This movie got me all sorts of confused.

When it was first announced, it was titled, “A Christmas Tree Grows in Brooklyn”…which gave me a whole different expectation of setting and vibe….well, it’s “set” in Brooklyn….just Brooklyn, COLORADO. Which is no big deal….except for the main plot of the whole movie doesn’t make a lick of sense.

First things first: Rochelle Aytes. This woman is gorgeous…..like, she doesn’t even seem real. I would almost be mad about it, but she brought so much joy and fun to Erin that I couldn’t.

I have so many feelings about this story….and I’m not sure if I’m crazy or what, but how in the world can you NOT find another large Christmas tree……IN COLORADO….aside from someone’s front yard? And, in what world can a mayor simply commandeer said tree???? IS IT the same world that a mayor’s assistant can invoke mayoral power to cut this citizen’s tree down behind everyone’s back and not get fired?

Let’s discuss

So here’s how I’m going to break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️ Erin carried this one, y’all. Kevin, my friend, have you seen this woman? Not only is she STUNNING. She’s smart, funny, playful….she is AMAZING with your daughter! She saved your freaking tree…and you almost left her high and dry. Ugh. I so wanted to be into the 1st _aggressive kiss….but it just didn’t translate for me
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️Please re-read the TREE rant above. So. many. questions. I did love the firefighter story, the adoption story, AND Erin finding her true passion in teaching…but that TREE. I can’t with it.
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️Little Claire really did get her Christmas EXCITEMENT level up to 10! Her grandparents were UBER Sweet. Neil and their almost date was pretty funny. Erin’s parents were fine. (obviously I wasn’t that into this one)

FEELS ❤️❤️ I will say…the scene at the fire house when Kevin reaches over Erin….I knew what was coming but it still got my heart pumping a little quicker….and Also, just Erin’s Christmas Excitement throughout this whole movie made me happy….

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️Single, adoptive dad. Adorably Sweet! This whole tree debacle. Was this a satire? I’m confused.

10/25 I will not be re-watching. I’m obviously still struggling with this tree.

I’m still flush with excitement from this whole movie experience.

I’m not sure why you come here to read my thoughts on life, sewing, and Hallmark movies….but you’re here to read them anyway.

So, I must tell you: my love runs DEEP for Alison Sweeney. I have grown up right along side her since she first appeared on my television screen in Days of Our Lives. I have been a Samantha Brady fan since I was way too young to be watching daytime soap operas (ahhhh the early 90’s).

_{Side note: it is NOT a coincidence that my first born daughter is named Samantha.}

All that considered, I strapped in to watch….trying to be as objective as possible….and within the first 10 minutes I was glued to the screen. I need MORE Bright and MORE Merry! I want these two to make a REAL show. I will watch it everyday. I promise.

SO SO SO MUCH TO LOVE! Tell me you didn’t get Sami vibes from that last scene. 😉

So here’s how I’m going to break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Brian & Mel……Bright & Merry (i mean, how cute are these names?) First of all, Brian just starts off being a pill! Which I was totally in to….only because…you could tell he was jut doing it to bait her! I loved it so much it made me giggle! The tree decorating scene when she just watched him and his reaction. The tears. COME ON! No cue cards? “I’ve got my notes”….”And I’ve got her.” I just can’t with these two.
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This was so neat! I loved that they had the show be such a big part of it! They had lots of really different camera angles, shots, and perspectives. He wasn’t really a “Grinch”, and it was very heart warming when he opened up to her about his past. Aside from the producer being really cringe-y by taping them LIVE when they weren’t looking, I loved it all!
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Man, they didn’t really need too much of a supporting cast with these two, if you ask me! However, it was super interesting how the producer was in tune with everything between them before they were. The Mistletoe Inn Keepers….if that ain’t Santa & Mrs Claus. 😉 (actually he does play Santa in a lot of Hallmark movies) The waitress/chef wannabe was….well, she was in this movie too. 🙂

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Oh my goodness. ALL OF THE FEELS. Nostalgia. Romance. Laughter. I mentioned the tree decorating above. On the flip side of that emotion: Christmas Eve EVE debacle. My heart was in.my.throat. for him. That hurt. Everything came crashing to the best part….the part where all Hallmarkies everywhere are waiting to hear all the love stuff……Brian pours his heart out…..and Mel…..Mel goes Sami Brady on him, and IT. WAS. PERFECTION!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I have to believe that Alison Sweeney had a lot to do with that final scene. It’s very her. She plays feisty so well, and I am here for it. Also I have to give props to Marc as well, I LOVED his Brian. When he breaks up Mel’s date….I was super surprised that she busted him…and he just laughs. I wonder if that is all ad-libbed?

24/25 I couldn’t WAIT for this one to be done so I could watch it again! Will Watch over and over again!

P.S. so, I cannot handle this “Three-Legged-Wreath-Race” concept. I think they definitely won by falling down immediately…….the rest of those JOLLY FOOLS had 2 MILES TO GO!!!!! Are you kidding me?!??!!

Hallmark loves…..I have a confession to make.

This is the first “Godwink” movie I’ve seen. I’m not sure why I passed over the 2 other ones in years past….but I just never got around to watching them.

So, if you’re like me and don’t know the concept….these movies are based upon real life love stories where these set of “Godwinks” brought them together. Well, that alone seals the deal for me when watching….because if you were to tell me this was a written story, all these “Godwink” circumstances would be a little too far fetched for me. (and that is saying something)

Brooke D’Orsay is always fun to watch…..and I’m not typically a Sam Page fan, but she brought enough out in him that I enjoyed watching them together.

As a child of divorce, though, I always think the most unbelievable parts of these Hallmark stories is the divorced parents being so kind, loving, and friendly with each other. 😉

So here’s how I’m going to break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Pat & Margie….now, if I didn’t know these love birds were based off a real-life couple, I would have had to chat about the name choice….but different times, folks! That almost kiss….ugh, girl. I get it, you have a boyfriend…but you know that old man don’t make your toes curl. (Someone had to say it)
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️So here’s the deal: If 1/2 of these Godwinks are true…..this is a love story for the ages! The jewelry….I mean, if they could get Blake Shelton to write up a new song, “Christmas makes my Jewels Fall Off.” They could sell the Soundtrack (of course they’d have to splice in some of those Godwink Bells) Anywho, not a real story…it’d be an eye-roller for sure.
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️Mama (Grandma) was so sweet. Ex-wife was waaaay to sweet. Kiddos were cute. I can’t imagine moving to a cold weather climate in winter after being in Hawaii my whole life. Big changes for those little guys!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ The whole jewelry concept was just adorable to me. I did really feel like they were meant to be this whole movie and they both knew it. I LOVED that she got this major promotion and she couldn’t wait to go tell Pat. It was so sweet how excited she was! My biggest feel had to be: every time she talked about how Pat’s family became her family and showed her real love and traditions, it just wrenched my heart. I watched friends go through this in high school….and it was always so beautiful to see other mama’s mothering their children’s friends.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️ ❤️Single dad raising kiddos the majority of the time was a bit different. The whole concept of the “Godwinks” is suppose to be surprising, but they were all pretty predictable

16/25 It was super sweet. Pat and Margie have an amazing love story….but not a re-watcher for me.

There is a reason that Jill Wagner is a Hallmark FAVE…..

In a movie that really didn’t have a very original storyline….she kept me completely entertained and engaged! But it wasn’t just her…Lucas Bryant and Cassidy Nugent were just as fun! The movie poster pic for this one is so very fitting!

I’m not a “PUN” lover….but the running joke was actually really fun. Sometimes Hallmark uses the predictability and cheesy-ness to it’s advantage, this is one of those times. I loved that they gave this a real “Movies & Mysteries” flair with the mystery of who Angel was too!

Let’s dig into it!

So here’s how I’m going to break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Matthew & Rebecca. ahhhh…..this is what Hallmark movies are made for! Remember when I said “Duke” needed his own movie…this was what I was hoping for! Lucas Bryant & Jill Wagner were just the sweetest! Their almost kiss really tricked me, I was sitting there just as stunned as Matthew was when it didn’t happen! All their one-liners and jabs at each other were just too adorable. I LOVED it a LATTE!
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️ Meh. After so many over-the-top, crazy, different storylines so far this year…this one seemed to lack a little orginality. I couldn’t believe the “great” ideas for the Angel Tree wish granting….a pretty easy way to incorporate a lot of Hallmark staples.
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ The daughter, Cassie, has obviously got some acting notches in her belt. She was adorable, but also not the run of the mill Hallmark kid. Owen surprised me as well when he started talking. The Squad all around was pretty sweet too.

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ As I said, Matthew & Rebecca’s love story really did get me in the feels….his loved declaration and the big reveal of what he kept all these years.. Melt my little heart! I wish I could have gotten more feels from the surprise Rebecca made happen too, but it just didn’t land for me.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️ Alright. Nothing surprised me in this movie. There are some moments where I am certain I could have made a difference in the writer’s room. Picture this: End scene in front of the Angel Tree: EVERYTHING the same….EXCEPT: When Matthew pulls out that piece of paper….he says, “You don’t get it….my wish has Always been you….” and you cut to the paper….where we learn he never wished for his restaurant to be saved all those years ago….but for her to stay in Angel Falls too! ……………….swoon……. just sayin’

17/25 I might watch this one again. Just to see Jill & Lucas banter back and forth….

This movie has something for everyone…..

Really, they tried to fit a storyline for everyone they could possibly think of into this movie. There was so much going on….and it was hard to keep up.

Interestingly to me, I found myself really relating with a couple I wasn’t expecting to……and it’s proabbly not the one you may think it would be.

This whole movie, my heart just ached for this mother.

I know my children are still young, but I already have heartache for the day that they will not be filling our home with noise & joy and LAUNDRY (well, some things I will NOT miss) I cannot even imagine what it will be like to be doing all the things for all the people…and then one day, they all move out…..and one day I can retire…..and what will my hubby & I do then? Ugh. Seems like a lifetime away! This was so hard to watch. 😦

On the other hand, I do have to say, the horrible acting of the TV show and commercials did have me rolling!

So here’s how I’m going to break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️ First of all….who were the leads? The Mom & Dad? (Bill & Phylis)….Mike & Andi? Brandon & Jake? I bet it depends on who you ask. Romantically, I was drawn to Mike & Andi…they were cute. I loved how she tried to keep him humble. Bill & Phylis, I related to as a parent….and Brandon & Jake? Well, I am sure this is what everyone else is going to talk about. If you were looking for that relationship to be featured….I think even you might have been disappointed in this one.
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️ This was a fun concept! Grown children being summoned to their family home to recreate an over-the-top Christmas display one last time…..so much potential! I didn’t even mind all the secrets happening…..busy lives, lots of people….sometimes it’s even hard to share the big stuff with our family members. There was just too much!
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️ With so MANY leads….I gotta reach to “Noah the Nimble” (seriously, that’s the best name that Marvelous Jim could come up with???) and speaking of Marvelous Jim, he might have been my favorite character in this whole film! LOL! Well, him and Andi’s mom, Elena!

FEELS ❤️❤️ Meh. Romantic feels all around was just okay for me. I am giving this one 2 hearts for the mom feels. I loved the whistle blowing and how excited her and dad got making their Christmas House. The grown boys still racing and betting made me smile too….however ridiculous the acting was.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️❤️ The surprise in this one has been blasted all over, so that kind of negated the whole surprise of it.

13/25 Pretty real portrayal of a grown family. I got enough drama in my own to need to watch this one again….

Did you stick around at the end for the commercial? LOL!