Buddy's Most Memorable Elf Moments Ranked By Kindheartedness

To say that Walter is uncomfortable with his long-lost son the overgrown elf is an understatement. Walter feels responsible enough for Buddy, however, that he feels compelled to take him home to his wife Emily (Mary Steenburgen) and son Michael, ensuring that Buddy at least has a place to stay. Initially, Emily is thrilled to learn that Walter has another child, and despite the complications, she's happy to meet him. But during their first dinner together it quickly becomes clear that Buddy is fully committed to his identity as a Christmas elf.

When the family sits down at the table to eat together, Buddy starts the meal by regaling Walter, Emily, and Michael with the tale of how he walked all the way to New York from the North Pole, chugging a large bottle of Coca-Cola without a second thought. After that, he asks for the syrup, and when Emily reminds him that they're eating spaghetti, instead of picking up on her hint, he retrieves his own bottle from the inside of his sleeve and liberally unloads it onto the pasta.

Buddy's diet is eyebrow-raising for many reasons, but it turns out meals at the North Pole may have been even more decadent, if, as he memorably explains to Emily, he really did stick to the elves' "four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup." This raises many questions, including how Buddy has managed to avoid becoming obese, diabetic, chronically ill and/or all of the above – and also, why the elves don't include cookies, cake, pie, and maybe some gingerbread in their food groups.