I’m always amazed with how hallmark incorporates Hanukkah into their Christmas movie countdown…

This movie, by far, has been their best one yet!

Somehow, they intertwine Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations/traditions in a way that makes them both so magical and important (very smart in appealing to a larger market….which seems to be the Hallmark way this year)

Christina’s entire journey had me captivated from the start. I was so invested that I cried multiple times in the first 30 minutes…..and normally that would make my walls go up, but the sweet moments kept coming and goofball, Fred Savage, kept reeling me back in!

*******Now, because this is my personal blog…and I get to voice my personal feelings and beliefs…if Hallmark is listening(reading)..here’s food for thought. You’ve gone above and beyond to show that your channel is “all inclusive” this year. I’m not going to spell it out, because anyone who has been a Hallmark fan for any length of time can see the many different directions you’ve taken this year. Do you know what hasn’t been represented? Jesus’ birth: The Christian Christmas story. Sure, you’ve played Silent Night and Joy to the World a few times….but this movie in particular really was heavy on the explanation/celebration/reason of Hanukkah, and we have yet to have a story that features my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the fun stuff of Santa/Rudolph/Frosty/Gingerbread/etc. but they all pale in comparison to the Reason Christmas is so special to me: the Gift of Jesus. *******

And now that I’ve said my piece, I really did love this movie! Mia Kirschner, you, my friend, are lovely!

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️❤️ David & Christina. Fun to watch….I really enjoyed this pairing manily due to the fact that they were more of a “slow moving” coupling then we’ve seen so far this year. Let’s face it, Christina was hit with so much emotionally in her personal life, I really agreed with her assessment that she just wasn’t ready to pursue a romantic relationship. That played out very well….and then not so much. The end of the movie got jumbled up with these two. It was fun and cute….then over before it started…then serious all so fast. Kind of made my head spin…but loved it anyway!
STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Probably the first movie this season I would need more hearts for the storyline rating. From the loss of Christina’s mom, the ancestry.com research(very timely), adoption, finding new family to all the implies and entails throughout. Learning a whole new religion? or was it just tradition/celebration? (still confused on that) Either way, I cried, I laughed, I cried 4 more times….the story was amazing.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ALL THE HEARTS for EVERYBODY! Parents, siblings, kids, and friends…they ALL NAILED IT! Marilu Henner, my heart couldn’t take it. I just wanted to hug her and Mia in every darn scene. These women, AHHH! Loved them. And don’t even get me started on Georgio.

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Was there a moment I wasn’t feeling???? I can’t even remember one. If I wasn’t crying, I was visibly smiling. There were too many scenes to even name! Each reveal: I was a puddle. Even Happy tears during the gift opening toward the end……and can we talk about the scene with Christina on the phone, Ruth over her shoulder…the angel statue over Ruth’s shoulder???? Come on.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️I was shocked at just how much I loved every minute. I don’t want to spoil anything, so go watch. Have you tissues at the ready!

23/25 Heart.Warming. would highly recommend….not a re-watcher for me…but it’s a must see at least once!

oh boy.

I’ve got a lot to unpack with this one….

Danica McKeller is often a Hallmark guarantee as a leading lady….and I have been known to enjoy Dylan Neal in the Cedar Cove & Gourmet Detective series on occassion…..so I really expected to love this one….

I didn’t.

In fact, the writing/acting was so awkward for me that there were moments I had to check to see if I was watching Hallmark and not Lifetime…..

Tripp Wyndym. Can we just pause here and acknowledge the ridiculousness of this name? (I laughed the first 15 minutes of the movie for this alone.)

What bothered me the most though: Tripp. The character is horrible. He’s tasked with firing everyone…but never actually feels bad about it…..Then, he flies across the country pursuing Kayleigh to return to the job, but also romantically pursuing her…..over stepping is the understatement of the century here. Oof!

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️ Tripp & Kayleigh. Shouldn’t happen. This romance is inappropriate in so many ways…..even if I could get past the employer/employee (which I’m sure I could since it’s Hallmark and I’m sure it’s been done before…and I probably loved it) These two weren’t genuine. Tripp could drive a Hallmark Truck COVERED in RED FLAGS with the creep vibes he gave off. TOO MUCH. Did not like. Was it the age difference? Not sure. Just didn’t sit right with me.
STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️ OK, I liked the different ideas Kayleigh wrote about in her column to inspire the town to get into the Christmas spirit. I’m 100% on board with the Christmas Cocktail Party!……aside from that…..none of the rest of it really connected with me

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️ DR.DAN! Now, this is the man for you, Kayleigh! How was I more invested in the “wrong guy” then the supposed “right guy”?!?!? Ultimately, that can’t just be chemistry, right????….that has to be the writer’s job, no? The little bit of Tripp vs. Dan dueling for her affections was cute. Glad Kayleigh has a great best friend in Stephen and an awesome sister….(still think Stephen knows what’s up with Tripp, and, girl should listen to him!)

FEELS ❤️❤️I think I’ve made most of my “feels” clear so far….if we need to point out some others…I could mention all the excitement feels I got about thinking about having that cocktail party….with drinks on Tripp and Dan for the first 1 1/2 hours 🙂 …….on a serious note, Danika hit it out of the park with her reaction to Tripp’s overstep with her novel. She could have been a bit harsher, though, if you ask me. 😉

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️THIS whole movie. I am shocked this made it past the editor’s desk. Tripp should’ve fired them.

9/25 and that’s all She Wrote!

Have your tissues at the ready!

My emotional radar started blaring within the first few scenes of this movie. So many triggers for me.

Needless to say, I cried more than once. I don’t like crying during my Christmas movies in this way. Grief. Having people you love not with you is especially hard during the holidays.

That being said, this story was pretty good.

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️ Sarah & Ben. I felt like this movie didn’t need this attempt at romance. For one, there was just too many other emotional things happening… And two, I didn’t really buy it.
STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️❤️ The story was so sweet. I really loved the unveiling of the truth about how each guest was brought to the inn! Although the sender wasn’t a huge surprise….The reason was so thought-out and believable. Modern Miracle of sorts.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Loved all the different storylines! They really got me invested into each one…..especially Jasper. Who, once I got the “COOL RUNNINGS” tag lines out of my head…Was my favorite to watch. (Even though he made my heart ache the most)

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️ Sarah’s and Jasper’s grief really got to me. The church scene had me unglued.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️ I’ve got to mention the reason behind the invitations again. The explanation was very clever….but other than that, nothing jaw dropping

13/25 A good emotional flick….Not my Christmas happy jam though

What a fun way to go on a scavenger hunt!

And…can I say, Brendan Penny is just so charming! 😉 See what I did there????

I’m a Big fan of charm bracelets! Not only does it throw me back to my childhood, but it incorporates everything that Holly said… Memories they hold, the tradition of gifting them, the joy of receiving them….they are so much more than jewelry!

One of our daughters even has a charm bracelet Advent calendar this year… And I don’t know who’s more excited for her to open each door: me or her!

I had no expectations for this movie… And I think that made me enjoy it even more!…

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️ ❤️❤️ Greg and Holly..I like you! This relationship was so cute… I loved that their meeting & development seem to flow so naturally… The only issues I really had were with their fight? It just didn’t make a lot of sense that there would be so much conflict over whether or not he wrote the story on her. That came out of left field. Also, they spend Christmas together with their parents before they even kissed for the first time? Sttttrrreeeetch……
STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️heart ❤️❤️❤️ Did I tell you I LOVE CHARM BRACELETS! The hunt was so Clever too! I’m glad the clues were so hard to decipher… And even then, they didn’t get them all right! It was so sweet hearing the real story from J ♾Y
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️ Meh. Not too much stood out here for me. I called the baby reveal from the beginning…but still, it was super cute.

FEELS ❤️❤️ ❤️ When Holly helped Greg decorate his house….hearing the charm bracelet story….the vintage clothes and train scene….THE GIFT and that kiss was GOOD, y’all!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️ I was surprised with the charm clues and how realistic they made it as far as figuring their meaning out. Wasn’t super magical…but it was nice.

15/25 I give this one a firm like! I’m not sure I’d watch it again…but I did enjoy it!

Our fourth trip to Evergreen!

I love this little town with all it’s Over the Top Christmas Love!

Unfortunately, this quaint little place may have worn out it’s welcome on me this go round. I’m not certain if it was the odd storylines or the fact that there was a definite lack of Christmas magic in Evergreen this year of 2020.

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️ So, you know when you see a supporting cast couple and think they are adorable….and say “these two need their own storyline and movie….” Well, I didn’t say it for Elliot and Hannah…..ever, so don’t blame me! They were so sweet and cute in all the other Evergreens, but just not leading couple chemistry for me. I will say they stepped it up toward the end of the movie….but no proposal? We’ve seen them together so much and this is a Hallmark movie….it just fell so flat…..
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️ It has to be hard to come up with a Christmas-centric story with the same people from the same town…..4 movies in a row. That being said, THIS IS EVERGREEN!!!! I mean, the town had a larger than life advent calendar hidden for YEARS!!!!! An old hat factory? Really???? Then…We think we are getting a Christmas Wedding….and nothing. Thomas doesn’t even get home for his own wedding….let alone Christmas?!?!?! (thanks COVID….you can’t convince me that he wasn’t quarantined for something….giant EYEROLL for Michelle’s speech) I’m sorry, if a pandemic is going to mess with Christmas in Evergreen, it’s gone too far. Also, then, just write it in! Dumb.
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️ The Cooper Twins!!!! These ladies make my face hurt from smiling so much when they are on the screen! They were the bright and shining light in Evergreen this year. Michelle’s sister was pretty good too, but honestly, I just really loved her hair and couldn’t focus on much else.

FEELS ❤️❤️ Thomas & Michelle’s wedding vows!!! Wow! This movies’ romantic saving grace….wish they would have gotten married for real…..Yay for Ali being preggo!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️ I’m sorry. WHY DIDN’T HANNAH AND ELLIOT get engaged???? Listen, that SNOWBALL SHOULD HAVE OPENED UP TO A RING! And Elliot with all his phone calls and sneaking around of the nephew…..SHOULD HAVE CHANGED UP THE WEDDING from a Thomas/Michelle to a Elliot/Hannah ceremony. Not only an engagement, but a surprise Wedding! (this is what I thought was going to happen the whole time….) Hallmark, call me. We need to talk.

10/25 I would watch Christmas in Evergreen 1, 2, AND 3 again before I re-watched this one. Hard pass.