home, his safety, and the tasks before him—even those that feel larger than his age. This reflects the call to faithfulness with what is entrusted (
Luke 16:10).
4. Resourcefulness (Wisdom in Action)
Kevin uses what is available to him rather than despairing about what he lacks. This demonstrates practical wisdom, not merely intelligence.
“The wise store up knowledge…” — Proverbs 10:14
5. Compassion
Kevin shows compassion toward the elderly neighbor once he looks beyond appearances and fear. He listens. He encourages reconciliation. This aligns with Christ’s call to see the person, not the stereotype (Matthew 7:1–2).
6. Peacemaking
Kevin encourages Old Man Marley to restore his relationship with his son. This is an explicitly biblical act.
“Blessed are the peacemakers…” — Matthew 5:9
7. Initiative
He does not wait for an adult to solve his problems. He acts. Christian maturity is tied to taking responsibility rather than passively waiting (James 2:17).
8. Gratitude
When his family returns, Kevin’s hardened attitude is replaced by recognizably sincere thanks for belonging. Gratitude is core to Christian life (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
We do not need extravagance. We need belonging.
Supplies!
For the Pizza Station
Movie Setup
TV or projector + speakers, the bigger the better!
Blankets, pillows, floor cushions, we threw in an air mattress or two
String lights (optional, but added to the evening magic)
Cleanup Essentials
Trash bags
Wet wipes / towels
Post-Movie STEM Extension Activity
If your home is like mine, the end of a movie does not necessarily mean that everyone is ready to call it a day -especially when their friends are over. However, we try to limit screen time in our home, so I pulled out my handy-dandy movie follow-up challenge!
Theme: Kevin’s Rube Goldberg Security Challenge
Objective: Participants build a chain-reaction device designed to “protect” a small object (representing Kevin’s house). The device must use at least 6 steps, where each action triggers the next, demonstrating cause-and-effect and mechanical transfer of energy.
Educational Alignment: Rube Goldberg activities reinforce problem solving, sequencing, physics (force, motion, gravity), and iterative design—well supported by STEM education research emphasizing hands-on applied engineering (National Research Council, 2012).
Materials
Dominoes
Cardboard ramps
Building blocks
String or yarn
Marbles
Paper cups
Tape (masking or painter’s tape works best)
Small figurine or toy house as the “object to protect”
Instructions
Challenge Prompt: “Build a device that triggers a final action—knocking a barrier in front of the house figure—using at least six sequential steps.”
Give participants 15–20 minutes to plan on paper first. Do not skip planning. Rushing leads to frustration.
Construct the chain. Encourage trial and error. Students should expect failure at least three times before success. This is not negative—it is the correct process.
Test and Reset. Require at least two successful runs before calling the device complete.
Reflection Questions:
Which step was most unreliable, and why?
How did you solve structural weaknesses?
What part of Kevin’s strategies in the film inspired your design?
This is hands-on, memorable, and academically justified. It connects creativity, engineering, and narrative all in one.
Comments