Monthly Archives: November 2021

Guys, I have a REAL TREAT for you all today. A REAL TREAT. I did not write this movie’s review. In fact, my dear friend Jesse asked to write it for me in her spare time. In the spare time she has from RUNNING A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR COMPANY that she started from the ground up. So when she asked to guest star on this little blog of mine, I was just elated. Yes, Jesse McKinney, CEO of Red Aspen, maker of the best mascara and press on nails in the biz, is sharing her thoughts on Open by Christmas. We don’t have a SECOND to waste. Oh and she says some nice things about me but like, how could I delete the words she wrote? So we all just have to deal with it, Okay?

Hello and Merry Christmas to all! My name is Jesse McKinney. I’m a long time follower, first time contributor to @hallmarksthespot.  I have the distinct privilege of reviewing the cinematic marvel that is Open by Christmas, but before I get started I want to give a big shout out to Cally, the owner of this blog. Cally and I go way back to the halls of Skyview High School, and oddly enough, as I watched this movie I thought a lot about her. Open by Christmas has a strong undercurrent of many high school memories, which seemed fitting as Cally (aka my editor!) and I collaborated on this project. Cally, I hope you know how proud I am of you, and I think the high school version of you would be proud of the woman you are today. (BTW, Jesse, the high school versions of us would have just DIED hearing all you’ve accomplished and seeing the woman you are today! And then we would have laughed and laughed upon learning that we both became boy moms.) On that note, enough with the sappiness and on with the review! 

Open by Christmas stars Alison Sweeny, the First Lady of daytime soap television. Sweeny’s character, Nicky, is a talented executive consultant living in NYC. Her career is booming and she’s wickedly smart (she was the valedictorian of her high school class!), but her self confidence wanes when she finds herself home in small-town USA helping her parents downsize and move into a new home. While packing up the house she comes across an old text book. As she pages through the book an anonymous Christmas card / love letter falls out taking her by total surprise. She’s shocked at the realization that someone could have felt this way about her. After all, she was the biggest nerd on the planet back then, and smart girls are weirdos, right? <Insert subtle sarcastic eye roll here.> Without delving too deep into the plotline and ruining the ending for all of you, I’ll simply say that Nicky, with the help of her parents and best friend Simone, embark on a mission to find the high school flame that wrote the card. They narrow down the playing field using an old high school yearbook (they think he was on the basketball team) and set out to casually bump into a few former high school basketball players that are now far past their b-ball prime. Spoiler alert: Nicky doesn’t intentionally find him, but does find self confidence along the journey. She ultimately does find the card’s author, and romance ensues. 

I’ll be blunt- I was expecting Open by Christmas to be filled with extra unrealistic Holiday cheese, and I wasn’t wrong. For example, Simone owns a flower shop called Best Buds Boutique (cheese). Jeremy, Simone’s finance, secretly buys her a multi million dollar house as a surprise Christmas gift, because after all, she wouldn’t want to be a part of the decision making process as it relates to the biggest investment of their lives, right? (cheese). Derrick, Nicki’s parents realtor and Jeremy’s good friend, is a Christmas decoration expert and can tell you the history of specific ornaments from every respective decade from the last 200 years (cheese, cheese, cheese). 

But here’s the thing, among all the cheese were some really sweet, special moments that I think anyone can easily understand because, well, we’ve all been there. When Nicky and Derrick share their most embarrassing high school memories, I could relate. When Simone mourns the fact that her son, Anthony, isn’t a baby anymore and doesnt need her as much, I could relate.  When Nicky states that she is afraid of rejection, I could relate. I thought the film did a great job balancing all the cheese with genuine human connection and relatable emotion. 

I’m pleased to give Open by Christmas four out five gingerbread men. It was relatable on a human level with just the right amount of excess holiday cheer that you expect from the Hallmark brand, but at times the film played into stereotypes creating a contrived experience for the audience. Would I recommend this film to a friend? Absolutely! Go give it a watch- you won’t regret it. Happy Holidays!  

What did you think?

If you haven’t noticed, this week I am posting a little bit out of order. You will get to hear me on a couple podcasts this week so I’m trying to coordinate my posting schedule with all of that. But whew, you guys, at the end of week 3 and the beginning of week 4, I am already WORN OUT. There is too much going on and there are too many movies! A lot of you have told me you’re having a hard time keeping up as well. And you know, it’s just not enough time to do these all “right,” you know? I have so many more jokes and I just don’t have time to get them all down. Anyway, I hope we can all remember to truly ENJOY what for me, genuinely does feel like the most wonderful time of the year! Okay, let’s dive into Christmas Treasure.

Our leading lady, Lou is a reporter at the Pine Grove Register, a local newspaper run by her family. She is currently working on a HOT local story at the Tree Lot. She tells the Tree Lot owner that she’s moving to New York to write her novel. What better place to inspire someone who needs to do nothing but write than New York, where she will be working round the clock just to pay for basic expenses? The hot news story she’s working on is celebrating this lot selling its 50,000^th tree. The winning couple gets $5000 and a free tree. Dang business must be booming. Lou interviews the happy couple.

Meanwhile, our male lead, Kyle arrives at his aunt Marcie’s BEAUTIFULLY decorated  house. This woman made CHOCOLATE? Fruit cake? Is there such a thing? He’s going to help her out at the restaurant while he looks for a new job. I LOVE how this house is decorated.

Lou’s boss, and coincidentally, her father, Eli, shows her a picture of her great grandpa holding the 1921 time capsule. Eli asks if she’s sure she doesn’t want to write the story about it?

Meanwhile Marcie and Kyle waste no time getting to work at the restaurant, ahem TAVERN. It is SO BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED. Jordin and her pals are there celebrating. One friend turns out to be her pregnant sister-in-law, Jerilyn. She tells her friends she’s ready to go out on her own. They politely keep their opinions to themselves. Kyle delivers the food and they all mistake him for just an incompetent waiter. Lou is pretty sassy about not having silverware and her friend asks for salt and pepper. Kyle is OFFENDED. Lou knows the meatloaf doesn’t need anything. Also, meatloaf is a pretty heavy LUNCH.

That night, the mayor announces opening the town time capsule. Lou and her dad open the time capsule together. He announces all the items as he picks them up.

After the ceremony Lou runs into Kyle and makes a snarky comment about him seasoning his coffee or hot chocolate. He tells her he may have asked Marcie about her. Her family basically BUILT this town, in case you didn’t know. Kyle asks Lou if she asked Marcie about him. She says no. HA.

Later, Kyle and Marcie wander around the Christmas market. She asks him to open the restaurant while she finishes up. The famous Pine Grove Tavern of 1921 Time Capsule Fame. He can’t get the door to open. Lou stops by and asks if she can help him. She stands and waits and tells him the door is kind of tricky. He finally allows her to try it. She gets it right away. I’m sure he just loosened it for her. Aunt Marcie arrives by that point. Lou helps herself into the restaurant.

Marcie tells Lou that Kyle was a head chef back in Chicago. Lou brings Marcie the music from her solo. Marcie has someone else in mind for the solo this year. Lou and Kyle talk about the awkwardness of her realizing he’s a chef.

Lou arrives at the newspaper and her brother shows her all the time capsule submissions. And won’t let her eat any cookies.

Meanwhile, Marcie and Kyle work at the restaurant. They taste test something but it’s not great. Marcie suggests that Kyle make one of his recipes.

Kyle stops by a pastry shop and runs into Lou. She encourages him to enter a gingerbread house competition? I think? All I see are a bunch of tables and children quietly decorating. (What is that like, I wonder?) Okay so that is what they’re doing. 5-6 hours later, they’re finally finished. Kyle’s Is OUTSTANDING. Lou’s looks better than mine, at least. Did they really have the same amount of time to decorate? I’m dying a little. Also, hers immediately collapses. That adds up.

Later, Lou’s mom stops by to check on her. She hasn’t done much packing and it’s too overwhelming. Then she stops by the tree lot and attempts to rescue Kyle and his tree. Then Lou realizes that Kyle hasn’t tried some magic local peppermint bark. So, she immediately takes him to get some. He agrees it’s good. I’d like to see for myself. Wherever they sit down, Kyle thinks is a good spot for a restaurant. He wonders if he should take a risk and open his own place. He talks about his past experience working for bad managers. Kyle asks why she wants to go to New York to write her book.

OMG THE CHRISTMAS TREE in that restaurant. I would eat there for every dang meal. Lou tells Kyle that Marcie inspired her to write. Then Kyle says she’s also the reason he’s a chef. Oh boy that got me. Then Kyle says the tree needs more lights. GUYS ITS ALREADY DECORATED. Don’t these idiots know the rules of tree decorating? LIGHTS FIRST.

Later, Lou helps pregnant Jerilyn practice the big solo. She is nervous about taking over Lou’s song. Um yeah, I would be if JORDIN SPARKS was the previous soloist. Lou tells Jerilyn about her grandpa’s journal. Then the girls start singing. Are they just singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas?” That’s the solo? No.

Inexplicably, Lou’s dad does MORE exterior decorating. Lou heads to the garage. In the garage, she finds some letters from her great grandpa. She tells her dad that she’s been reading the journal and he hasn’t mentioned the beacon he put in the capsule. I would call that a lantern but that’s neither here nor there. On her way out of the house, her dad gives her some good dad advice.

The next day, Kyle goes over the menu or a recipe at the restaurant. We get a little montage and Kyle is finished. Marcie voices what we’re all thinking when she asks where the rest of the food is? It is not quite right for the Christmas baking competition.

That night, the time capsule committee argue over what should be included in this year’s capsule. Later, when it is somehow midday, Lou goes to the office to finish packing up her things. She sees the lantern again that we’re all supposed to call a “beacon.” It’s back to night again when Lou stops by the restaurant. Kyle is still there but Marcie left. She asks Kyle to make her a sandwich and he’s like, girl no I’ll make something better. She’s like I would prefer not to wait an hour but okay. Anyway, he settles on lobster. I honestly have no idea how long that takes. Lou loves it so I guess it’s all worth it. Oh this is that little lobster empanada? What is it? So anyway he probably just threw that bad boy in the microwave. Lou thinks it’s too fancy for Marcie’s restaurant and Christmas in general.

Kyle notices the recipe that was included in the 1921 Time Capsule and decides to make that instead. I bet it has a bunch of weird, hard to find ingredients!

Marcie wonders if the recipe is too old fashioned. SAME MARCIE. Kyle thinks they could add a few modern twists. Neither of their attempts are working out. Have we seen that kitchen before in a different movie? Marcie decides to take a walk to clear her head. She stopped to help some kids build a snowman. I’m dying about that. Anyway, Kyle unlocked the secret to making the stew work. BUT HE WON’T TELL MARCIE.

They head to the competition. The competition is STEEP (so I hear). Lou stops by to taste Marcie and Kyle’s food. Lou loves it.

Lou and Kyle sample all the contest items and talk about whether or not they are single or where the best place is to spend Christmas. Lou says she needs to find someone who loves Christmas. Kyle says the girl for him has to have a sense of humor. Then the Mayor tells Marcie that they won the competition! WOW. I am so surprised.

Back at home, Lou works on her novel. She takes a break to read her grandpa’s journal.

The next day? At the Christmas market, Kyle runs into Marcie. They are both doing some Christmas shopping. Then Kyle gets an urgent call. Sounds like a job interview! Lou and Kyle meet at the coffee stand. They plan to meet up later.

OKAY WHY AM I JUST NOTICING THIS STREET. Oh, Lou is helping him shop for Marcie. Lou suggests he get her a broach. I like that Marcie is a classy broach wearing gal. I think they’re making a comeback. Lou sees a locket that she likes for herself. She says she’s always loved lockets. ME TOO. I always wanted one! Then Lou invites Kyle to hang out in the town square that night. He tells her he has an interview tomorrow for a big restaurant in Chicago.

Lou wears the cutest pink coat to meet up with Kyle that night. Oh I love it even more when it’s all tied up. She runs into her friend and tells her she doesn’t think Kyle is coming. Kyle DOES show up and they hang out by one of the fire pits. Lou tells Kyle about the first book she wrote when she was six and how she’s really struggling with this one.

The next day, Lou and her mom spend some quality time baking Christmas cookies. I think Luke wore that apron Lou’s mom is wearing in “Christmas Sail.” Lou’s mom suggests she keep the charm bracelet she always borrows. Lou seems more touched that she should be.

Meanwhile, Kyle interviews for that restaurant. He takes a risk and brings that prize winning carolers stew. Stew is a bold choice for a fancy restaurant interview in my opinion.

Marcie and Kyle arrive at Lou’s family’s party. Kyle tells her about the job interview. Lou thinks she’ll get the job. I’m glad Lou went with the red dress! Lou’s mom tells Kyle they’ve been having this party since Eli’s great grandpa started it? That’s actually pretty wild. Lou offers him a tour of her house. Hope they cleaned up the rest of the house! Lou shows him a sad little fire pit in the backyard. She talks about her frustration of not yet finishing her novel.

Now it’s time for Eli to make a toast. Or wait, no Lou is going to sing for them. When is Jerilyn doing her solo? And why does Jerilyn have to sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and Lou gets to sing “O Holy Night?” For this indoor party? It doesn’t make any sense.

Later, Lou reads more of her grandpa’s journal. She gets to the part where her grandpa says that “everyone he loved was here.” And all of a sudden, she can’t stop writing.

Lou just keeps writing away and narrating what she’s typing. She finally figured out why the beacon was included in the time capsule. Then she calls the restaurant to place a lunch order. She is surprised when Kyle delivers it. Isn’t that why she called? Kyle just straight up asks her on a date! She turns him down so she can pack. She is worried they are going to start something they can’t finish.

Then we get a REAL CLOSE SHOT of the lantern. Lou heads into the newspaper and seems to be missing the company Christmas party. Her brother is wearing a festive hat too.

Kyle talks to the owner of that restaurant and he has lots of ideas! Oh and he got the job

Lou opens her secret Santa gift. They got her a leather journal.

The restaurant has their own Christmas party too. BUT, he tell Marcie he turned down the job. He realized he wants to stay in Pine Grove and work with his aunt. Marcie suggests he be her partner.

Lou takes a somber little stroll down the street. Kyle finds her and they sit in the seats all set up for the big Christmas performance that’s still happening? Oh boy, they are about to kiss and then her phone buzzes. The movie is like minutes from being over so what is happening. Oh! Her sister-in-law, Jerilyn, is having her baby. Her parents are so stoked. Jerilyn is wearing the cutest Christmas jammies. They agree to put the picture of the new baby in the time capsule. He is the first Christmas Eve baby born that day. Then Lou and her parents have to rush to the Time Capsule Event.

So that’s what the chairs were for. Since Jerilyn just had the baby, Lou has to sing. She’s singing “This Christmas.” THAT’S NOT WHAT THEY REHEARSED! Why did they practice “We Wish You a Merry Christmas?” This poor band just sweating to death in their hats and coats. Kyle is in the audience. Who is Lou pointing at? Kyle? Okay now it’s time to load up the time capsule. They show the whole town what all is going into the time capsule. It’s boring. Nobody cares.

WHEN IS THIS MOVIE GOING TO BE OVER. Kyle and Lou walk and talk after the event. Kyle tells Lou he’s staying in Pine Grove. He tells her he’s willing to go visit New York a bunch to make their relationship work. Then Lou says she changed her mind too and she’s not moving. Anyone surprised? And then they KISS. Then Kyle gives her a gift. Is anyone surprised that it’s the locket she noticed the other day? No? Didn’t think so. And then they kiss again! And that’s that.

Guys I liked this movie but I was worn out while I watched it! I don’t know why but I am out of gas this week. I need some straight up Hallmark silliness next weekend to keep me going. What did you think of this one?

Guys, I wanted to start this recap with a little bit of my thoughts about how the movie handled foster care and adoption. I hope you’ll indulge a bit of a detour from my normal nonsense.

At first, I was really annoyed and concerned about how they would deal with foster care. Will and Laurel fostered a newborn for a long time and were understandably devastated that they would not remain in his life. (And that he probably wouldn’t remember them!) First, Laurel was angry that this baby was “taken” from them. She couldn’t imagine opening her heart to another child the same way. Couldn’t imagine going through it all again. But, she ultimately changed her attitude. I really liked that. It is probably an emotional journey many of us can relate to. I know foster parents who have felt that way. The attachment and feelings of loss are real. The anger at the seeming injustice of it all is real too. And so many parents get into foster care with the wrong motivations which causes them to be really frustrated by the goal of reunification. Ahem, myself included. I was really worried that Will and Laurel would get exactly what they thought they wanted-adopting a newborn baby through foster care. I was worried because that would perpetuate all kinds of myths and misconceptions about foster care. And you all know how I feel about people learning lessons!

But I did sympathize with them! I’ve experienced the fear and anxiety that comes with desperately wanting to keep kids I’ve grown attached to without rooting against their parents’ success. It’s really hard. And I’ve felt worn out and hopeless. I’ve felt despair. I’ve felt angry about how the system works, about the unfairness. And I’ve been so blessed to come out on the other side and see God’s hand through the whole thing. Like, what if God had only given me exactly what I wanted right when I wanted it? I would have missed out on so much. Whew. So, if you’d like to hear more about fostering or my experience, please shoot me an email! I’d love to share more with you if you’re curious. But for now, let’s dive into the recap!

The movie begins with our leading lady, Laurel organizing a whole children’s holiday concert.

After rehearsal, she talks to her friend about her NANA being hurt and having a hard time taking care of her. The friend suggests they hire a caregiver. She knows of a great place too! Laurel doesn’t think they could afford it after doing IVF. But, she agrees to look into it.

She shuts the door upstairs and talks to Hannah as she walks in. Why doesn’t she call her grandma?  GUYS She’s saying Nana. I thought it was Hannah. Wow. Okay. Turning captions on. They catch up a little about her day and then they make dinner together. They both seem like they are in a sad, dark place. Laurel’s husband, Will, returns home with a Christmas basket from work. They suggest to NANA that they decorate for Christmas. Nana seems reluctant.

Later Will and Laurel talk NOT VERY QUIETLY about what to do about Nana. It seems clear that Nana can hear. She wonders about quitting the winter program so she has more time to take care of Nana. Will wonders about using some money her grandpa left her? Well DUH.  Laurel really wants to make sure she’s taken care of since Nana and her Grandpa took her in twice.

The next day Laurel calls the caregiving agency. The caregiving agency is COMPLETELY BOOKED until January but they’ll get her on the wait list.

Will tells Laurel he met someone’s baby. She’s like cool but I don’t want to talk about that. It’s been over a year but she’s not ready. OMG I just realized she was calling her “Nana” not Hannah. I’ve corrected up top but I want you all to know how long it took me to realize this. She realizes she forgot to make snickerdoodle cookies for work. BEEN THERE. The doorbell rings. It’s Gloria “Merkel” and she has snickerdoodle cookies. Laurel is confused because they said they were all booked up!

Nana tells everyone she doesn’t need a babysitter. Also, her actual name is Helen. So, I’m really dying at this error of mine. Helen is suspicious but Gloria has recommendations on references on recommendations. It’s ALL GONNA CHECK OUT NANA.

Laurel and Helen have a mini chat about Gloria. Helen reluctantly agrees that she can stay and help out. On the house tour, Laurel fills Gloria in on why they all live together. Why are they shouting? This is Helen’s first holiday without her husband. Gloria asks about a closed room. Laurel just says they keep that door closed and that she will not be taking questions at this time.

Gloria’s snickerdoodles taste like Helen’s. Helen says they’re fine. Laurel takes them to her faculty lunch. HOW FORTUITIOUS.

After the kids head off to work, Gloria suggests she and Helen decorate for Christmas. Helen gets down to brass tacks with Gloria but she cannot be ruffled.  

At work, Will looks up reviews of the caregiving agency. They are VERY POSITIVE. Will calls Helen “Nana” which is very sweet.  

On the school there’s a banner that reads “SCHOOL PAGEANT IN 3 DAYS.” So that’s money well spent.

Laurel’s dad calls and wants to get together with her for dinner the following week. He mentions a bunch of people’s names and I can’t tell if they’re his kids, Laurel’s siblings, or what. Laurel is not very receptive to any of it but says she’ll get back to him.

Back at the house, Gloria hums her namesake song while she cross stitches. Helen stares daggers at her. Meanwhile, at school, the faculty raves about “Laurel’s” snickerdoodles. She’s like, wait they’re not that good, right? I’m not on board with Laurel’s frumpy outfit. The boss announces Laurel’s friend’s pregnancy in front of everyone. Laurel is shocked. The friend very kindly pushes Laurel out in the hall away from everyone and is apologetic about the surprise. She immediately tries to suggest that Laurel try fostering again and says there will be a forever baby for them. Laurel says that ship has sailed but she’s happy for her friend. Oh, Laurel. I am glad you have a nice friend that doesn’t always say the right thing but means well.

Helen calls in a panic because Gloria was “snooping.” Gloria calls from the kitchen “for a spatula!” It’s a whole funny bit.

Will and his pal apparently did some bro shopping for a white elephant gift exchange at work. (Again, Hallmark is OBSESSED THIS YEAR).  Will settles on a neck pillow. Will runs into Nancy, their former social worker for foster care. How does he not remember her? She has been meaning to reach out because they need more foster parents. She wonders if they’d be open to try again? Will asks if Jonathan is okay. Nancy says he and his mom are doing well. Will dramatically says to put them back on the list for newborns. Nancy is like, okay so yeah I’ll just put you in line behind the hundred other families that only want newborns to go along with their false expectations of the goal of foster care.

Later, Laurel googles Gloria. The stories are crazy. She is always in the right place at the right time. INTERESTING. Also are Will and Laurel in a twin bed? The next day, Gloria arrives with a Christmas tree. She mysteriously cleared space in the living room the day before. Gloria and Laurel talk about miracles while they dig out the Christmas decorations. Gloria has all kinds of little wise tidbits.

Gloria and Helen venture out of the house. Helen freaks out when she realizes Gloria’s car is the exact same as her husband’s when they first met. Well, isn’t that a koinky-dink. Helen loves it. It just takes her right back to when she was dating Robert They stroll through an outdoor market. Gloria gets the backstory on Laurel. Laurel’s mom died when she was six and when her dad remarried, she never felt like part of the family. Then Gloria asks about the closed bedroom door. Helen tells her about Jonathan. Laurel and Will were his foster parents for 18 months. They were in the process of adopting him when his mom got herself organized and they were able to be reunified. So, he went back to his mom just before Christmas the year before. And then Laurel’s grandpa died. Also Helen knows SOMETHING IS UP WITH GLORIA. But, they agree to work together on Laurel. This alliance seems to change the course of their friendship going forward.

Good news: the school purchased another banner that announces the Pageant in ONE DAY.

Laurel talks to one of the girls and her mom about how well she’s doing in pageant practice. Then Laurel tells her friend that it’s not been going well with Gloria. But then, Laurel returns home to the ladies baking and singing in the kitchen. The gang all decorates the tree together. Laurel shares a tiny bit with Gloria about coming to live with her grandparents. Gloria and Laurel talk about motherhood. Gloria reminds her that she is and was a mom to Jonathan. Then Gloria talks about her own daughter, Mercy, who died when she was young.

Back in the kitchen Helen and Will talk. He calls her Nana. Is that cute? Will tells Helen that he got back on the foster waiting list. I’m SHOCKED they haven’t called about needing a placement for a newborn baby already. (eyeroll).

Back in the living room, Will asks Laurel to dance. RIGHT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. Helen suggests Laurel and Will have a date night. Also, is that it? Is that all they were decorating that tree? There’s like nothing on it.

Later Will and Laurel walk down by the water. They talk about meeting for the first time. Will says there’s something he wants to talk to her about. Then her dad calls. They talk about her anger about him and “Forgetting about her mom.” Will encourages her to meet up with him and tell him what SHE needs to say. So now the moment has passed regarding Will’s information. I wonder if that’s going to blow up in his face later?

When they get home, the entire exterior is lit up. They apparently did the inside too. So did Helen know that Gloria used magic? Or angel power? Or what?

The house is finally decorated to Hallmark standards. Laurel goes into Jonathan’s room for a moment but then quickly shuts the door. Helen asks if she’s okay. Helen suggests they watch jeopardy. In the kitchen, Will pounds some Christmas cookies alone. Then he and Laurel talk about what a nice time they had at the waterfront. I love her dress. Will feels like they’re coming out of a “dark period.” Will starts to broach the fostering subject and Laurel shuts it down.

Gloria arrives to take Helen ball room dancing.

Will and Laurel chat on the phone about gifts. Laurel tells Will not to spend a lot of money on her. Will browses at a really weird store. Inside, he immediately finds some very expensive earrings. It’s the same girl at the counter that answered the caregiving phone! And her name is MERCY. So, what’s up with that. Mercy thought she saw him with her daughter the other day? He’s like, I don’t have a daughter. Then Mercy mutters, “you will!” And NOBODY TEARS UP ABOUT THAT.  

Helen runs into her pals at the ballroom dancing center and Gloria knows all their names. Art seems to have eyes for Helen. Helen and Art dance. He lost his wife too. This is so cute I can’t bear it. They talk about getting over the loss of their spouses.

Laurel has dinner with her dad. No Will? That’s weird, right? Laurel is like, why are you here? He says he didn’t have a client and he just wanted to see her. He apologizes for not being present for her after her mom died. She tells him how she feels now and how she felt back then. He hands her a gift. It’s an angel tree topper. It must have been her mom’s! Making those tree toppers was her favorite memory with her mom. Her dad said he just felt like he needed to get it to her and to apologize. He asks how he can make it up to her now. NOBODY is tearing up. Whew. All that before they even take a bite.

Later, they catch up with Helen and Gloria. Helen is going to teach Gloria to quilt. Then Helen invites Gloria to their Christmas Eve Mass. In the kitchen, Helen tells Laurel that she thinks Gloria is a real angel. Laurel is like, there, there Nana. Let’s get you to bed. Helen has PUT IN THE INVESTIGATIVE WORK so maybe we should all listen in. But, Laurel is oblivious. Helen says even though Laurel doesn’t believe in angels, they believe in her.

Will wonders what the big deal is that Helen thinks Gloria is an angel? Same. Laurel shuts down more “future” talk with Will. Then Helen and Gloria walk into the kitchen. Helen had a vivid dream about her husband. Gloria says she used to have dreams about her daughter, Mercy. Will is like wait, who? Anyway, they all decide to get those expensive earrings for Laurel for the child pageant. At this point I implore my husband not to spend $1200 on earrings for me.

Helen and Gloria get to quilting with her quilting pals. Helen is using all sentimental pieces of fabric. Her daughter’s blanket, Jonathan’s baby blanket, things from her husband. Helen is like, oh and Gloria I am going to use something to remember you too whenever you go back to “Cleveland” or wherever you’re from.

Will walks into that same weird shop and wants Mercy to get the commission. The floor manager is like, never heard of her. So, WHAT’S THAT ABOUT.

I think we are watching the actual children’s program right now. Yes. This is quite elaborate. We actually used to have pretty elaborate Christmas programs when I was in elementary school but I feel like they don’t do that as much anymore. The kids all get Laurel a big thank you card. Gloria tells Will the child that was meant to be for them will find them.

Later, they have a party in the faculty lounge. Wait, this is the work white elephant party for Will or for Laurel? It seemed like her boss was there. Anyway, Will’s gift is a sign that says “it’s a girl.” Yikes. Is this friend that insensitive?

Will shows Gloria the sign he got and about the sales girl. Laurel overhears their convo. Will tells Gloria about how much joy was in their home with Jonathan. Laurel interrupts and tells them there are carolers down the street and they should join them.

So they all load up and go caroling. Gloria suggests “Joy to the World” for their next song.

The next day, Gloria runs into Laurel at the coffee shop. Gloria invites her to sit with her for a few minutes. She admits she overheard Will and Gloria talking the night before. She feels like she’s failed Will and doesn’t know if she can give him what he wants. Gloria reminds her that she doesn’t have to shoulder the burden of everything that goes wrong. And it’s okay to feel joy again.

Later, Gloria and Helen go dancing again. Gloria tells Helen she’ll have to leave after Christmas since Helen is feeling so much better.

Laurel gets a call from Nancy. UH OH. She said she has a newborn ready to be placed that night. Laurel is like, what? We aren’t fostering right now. So Nancy is confused and obviously so is Laurel. When she gets home, she sees Will waiting on the steps. Laurel tells Will she can’t go through that loss again. Laurel tells him he should find someone that can give him what he wants. Will tells her it isn’t over.

Will packs up and heads out. He assures Helen that he’s not giving up on Laurel. After Will leaves, Laurel just lays around in her room. Helen checks on her.

Will and his friend Neil talk at his house about how this will all blow over. Poor Will, stuck on his friend’s couch at Christmas. He runs into their daughter, Britta. She asks to have a tea party.

Laurel comes down and vents about all the bad things that have happened to her. Gloria says she’s looking at it the wrong way. She reminds her that fostering Jonathan was not necessarily about her “getting” him and having him taken away. Instead, she provided a loving home for eighteen months and now he gets to be with his biological mother. So, she was a gift to him.

Upstairs, Laurel has a moment with a picture of Jonathan in his old room. She says she was so happy she got to be his mom for a little while and NOBODY CRIED THEN AND CERTAINLY NOT NOW AS THEY GO BACK AND EDIT. So then, Laurel goes to Neil’s house. She sees Will in the middle of high tea. Will informs Laurel that he’s on his fifth tea party in 12 hours. She says she’s ready to feel or see the joy again. Maybe both. He tells her that he is okay if it’s only ever just the two of them.

At midnight mass, Laurel talks to the moms of several foster kids. (The same mom she talked to earlier). They tell Laurel and co briefly about their experience and how they’ve adopted some of their foster children. And she tells Laurel it’s been so rewarding. She also tells Laurel they have tons of clothes if they ever decide to foster older children. During the service, Laurel tells Will she has something she wants to run by Will. Oh, and guess who’s singing at the service? (Spoiler, it’s Mercy.) Side note: I don’t get this plot point. Are they all dead? So now Mercy and Gloria are actually together but she died when she was young? Is this in a book I could read?

On Christmas morning, Gloria shares one last gift with Will and Laurel. It’s a beautiful quilt. Then, Will gets a call from Nancy. Poor Nancy is working on Christmas Day. There is a 6 year old girl named Kelly that needs to be placed. So yeah. The phone rings A LOT QUICKER when you’re open to more than just babies.

Flash forward 3 years later to the TALLEST 9-year-old girl I’ve ever seen. And there’s a baby boy in the mix too. Was he a foster baby or did they actually get pregnant and have a baby? They all wear matching jammies. Then Helen comes in with her own festive jammies. And NOBODY CRIES. Not a soul.

And Mrs. Merkel heads to the next house.

Whew you guys. This movie REALLY took me on a journey. If you’ve been reading these for the last couple years, you know the foster care stories really get me. I did not expect to like this one or find it memorable at all. But it got me RIGHT IN THE FEELS. What did you think?

Okay guys, here we are at the end of week THREE and the beginning of the week’s recaps. I knew very little about this movie going in, other than they were going to try and blend gingerbread cookie baking with Mexican Christmas traditions. Boy are we in for a wild ride. Let’s dive in to Gingerbread Miracle, which aired on the Hallmark Channel on November 5.

The movie begins with some baking action shots. Anyone else accidentally roll their gingerbread cookies too thin?

Our leading lady, Maya, runs in the winter without even a headband! She is braver than I! I see these runners, and I want to be them but I don’t know if I’ll ever get there. Her parents have just COVERED their house from head to toe in Christmas décor. Casually making peppermint bark. What time of day is it? Wait how old are we expecting Maya to be? Guys, I think her mom even painted their cabinets for Christmas.

Busy business boy, Alex, snoozes on his couch in his office. THE DREAM honestly. His law firm is decked out to the max with Christmas décor as well. I wonder if this little lawyer is up for “junior partner.” Poor Ale is little disheveled mess. He missed a date working on a project and the partner couldn’t care less. He’s off in Aspen! Can’t be bothered to even read it now.

At the local Mexican bakery in Xavier, Maya learns the lore about someone making a gingerbread cookie for someone and the wish will come true. Is that that? Yes. I think it is Luis, the bakery owner specifically. He has to make the cookie for you specifically and then the wish will come true. My mom tells me later this should have been called Gingerbread Wish because wishing on the gingerbread is what makes the things happen. So “miracle” is the wrong word.” Anyway, Luis has made her a red briefcase cookie. (DON’T FORGET THIS).

Luis wants to talk to her. He thinks the magic is gone for him re gingerbread. He sees his wife everywhere? He wants her to help him sell the bakery. Oh she’s a “freelance contracts attorney.” Oh boy. I am going to struggle with this movie. “Freelance Attorney.” Hahahahahahahaahaha. Anyway, Luis is having an earnest conversation about who will take over the bakery. She promises to help him find a buyer because IT’S ALL THE SAME, RIGHT?

Poor Alex tries to make up for missing his date with Kim with a poinsettia. She slams the door on his face. Fair.

Maya calls her real estate friend about the bakery. I think this person will list the bakery. I mean if a real estate agent would be listing the space…you wouldn’t need to like take over the whole business right? You could turn it in to whatever you want? Maya is trying to talk up the Mexican bakery business but maybe that is to demonstrate that it is a viable space for some type of other food-based business? I wouldn’t know. I’m not a “freelance contracts attorney.”

Outside the bakery, a reporter friend of Maya’s “Brooke” talks to her about writing a good review and the cute veterinarian she likes who is a blonde adult man. So that’s that. Guys, there are A LOT of blonde adult men in this movie. And by A LOT, I mean 2, which is plenty.

Alex in a v-neck sweater and THICK GOLD CHAIN around his neck throws away his sad little birthday dinner. He makes himself something way better. Why didn’t he do that in the first place? He used about .10 of the items he chops up on the actual taco. Then he makes a call but his cell phone makes a dial connection sound that you only hear on land lines from a million years ago.

Maya answers the phone. The bakery belongs to HIS UNCLE. She remembered that it was his birthday too. Alex tells her it was nice to hear her voice. Luis tells Alex that Maya is working for him again? But as an attorney; a “freelance” attorney to be clear you guys. He breaks the news to Alex that he’s selling the bakery.

Maya has the CUTEST DANG SWEATER. She gets an email about a “second interview” at a law firm perhaps? And she seems stoked. But doesn’t even read the email! She sees the subject line and runs off. Then she heads to her parents’ house to get her sister Sydney to go get a tree. Seems like a family activity but whatever. At the tree lot, we learn from Sydney that Maya has an ex-husband and that she is trying to get a more stable job. Well DUH.

So, the girls and their VERY GOOD DOG with one black ear and one white ear go look for a tree. Alex and Luis go looking for a tree too. For a family that is crazy about Christmas, they sure get their trees late. Alex sees Maya. He decides to say hi. And Sydney just drops Dasher’s leash to take a picture. Dasher, who’s name seems fitting, sees a cat and bolts. Maybe you shouldn’t bring a dog to the tree lot if he isn’t well behaved (says a person with a long history of owning poorly behaved dogs). In the chaos, Maya and Alex literally run into each other. They catch up about selling the bakery. She tells Alex that she ONLY DOES CONTRACTS YOU GUYS. She is going to dabble in real estate transactions this one time, but she ONLY DOES CONTRACTS. Freelance. No wonder she is struggling to find clients.

Alex wants to help but Maya doesn’t think it’s enough work for both of them plus her real estate agent. I mean, yeah that’s accurate. But really, I think she just doesn’t want to split the fee! Dasher with the BIG BLUE EYES barks to remind everyone what a VERY GOOD BOY he is and what a very BAD BOY the cat was.

Back at Luis’s, Alex and Luis decorate their tree and talk about whether they should paint one of their walls magenta. Luis tells him they are hosting an event at the bakery and I need to turn on captions so I can see how all these Spanish words are spelled. Luis wants to make sure that Alex is being treated fairly at his law firm. That’s nice.

Maya and her girls have a little gab sesh. Oh wait is this Sydney and Brooke? So Alex was her big time crush in high school but he thought she had a French boyfriend and left for college and never spoke again? She tells a story about writing him a note and leaving it in his jacket before studying abroad in high school. Why not make this a story about college study abroad? Wouldn’t that be more believable? I mean, I know that people DO study abroad in high school, I just don’t know of anyone who did.

Alex catches up with the kid who works at the bakery. He really wants to play hockey in college but competition is steep! He bites into a hockey gingerbread cookie in hopes that his wish will come true. Alex tells him it won’t come true because he made it, not Luis. Alex runs into his old bro ham Ian, the blonde veterinarian. He said he’s very busy today cleaning cat’s teeth. Surely that can’t be the bulk of a vet’s work? I would imagine it’s a lot of snipping if you know what I mean.

Sydney, boy this really is a family affair isn’t it? Her sister takes very artsy pictures to post on the real estate listing. THEY ARE ALL IN BLACK IN WHITE. This bakery is SO COLORFUL AND BEAUTIFUL and they’re turning the pictures black and white. Have you ever seen a black and white photo in a real estate listing? WHY. And then just an artsy photo of Luis’s hands. Like I love it but what has that got to do with the bakery space. How is that going to sell this property?!

Wow we already are in montage territory. Alex shuts down everyone interested in buying the space. All in all, Alex shut down 8 potential buyers. Maya has a REAL AX TO GRIND AGAINST ALEX in general.

Then another blonde adult comes by to check out the bakery. I think this is the famous baker she saw online earlier. Alex is crushing this scene. This blondie was “Blown Away” by the photos. The BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS. Jacque makes the mistake of assuming that French and Mexican bakeries are the same. How dare he. Guys they both call this guy gorgeous and well, her? Anyway, Alex really doesn’t want anyone to buy this.

They invite Jacque to the Christmas Games that weekend. He wants to do a full tour of the place this weekend with his mom. Is that weird? Also, I think he refers to his mom as “mom” to people who are not his siblings.  

Alex vents to Ian about Jacque. Guys, what am I missing? Am I, a blonde female, just biased against blonde males?  Brooke the reporter strolls by and she and Ian awkwardly flirt. Brooke totally keeps her cool when meeting Alex. Very impressive. After she leaves, Alex NOTICES that Ian likes her.

Maya vents to her mom about Alex too. They are stuffing name tags into lanyards for the event. Sounds TEDIUOUS. What does Sydney do besides freeload off her parents and take black and white pictures? Also, why is Hallmark obsessed with the instrumental version of “I Saw Three Ships”? I’m not complaining, just observing.

So, the Christmas Event is “The Games.” How many adults…? Ugh. Is there a single town in THESE UNITED STATES that hosts such an event in real life? That the whole town wants to do? Do grown adults really want to compete in an obstacle course made of gingerbread?

Alex does some stress cooking. Look, now he’s using everything he chops.

Maya wears glasses in the dining area so you know she’s working hard. Alex offers her some carne asada and Maya raves about it. She’s like why didn’t you become a baker or a chef? And he explains why he had to choose a practical route. And my experience is not his at all but obviously the legal field would be a much more sure/stable career I imagine. Maya explains why she got divorced and left her law firm. He offers to help her study for her interview. I hope she is studying something besides contracts.

WOW the parents’ sweaters. They get a box of sailboat cookies and know immediately Alex made them. I wonder why you can only make wishes on Luis’s cookies? Is that just a Luis thing or a Mexican thing? Is there gingerbread in Mexico?

Okay now Luis is explaining it in an interview so everybody just be quiet. He talks about his parents moving to Denver and making their version of gingerbread cookies. She made special, personalized cookies for everyone. And whenever she made the cookies, something magical would happen to whoever got the cookie. WOW. After the interview, Alex gives Brooke and Sydney individual cookies as a thank you. Are they making just one cookie at a time or what is happening with the dough?

Then they run into Blondie Jacque. Jacque thinks Maya and Alex are dating but Maya is like NO WAY and Alex is like whoa that is a strong reaction and Maya is like well yeah, we’re not dating so. Jacque is like, also I’m an adult man and would like to participate in the obstacle course. Do you think too many adults have already signed up to do so as well? Maya is like, no! There aren’t enough completely insane adults in this town so there’s plenty of room for you.

Okay now we finally get to see the obstacle course. So far, I see three small gingerbread houses on a table. Okay I get it. They have to CARRY a gingerbread house on a cookie sheet. This is like youth group all over again. I am fine sitting and watching! They have to climb up and down a bouncy slide holding the house with one hand.  Next they must speed decorate these stupid houses. Is Maya doing this all in jeans? Now more decorating? After the icing has likely already set? I don’t understand. Do they just decorate until the timer goes off? Maya and Alex run into each other after getting spun around so Jacque wins. TWIST.

Then they take Jacque and his mom to see the bakery. In the kitchen, Alex admits he is just sad about selling the bakery. WELL DUH.

Ugh these idiots. They’re going to make a huge mess in this kitchen. Hallmark, PLEASE no more food fights. Luckily Luis stops them. Then they go over the numbers with Jacque and I realize he’s wearing a burnt orange turtleneck. Bless his heart. Jacque’s mom wants to show case Sydney’s basic bee photography in the gallery. Update, Jacque is wearing a MOCKNECK. Why?

Guys how old is Syd? She’s very excited about the photography sale. Maya’s mom has five new events to plan after THE GAMES including the party at the bakery. SO things are going well Dash, WHO REMAINS A VERY GOOD BOY, reminds them not to forget about him during group hugs.

Alex’s boss sends him a note that he hasn’t read his report yet. The one he had to work on all night ON HIS BIRTHDAY to get to him on time.

Syd tells Maya that she wished on her camera cookie and the ball started rolling on her photography business.

Syd and Maya have an awkwardly scripted sister exchange but I don’t listen because I think about how their kitchen is bigger than my house house.

Alex kind of admits that he’s jealous of Maya dating “perfect Jacque.” Again, what am I missing here? In the meantime, Alex makes another solitary cookie for Jacque. Then he just tosses it in the trash and starts again.

Later, Alex stops by or dang, just WALKS IN to Maya’s house. He made “way too much” tortilla soup. Yeah right. Guys this garage apartment is INSANE. Like how big is the garage? He also shares the Giant solitary cookie he made for Jacque.

Now it’s time for Maya’s interview! We don’t get to see it at all. But we do see Maya stopping by Jacque’s bakery. He says his wish out loud like he’s never made a wish before. He calls the taste “interesting.” He takes ONE solitary bite and sets it down like an ANIMAL. He then invites her to have dinner with him. WHAT AM I MISSING.

Maya and Brooke go ice skating wearing the most lovely winter sweaters. Like I NEED THAT RED SWEATER. Maya calls Jacque insanely gorgeous. Guys, again, her?

Then Alex and Ian show up to ice skate. Just two bros, bro-ing out at open skate. Both leads can skate! That’s new. Are they calling the Christmas Eve event the casada? Isn’t that wedding? Maya asks how he got into mergers and acquisitions and his reply is that he’s a basic bee. Maya thinks Luis would be proud if Alex was a baker. I doubt it.

Then the little hockey employee skates over and says so many wrong things in a matter of 30 seconds I had to pause the movie to get it all down. First, scholarship to “Oregon College” not a real place, that’s fine. But also, hockey isn’t super popular in Oregon so I doubt any of the schools are in a position to offer scholarships for any semblance of a hockey program they might have. Then he says they saw film from when he “almost scored that double hat trick.” Which means he almost scored 6 points HIMSELF in a hockey game. Pause this and go check the average score of a hockey game. Even check the score of a high school game. I promise it is not that high. And for this sweet little mouse to have nearly scored 6 points himself IS STRAIGHT UP NONSENSE and I will NOT JUST LET IT GO. Whatever, the gingerbread magic apparently incorporates whatever nonsense it must to make these wishes come true.

Ian and Brooke finally hit it off. Alex admits he’s only made one wish on a gingerbread cookie in his life back when he was a teen.

Then Alex admits to Maya what happened with the letter and his jacket. He didn’t find the letter until WAY TOO LATE. After this special moment, her phone buzzes and she decides to see who called. Hahahahah it’s an offer letter. Sent via email in the middle of the night. They hug and he says he’s proud of her. Oh yuck. They both say they want to kiss each other but then they don’t.

Maya facetimes with her new boss and she realizes she’s been swindled by this law firm. They need her doing CONTRACTS 24/7. And that everyone else quit because they were burnt out. But that’s the life of big law!

Meanwhile, Alex looks at his high school yearbook and re reads Maya’s letter.

Maya talks to her sister and friend about why Alex suddenly decided to make a move now. And how she’s torn about joining the law firm.

At the bakery, Alex does some work ON CHRISTMAS EVE. I missed what he had to do.

The girls get the bakery all set up for the party. While they set up, Maya and her mom have a nice heart to heart. Maya inspired her mom to take the plunge and open her own event planning business.

Little hockey mouse and Alex have a nice time in the kitchen but Alex. I can’t tell if Alex is being a grump or not? Luis and Alex have a nice discussion in the kitchen. Where are his parents though? He mentioned them earlier but it doesn’t seem like they’re around now.

Later, it’s time for caroling. I think they call it something else but I didn’t catch it. They are carrying Mary and Joseph as they go. Also, I feel like nobody carols in real life anymore.

This is a dressy party! Jacque and his mother arrive. As I mentioned earlier, Jacque refers to his mom as if she is everyone’s mom. As in “oh, where should I put Mom’s purse.” I don’t know Jacque. She’s not MY MOM. In the kitchen, Maya sees Alex’s RED BRIEFCASE. Just like the cookie Luis made her! OMG. Anyone remember?

The carolers arrive. They sing a specific Christmas carol and everyone just looks at them creepily. It’s like a whole back and forth exchange. This is cute. Syd shares with her family that she is going to be working at the photography gallery in Denver. Maya says she’s not going to move. But now Syd’s leaving! So that’s sad.

Luis and Alex talk seriously in the kitchen. Luis says he noticed that the wishes are coming true again now that Alex is baking the cookies. So that’s interesting.

Maya heads outside and sees Jacque. He says this is a really special bakery. Then, he tells her he’s just been incentivized by his landlord to keep his bakery where it is. Alex shows up and tells them both that he wants to take over the bakery.

Now it’s time for Alex and Maya to have their moment. She tells him she doesn’t like Jacque (finally) and that she’s not taking the big law job. Alex asks her on a date and they kiss and it starts snowing.

Guys this movie was WILD. Absolutely WILD. I loved the gingerbread baking component. I laughed A LOT as I remembered how Hallmark does basically ZERO research on the careers it gives its leads. And I continue to scratch my head over the enthusiasm of the adults that compete in this obstacle course scenarios. And finally, BLACK AND WHITE REAL ESTATE PHOTOS. So yeah. It was definitely FUN to watch though, which is why I keep coming back for more. What did you think?

Listen to the audio version of this recap here.

You guys we did it. We made it to the end of the second weekend. And the third weekend starts tomorrow. Is the Christmas season flying by for you? As my home remains decorated with pumpkins and fall colors? And yet Christmas is basically next weekend. So, as per usual, we don’t have a moment to waste.

The movie begins in 1990. A blonde little girl (obviously our leading lady, Liz) wears a jacket I swear I had as a small child. Her mother wears a sweater I would wear now. They are on a boat dock and plan to participate in a Christmas parade. A sweet boy named Luke tries to step out of the family picture but they make him join back in. Oh I love that.

Fast forward to present. THIS IS THE MOST DECORATED I’VE EVER SEEN ANY PLACE EVER. Grown up Liz’s assistant asks if she’s changed her plans for Christmas. Grown up Liz explains she’s not going home for Christmas because she and her dad are not close. This poor assistant is dying for the chance to head home but that may not be in the cards.

Meanwhile, Grown up Luke makes bunches and bunches of bouquets and chats with his mom.

Liz continues to walk around the hotel making sure all the decorations are in place. I think she is living there too because her house burned down? She’s waiting on insurance money to start the repairs. Guys we never hear more about what exactly happened to her house that would be so severe to render it uninhabitable. I’m just telling you now to release this.

Back in the hometown, some very helpful “older people” try to set Luke up with their niece while standing in line at the bakery. NO ONE IN THIS TOWN TAKES A MOMENT’S REST WHEN IT COMES TO SINGLE PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN AGE. NO ONE. Later, he plays chess with Locke from Lost. Locke, I mean, Dennis wins. Guys, when I tell you there are YEARS of my life LOST to that show. And I’ll NEVER get them back. And Locke is partially responsible. But today he is Dennis and I must forgive him and move on. Luke’s lunch break is over and he rushes off and asks Dennis to help his mom with something.

Back at the hotel, Liz calls her daughter banana. I am not okay with that. She’s got the cutest little double braid situation that I was never able to pull off. Not on my best day. Hannah, this little braided youth, approves of the hotel decorations. Also, do any parents actually try and promise their kids that the present Christmas will be the BEST ONE EVER? Keep expectations low, I always say.

Back at home, Dennis stops by the Christmas market as promised. As he zones out, fixated on a small child wandering under half-hearted attempt at caution tape, the tree behind said caution tape starts to fall. Dennis races into action and saves this unattended child from getting knocked over by a Christmas tree!

Liz shows her daughter more of the magic of the hotel Christmas decorations. She has a little station set up memorializing the special Christmas boat parade in her hometown. She tells Hannah that her dad sold their boat when her mom died. Then Liz gets a call about her dad. He must have hurt himself in that rescue.

Wow, even the taxi boat has garland on it. Hannah is STOKED to be Liz’s hometown. What does she have against Christmas in a hotel? Maybe they’ll have homemade oatmeal in a crockpot.

Grown up Luke runs into the girls on the dock. Liz tells him he looks “healthy” which takes him off guard. Frankly, such a comment would take me off guard as well. Hannah asks if she also looks healthy. Only a child would WANT such a compliment, honestly. He is there to pick them up. Luke is surprised to hear that Liz hasn’t spoken to her dad about this incident at all. So like, she gets a phone call and just boats right over? No calling her dad? That is odd, isn’t it?

Then, Luke points out that the Christmas parade now offers a cash prize. So people were just doing this out of the goodness of their hearts before? Luke also reveals that her boat actually was not sold. She must go see for herself. It’s in really bad shape. And we are all perplexed why her dad said he sold it.

They show up on Dennis’s doorstep and it’s slightly awkward. I mean obviously because she was not expected. Casual Hallmark plug when Liz inspects the Christmas cards on the mantle.

Liz tells “banana” to explore the house while she chats with her dad. I really hate that she calls her that. Dennis says he’s fine, not injured and that everyone is overreacting. Then Joyce, who is DEFINITELY NOT Luke’s mom shows up. Hannah says she smells like cookies. She is very bubbly and came with cookies. If there is an explanation as to where Joyce came from and how she became Dennis’s “special friend” I missed it. I also made up that special friend business because one can only just assume. Even at the END of the movie we get no closure on this point.

At the floral shop, Luke’s friend (who’s name I NEVER CATCH) continues to try and set him up for the “Winter Ball.” Liz and Hannah stroll past and the boys have a little tween goss sesh. Luke catches up to Liz. YOU GUYS THIS STREET. Like I have NEVER seen a street that looks STRAIGHT OUT OF THE NORTH POLE.

Liz vents a little about how big of a grouch her dad is. Then they see a posting for her dad’s house on a real estate office window. WHAT NOW.

Liz confronts her dad about the house and he says the bank is selling it. But yeah, he just hadn’t gotten around to telling her. Boy, Dennis is in a real STATE isn’t he? It’s almost like he was trapped on a bizarre island for 5-6 years in limbo between life and death.

Later, Hannah colors quietly while Dennis reads. (Is that what it’s like to have a girl child? They just…sit? Quietly? I just need a moment.) The old grouch suggests they take a break and takes her to their formal living room. Dennis tells Hannah about her grandma and his job as a geography teacher. Then he offers to teach her to play chess.

Joyce stops by with a poinsettia. Liz tells her that her dad has until the end of the month to pay what he owes on the house, which spoiler alert, must be around $25,000. And gang? I NEVER hear why he hasn’t been paying. Never. Like he’s what, 2 years from paying that house off if that’s all that’s left? And he stopped paying 6 months ago? Couldn’t we just set the ol boy up on auto pay?

They invite Dennis to the Christmas market that night but he doesn’t want to go. They head over without him. Again you guys, the CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Luke wears a lovely Christmas apron. Okay Joyce isn’t Luke’s mom. That makes more sense. Luke takes Liz and Hannah to the smore stand. Liz fills Luke in on the house situation. Then Luke reveals that he he plays chess with Dennis every week.

Liz runs into pregnant Julie and husband. Joyce corrals the lot of them for the tree lighting.

Before the tree lighting, the mayor announces the monetary prize for the parade. She’s like, okay would anyone else like to enter? Anyone in this giant crowd? She then asks the crowd to all close their eyes and bow their heads and to raise their hand if they want to join. “I see that hand.” She says a few times. GUYS IT’S NOT THAT FAR OFF.

Actually she essentially tells them all to just yell it out if you want in. That’s how we do it here. At the very last moment, Liz decides to enter.

Hannah fills Dennis the grouch in when they get home and shows him the wreath they got for him. He’s like cool but I hate wreaths. I love Liz’s red sweater. Hannah heads upstairs and Liz scolds him for “taking Christmas away.” Dennis is like, well you stopped coming for Christmas. And Liz is like, well duh you wouldn’t even decorate. Hello, have you seen this town at Christmas? This is a travesty. And he’s like nobody stopped you from decorating. So they get no where. Then she tells him she signed up for the parade. Dennis says No. He is pretty upset about it.

Luke lives on a houseboat I think? He is awoken to Liz and Hannah cleaning off the old boat parked right next to his. He likes to sleep until 8 AM which is way too late for a man in his what…thirties? forties?

Luke is like, so have you considered how much work it will be to clean this boat up and also the parade is in a week? Then Liz lowers the stakes to basically, zero. She says if they don’t win the parade money, she will just use the insurance money to buy the house back. So again, NOTHING MATTERS at this point.

Liz shows Luke a cartoon drawing of a sailboat, the kind a hipster might tattoo on his arm, and he finds a way to provide legitimate constructive criticism about her design plans. Again, it is essentially a child’s drawing of a sailboat. Despite all the nonsense and the lack of stakes, Luke agrees to help them.

Back at home, Hannah makes a sad little gingerbread house ALONE. Liz makes a small serving of mac and cheese for dinner, seemingly for just herself. Dennis is so offended he decides to make a nice dinner the following day.

The next day, Luke’s pal sneaks up on him and tells him he knows he got a job offer. Guys this never comes up again. Also, his wife Julie knows EVERYTHING. He asks how Liz and Luke drifted apart. Oh, and then there is mention of an ex-husband right in front of the youth selling roasted pecans. Luke’s friend reminds him not to squander opportunities. Then they literally run into the devil of whom they are speaking-Liz. Luke’s friend encourages Luke, his boss, to take the day off to help Liz.

Dennis runs into Joyce at a bakery. He is mad at her for telling Liz about his injury or the house or whatever. She COULD NOT CARE LESS and I love it. She promises to bring a cake by on her way home from work and he invites her to stay. OH, DOES HE? IS SHE HIS SPECIAL FRIEND OR NOT.

On the boat, Luke and Liz reminisce after finding an old photo album. They take a bunch of pictures quickly to finish up a roll of old film. Remember those days? Liz invites him to dinner that night.

When they get home, I see garland on the stairs and the wreath Hannah bought on the door. That old grinch’s ice heart is melting. I have a feeling that granddaughters have special magic for that sort of thing. My own grouchy old grandpa once lovingly declared that my son was like wart…he just grows on you. So, that is the boy version of that sentiment.

At dinner, Dennis tells Hannah how wild Liz and Luke were as children, running around on the docks. And he tells a cute story about sneaking onto someone else’s boat to meet Santa. Oh, casual Hallmark brand wine on the counter. I forget, who made this movie?

They all eat cake while watching TV. Wait, just Hannah eats cake while watching TV. Liz and Luke clean up. Liz asks Luke why he lives on a boat. Luke says he likes living on a boat more than a house. That seems crazy. Do you have electricity? Then Liz apologizes for not being around more after his dad died. Luke admits he got a little weird around Liz after that because of…Kevin, who apparently turned into a deadbeat dad?

The crew does some decorating while Joyce knits. Joyce brings up the “Winter Ball.” Hannah is quite stoked about it. And honestly, the only thing I can think of is Cinderella when I hear such a term, so child Cally is stoked at the idea as well. Hannah asks if Luke will take them and HE SHUTS THAT TINY DOUBLE BRAIDED GIRL DOWN. Way harsh, Luke. Liz pulls out a homemade reindeer ornament from 3^rd grade. Pretty sure I have one of those too!

Meanwhile, Dennis looks at pictures on an old projector. Liz and Dennis have a little bit of a heart to heart about her mom dying and grief, generally.

Later, Liz flips through the pictures on the projector herself. Luke stares at her like a creep. But also, if he’s still there, it’s kind of rude that she’s just in the den alone looking at pictures.

The next morning, the girls put in some serious elbow grease on the boat. Liz is wearing her mom’s old sweater. She can’t twist the main sail or whatever? Luke arrives and does one tiny thing and fixes it. She keeps hoisting the main sail only to discover that it’s all ripped and dirty.

Luke and Liz chat about the…decorations? Of the boat? Liz thinks they’re too simple. I don’t actually know what they’re talking about. Then she laughs too hard at his pun. Hallmark LOVES PUNS way too much.

Alright now we have a boat decoration planning and package accepting montage. Joyce stops by with cookies OF COURSE. Bless you, Joyce.

Luke makes a super-secret call wearing a throw blanket around his neck. Liz wonders if he and her dad actually play chess or if they just gossip the whole time. I think it’s both. He asks her about her job and I actually don’t know what she does. She tells him she hasn’t wanted to date since she got divorced. They share a LOOK. Or maybe she is staring at his basic bee blanket scarf. Hannah gets seasick or scurvy from eating too many cookies. Naturally, the cure is hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles. Out the window of the coffee shop, Hannah sees some elves run past. Hannah runs out to catch them. They run all the way to the Christmas Village and find the elves. There is some kind of child participation activity happening. Liz runs into her DAD at the village. Well this is a cute idea. The elves give the kids all a list of items needed at the food pantry. Dennis offers to take Hannah to find all the items on the list.

Later Liz and Luke do more boat decorating. Luke claims he remembers everything about Liz. She quizzes him. He creepily remembers EVERYTHING about her from high school. Is that weird? Or sweet? I barely know any of the answers to these questions about myself in high school. Favorite food in high school? I don’t know, EVERYTHING? I ate EVERYTHING. Then Liz admits she had a crush on him in high school. Some boat thing swings and they have to duck and then have a MOMENT. Luke insists she didn’t have a crush on him in high school. He is about to say he liked her too but her phone rings.

Hannah asks Dennis why they don’t spend Christmas together. And she suggests they all miss her grandma together instead of alone, which is very good advice.

At the boat, Liz tells her dad that her insurance company called and she isn’t going to get the insurance checks in time. So Dennis offers to help finish decorating since they are running out of time. So what do they do? They go get a Christmas tree for the inside of the house.  

Luke’s friend wonders if they’re all going to the Ball that night. So are they going OR NOT? Luke is like, so I’ll see you tomorrow. After a moment, Liz runs after him and he seems like he’s changed his tune on the Ball. Luke thinks they should all go. Oh good.

Liz heads back in and it appears to be the middle of the night at this point and Joyce and Hannah are decorating the tree. Dennis suggests that he and Hannah put the angel on top together. So that’s sweet. Perhaps that ice heart has melted completely. They all have a moment looking at the lit tree.

Okay FOR REAL WHAT TIME IS IT. The girls are all ready for the ball. I LOVE Liz’s royal blue dress. Dennis is going too! Oh yay. This is going to be fun for them (and me as I live vicariously through them.)

The Ball is at the Christmas Village. Liz suggests that Luke looks healthy again. They stand around awkwardly for a moment. Luke invites Liz to get a drink. They are using blue Solo cups at this Ball. That’s amusing to me.

Then Luke invites Liz to dance. I can’t deal with the decorations. This is the Christmas Energy we’ve needed. As they dance, Luke tells her why he never went back to the Ball after high school? Because he got all psyched out about telling Liz how he really felt. OMG then they kiss! We haven’t even had the boat parade. RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE TOWN?! OMG.

 He says he wished he could have told her sooner how he felt. Then Liz splashes cold water on the whole thing. She reminds him that she has to go back to Seattle in a few days. He’s like well you should just uproot your life because I obviously can’t leave my little houseboat here in town. So then they decide it’s not meant to be. And then she leaves.

Later, it’s snowing and Dennis and co are all sitting around a bonfire having smores or something. Liz tells them she’s going to head home. Dennis realizes something is UP and follows her. She is home staring at the tree. She asks Dennis what he’s going to do if they lose the parade? He asks what she thinks about selling the boat? Liz thinks her mom loved the boat. But obviously she loved the FAMILY ON THE BOAT LIZ.

Luke and his mom have their own heart to heart. Luke tells her that he told Liz how he felt and how they decided that it won’t work. The mom is like GIRL WHAT? You really said you can’t leave this tiny little town and that stinky old houseboat? YOU ARE A MAN IN YOUR FORTIES. MOVE TO SEATTLE.

So, the next morning, Luke finds Dennis setting up the old chess board. He has SOME PLANS. He tells Dennis that he loves Liz. He’s like duh? “I already know that.” As my son would say.

Alright so now it’s time for the boat parade. Wow, I love this parade. Liz’s boat looks amazing. Even the judges think so! On the boat, Dennis hoists the main sale with a surprise for Liz! A digital slide show of their family playing on the main sail! I love that. Is it the same ratty sail? The old Santa judge even wipes a tear from his eye. Then Luke CREEPS OUT FROM INSIDE THE BOAT. Or has he been there the whole time? He makes his big speech. Then she tells him to stop talking and they KISS RIGHT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE AGAIN.

Well, would you believe they won the parade? The next morning, the whole gang opens presents on the boat. Luke says he might be able to build houses in Seattle. Liz is like, well duh? And Liz plans to come back more often. Which gives Luke the opportunity to say, well duh. Then Dennis takes a big family picture with Joyce included.

So that was a fun movie. Quite a handful of unanswered questions, lots of shameless Hallmark company plugs but overall I did enjoy watching this one. It had the requisite Hallmark silliness and some legitimately OVER THE TOP decorations. Honestly, I don’t think we’ve seen outdoor street decorations of that caliber thus far at Hallmark. TELL ME WHERE ELSE. So yeah, it was a fun watch. Let me know what you thought!

Alright so “The Christmas Promise” is our second Hallmark Movies and Mysteries movie this season. This channel seems intent on tugging at our heart strings this season so we’ll see. Also, this title is so generic and honestly, doesn’t make sense as the title of this movie. And, have we really never had a movie with this title before? I feel like this is the title to a hundred other Hallmark movies. So, just…DO BETTER? Anyway, I have tried my best to to emotionally prepare for this one. And I am not sure I did enough. So, should we dive right in?

Our lead, Nicole, talks to a little girl about the stuffed bear that she is DYING for. She assures a young customer that Santa is real and that she has a regular dialogue with him. I really hope that doesn’t mess that child up later. Nicole and her fiance, Henry own this toy shop together. Isn’t that putting the cart in front of the horse a little bit? She already owns a toy shop but I think she wants to sell her knitting as a side hustle. My kids were shrieking so I missed that part.

Then we meet Henry. They are fiances in the very worst way. Like, “hello future wife!” “Hello future husband!” Ugh. Yuck. Henry is like the best sport in the entire world regarding ugly Christmas sweater wearing. He’s like wait these are actually cute sweaters. And we are like, well no, not really. I mean obviously I would wear it.

They pull up to their new house in their beautiful vintage red truck. They bought a big fixer upper and Henry seems to be doing most of the repairs himself. On their front porch, he pulls some mistletoe out of his jacket pocket and hangs it above the steps. Cute.

That night they have their big ugly sweater party. The competition for worst/best sweater is STEEP. Again, I ask-Hallmark, I need a LIST OF WARDROBE LINKS. I think Susan’s 3D onsesie probably takes the cake. Yes she won. I was actually going to be mad if she didn’t. Later, Susan announces they are out of ice. She and her husband do a weird bit about breaking off icicles off their house to scrape together enough. And then Henry is like, oh I’ll go! And Susan and Tom just LET HIM. A guest in their home. Why didn’t Tom go? They are the hosts after all. So the party is long over and Henry isn’t back. No one is bothered by this except Nicole apparently. Like wouldn’t she have called him a hundred times? Then she gets a phone call. Oh no.

The movie flashes to one year later. Tom, the guy who SHOULD HAVE GOT HIS OWN GD ICE, arrives and offers to help them sell the house. He wants her to finish the renovation before they sell it though. He also has a buyer lined up for the toy store. Tom, I’m not sure you’ve done enough considering this is ALL YOUR FAULT.

Nicole’s toy store is decorated so whimsically beautiful for Christmas. Her…brother? Teddy, is wearing like an old timey woodworkers apron. She feels overwhelmed about the house renovations. Teddy offers to reach out to a construction minded friend to see if he can help. Susan pops in and invites her to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” She declines because she has to organize her stock room. Susan tells her that Gary, the single orthodontist, is coming even! It’s not enough to sway her. She also invites her to this year’s ugly sweater party. I feel that is a bold movie, CONSIDERING. She promises that Tom is in charge of all future ice purchases. Guys, Susan doesn’t play. Christmas is SERIOUS business.

Nicole arrives to her dad’s house…wait she calls him Pops and mentions her parents. Don’t tell me Patrick Duffy is her grandpa? He eats a lot of junk and she tries to get him to eat healthier. He reminisces about all the sports ball games they went to last year and tells Nicole that he really misses Henry. Okay we really are saying that Patrick Duffy is her grandpa? She asks how he got over her grandma dying. And he says, well Nicole, a 50 year marriage is a lot different than just being engaged to someone. Then he tells her he wrote letters to her grandma after she died. Nicole asks to take some to read. Pops is like, well Nicole, that’s an invasion of my privacy so no. She takes them anyway.

Nicole calls one of her pals, Alan, from last year’s Christmas party. Apparently her BEST friend. She heads over to his house. They chat a little about Henry’s death. In the meantime, I’ve gone through the trouble of looking up both Patrick and Torrey’s ages and guess what? Him playing her grandpa IS A STRETCH. A REAL STRETCH. He is 72 and she is 37. So you tell me.

Nicole and Alan crack open one of her grandpa’s letters. Alan is like, I don’t really want to read the private letter your very young grandpa wrote to your dead grandma. They both agree it’s a beautiful letter. Alan says what we’re all thinking at this point-we need cookies!

Nicole ignores a text from her sister about sending over a casserole and sends Henry’s old number a text message. SOMEONE PICKS UP the phone.

A customer tells Nicole she hopes she’s not selling the store but Nicole is like no I definitely am. She also seems to suggest that Nicole should sell some of her knit wares at this woman’s boutique. We aren’t doing this as a storyline are we? That Nicole could make enough money to support herself by selling handmade knit items?

Later, Nicole stares at her house and observes her future next door neighbor directing some poor man in decorating her lawn and putting up lights. Oh her scraggly little dog has lights attached to his little sweater and runs off.

Another guy shows up and introduces himself as the construction friend that Teddy knows. Joe.

Later Joe walks right in to the toy store and gives her an estimate for the lumber needed. She basically tells him she couldn’t care less about any of the choices since she’s just fixing it up to sell. As she looks for her check book, Joe helps himself to a pirate hate and sword. Boys will be boys, am I right? Nicole’s sister Gail actually looks like her sister. Gail tries to start a really personal conversation in front of poor Joe. Joe just stands there like an idiot.

That night, Nicole decides to show up to the party. Gail notices her as they walk up to the door and grabs her hand and promises to take care of her during the party. Oh that nice sister moment didn’t make me tear up whatsoever. Alan, Nicole’s friend wins second place in the ugly sweater competition. Susan wins FIRST PLACE again. Guys, Susan’s outfits ARE THE BEST. It’s like no one else is even trying. Joe is at the party too. He has a fabulous sweater as well. Alan has demanded a recount on the votes of the best outfit. I love that. Then the power goes out!

Nicole and Joe find themselves outside and get to know each other better. Joe asks to walk home together. As they get to Nicole’s house, he suggests decorating “that tree.” I missed what “that tree” was. Nicole can’t sleep so she sends Henry phone twin another text. These are pretty intense texts for a stranger to receive. Then she whips out her knitting needles and her phone buzzes! She freaks out.

Best friend Alan is shaming children into buying books at his work. Nicole comes rushing in to show Alan the text response. The recipient says they’ve also gone through a loss and understands what she’s going through. Alan thinks it’s a sign from Henry.

Nicole and Joe arrive at a bakery and Joe doesn’t know what to order. Are they there together or did they just run into each other? He makes several attempts to order something but Nicole says all his choices are wrong. She says he must eat a peppermint bark cupcake…for breakfast. But it sounds like it was definitely the right choice and he agrees. He thought there had been life before the cupcake but now he’s not sure.

Nicole heads back to her “grandpa’s” house. I think she asks if he went to therapy in a round about way. No, she’s referring to the texting with the stranger business.

Later, Joe returns Nicole’s glove to the toy store. She’s organizing some toys that she plans to donate to the children’s hospital. Also can we take a moment of silence for Nicole’s sweater? Why didn’t she wear THAT one to the ugly sweater party? Joe puts on another hat and gets head lice for a second time. He is cracking Nicole up though which is sweet. Joe announces that he is single handedly putting in her new floors that day. GOOD LUCK JOE. Did she just look at a card from a child’s fortune telling kit? With like children’s tarot cards? I have…thoughts on that.

Later, Nicole texts more with Henry’s phone number recipient. That person’s brother died. Then Joe arrives to Nicole’s apartment with some kind of boxed food item and she invites him in. OH NO. HE DROPS A BOX OF PEPPERMINT BARK CUPCAKES. Devastating. Instead, she offers him a bunch of old casseroles her sister brought. I missed the bit where she wanted to rearrange her living room furniture. Then Joe shares a very strange personal anecdote. Without joking, he says he cries at the old “let’s all go to the lobby” song. I thought it was a bit but he says he’s serious. So that’s weird. Maybe we will get some backstory on that. Update: WE DON’T.

Next, more emotional texting with strangers. Are we going to have to hear that annoying buzz the whole time? Nicole shows up to the house and notices that he is about to throw away the old mistletoe that’s been hanging on the front of the house since last year. She grabs it from him and tries to just get out of there. She decides to walk home and he offers to walk her again. That neighborhood is decorated to the MAX for Christmas. As they walk, they rate the lawn decorations. Oh and Nicole has a favorite reindeer. As all sane adults do…

They find their way to a diner and Nicole says she’s NEVER HAD BREAKFAST FOR DINNER. OMG What. What a devastating life Nicole has led up until now. Then Joe says he has had dinner for breakfast, which to be fair, is more strange. Joe mentions doing these silly things with his brother. So…maybe he’s Henry’s phone number recipient? I mean duh. Then Joe asks if he can make her dinner sometime. She dodges the question. Then the waitress asks if Nicole can knit her a sweater like the one she made for her daughter’s stuffed pelican. Nicole is like, sure! That will be $300. And the waitress is like, everyone from my book club would like to be hundreds of dollars for hand knitted sweaters from you six months from now when you complete them. Can you just drop everything and do that? Joe talks to her about following her dream but making a living KNITTING CLOTHING FEELS LIKE A STRETCH.

Later, Nicole heads to some kind of outdoor Christmas event and feels lonely.

Nicole heads to her grandpa’s house and discovers that he’s gone to a dance studio. She peeks into the dance studio and sees him happily dancing with his neighbor I think.

Later, Nicole’s friend group does a white elephant gift exchange. There are some good items in the mix. Is Nicole wearing another ugly sweater? The spread for this party. YOU GUYS. Joe is part of the gang now? All of a sudden? Nicole gets a beautiful wood sign that Joe HANDMADE the night before. Does Hallmark not realize how long it takes to make things by hand? Later Joe notices that her sweater is homemade. She’s like, it’s nothing special, just took me 6 months to make. I worked well into the night, day after day until my knuckles swelled and I lost feeling in my finger tips. No big deal.

Nicole heads out of the party and Joe offers her a ride home. He has a newer red truck…but not that new. Then Joe serenades Nicole with “Old King Wenceslas.”

Later, Nicole texts with her Henry phone number pal. Then, she heads out to the woods and decorates a tree that is literally all alone in the middle of a field. I missed the significance of this. I feel like this is supposed to be a big part of the movie given that it’s in the cover art but I TOTALLY MISSED IT.

Afterwards, Gail, Susan and Nicole have a girls day. They girls say they think Joe’s been good for her. Nicole pushes back. Oh no. They start splashing face mask liquid at each other. They’re going to make a big mess. I hate it. I hate messes. Oh her living room. No. What are they even splashing on each other? And all over the food? No!! Is it going to seem so fun when you’re all scrubbing the carpet? Hungry with nothing to eat? When that neon color stays on those beautiful white robes? I didn’t think so.

Later, the girls head to a Christmas market. Joe just shows up. How does he just show up everywhere she is? I am not digging Nicole’s t-shirt sweater situation. Joe says he’ll be done by Christmas. Then Joe says he may be taking another job in another town. Susan thinks Nicole’s shelves are in desperate need of repair so he should do that first.

Then Nicole notices her “GRANDPA” on a DATE with a woman that could easily play her own mother. Nicole wanders to the Christmas tree section of the market to pick out a tree. She picks a little Charlie Brown tree and decorates it at home, alone. That night she texts her Henry phone pal. This person wants to meet!

At the bakery, Nicole runs into Helen, the neighbor. She is bringing “grandpa” lunch. Helen tells Nicole she will be able to take care of him. So that’s really sweet. But also, they’re in their early seventies so CAN WE ALL CHILL? Later, she asks how you move on from the love of your life. He gives some very wise advice. Then he dives into her Christmas present. She tells him to wait until Christmas and he says “at my age?” YOU’RE ONLY 72 PATRICK DUFFY! DON’T GIVE UP! Anyway, it’s a sweater. He gives her her grandma’s pin and she’s very moved.

Later, Gail brings over more mac and cheese. Nicole tells Gail she’s meeting her texting friend. As she’s heading out, she runs into Joe, who was dropping by to see those shelves. Then he KISSES HER. And then they have a hilarious back and forth that I just cannot do justice recapping here. Then SHE KISSES HIM. He maybe follows her to the restaurant? Sees her there….and then she gets a text that her pal can’t meet her. So is it him? Why was he going to her house if he literally had to go meet his texting pal right then too? Also, have they never communicated by phone at this point? Wouldn’t they have inadvertently figured this out when they exchanged numbers for the home renovations work?

Joe and Teddy have a heart to heart later. Teddy suggests that he tell Nicole who he is. So is anyone surprised at this point? He said he realized they had been texting each other for the first time last night. And again, why was he going to her house if he was on his way to meet her? Anyway, he thinks she will think he knew all along. He asks Teddy to give her a letter. Nicole is busy filling Alan in when Teddy walks in. He hands Nicole Joe’s letter which basically says, I’m too busy to do your shelves, so bye.

So, Nicole goes to her house to catch him. Joe is all business and is hurrying to leave. Nicole finally asks to see the house. She goes upstairs first or at least part way. Bold choice. I’d want to see the kitchen, even if I planned to sell. She looks around for like one minute and Joe is like, okay bye. Then Nicole GOES BIG. She tells Joe she’d like to have him in her life! And he’s like okay cool. I’m still leaving though. Uh oh. He left his phone there. She calls Teddy to try and work out a hand off for the phone. She decides to text Henry pal. So wait, you’re telling me that she and Joe have NEVER exchanged numbers? How? Anyway, she realizes now who he is since his phone immediately buzzes. Wait he gets a text on a different phone and she says she knows it was him. WHAT IS HAPPENING.

Later, Nicole sells the toy shop to her brother. Also, living for Nicole’s sweater. Oh no. Nicole is going to start an online store for her knitting. That just can’t be practical. Like at all. The cost of yarn? The time it must take her to make one item? And she says a shop owner told her her designs sold out in ten days. Like what? So then Teddy and Nicole talk about Joe. She’s like so that was so weird, right? And Teddy is like yeah it is super weird. It actually doesn’t make any sense. But like you should go after him right? And tell him that it was a weird move, but you still want to date him.

Okay so somehow, they meet at that random tree in the middle of the field. But she says she doesn’t know if she can trust him and then wanders off. When is this movie going to end? Nicole arrives at Susan’s house. Susan is hosting ANOTHER CHRISTMAS EVENT. Does Susan do anything else? Like how does she have so many parties? Anyway, she directs Nicole outside for a frigid scavenger hunt. Susan is SO FUN. Also what is Susan’s backyard? It’s like she’s running a mini cut-your-own Christmas tree farm. She debriefs with Alan as they slowly freeze to death due to inadequate winter clothing. Once again, I must state that Hallmark does not seem to understand what a scavenger hunt is. The wrapped present she was supposed to find (“hidden” IN PLAIN SIGHT) is a beautifully carved little mini version of her house.

She storms over to Joe’s house. He’s not there. She wanders the frigid streets with no hat or gloves. She wanders to her house. The exterior lights turn on as she approaches! Joe is there getting all the lighting finished. After ALL THAT, Nicole tells Joe she decided not to sell the house. She gives her little speech. As they’re about to kiss, Joe digs out some mistletoe. And then they DO KISS. TWICE!

So, I actually liked this one a lot. I expected it to be nonstop sad because of Nicole’s fiancé but it really wasn’t. Also, the AUDACITY to cast Patrick Duffy as her grandpa when he could have easily played her dad. There was no reason to make him her grandpa. But the friend group was great, except for Susan and Tom significantly contributing to Henry’s death. The siblings were great. All and all, a fun movie to watch! Tell me what you thought!

Hi Hallmark pals! My recap for this one is actually done via podcast with my good friend over at Dear Hallmark! Check out our discussion of the movie here! Or anywhere you listen to your podcasts. And tell me what YOU thought of this movie in the comments!

Okay guys, we’re in to weekend two! Four more movies. Four more recaps. I was excited to see two new leads and the previews intrigued me. I will reiterate that it may get harder and harder for me to like, make fun of these movies as we go through this season. But I AM GONNA TRY. Let’s dive in.

Our leading lady, Harmony, takes phone call after phone call and then talks to her mom about some variation of her current job. Her mom talks on speaker phone in the grocery store with her outside voice. Harmony does everyone in that store a favor and tells her mom she has to go.

She walks in to the new office with some cute pastry boxes and coffee. Their company has merged with another and she is going to get a big promotion. Her boss calls her in and basically tells her she’s being made redundant as part of this big merger. Well, that is certainly a turn of events. Harmony FIGHTS BACK HARD. She’s like, this merger would NEVER have happened without me. He’s like, yeah sorry. Bye. Also why doesn’t she go ahead and leave immediately?

Harmony calls her mom and tells her she’s coming home for Christmas after all.

Harmony walks up to her front door in high heels. Who comes home in high heels? Her mom was all ready to get her at the airport in two hours. She even had prune cobbler for her in her purse ready to go! Harmony speaks for all of us when she says she’s all set as far as prune cobbler goes. Harmony’s MOM you guys. She’s like okay now that you’re here let me show you off to everyone at church. I mean, that’s on brand for every mom I know.

At the church, Harmony runs into DEACON JAMES, who is as single has her mother so are we going to see anything happen or what? Apparently “Mother Matthew’s” pies are LEGENDARY. She’s made at least 150 and it seems like there’s still demand for more. Does Mother Matthew take even a minute’s rest though? She is scheming for her daughter and for these pies NONSTOP. Deacon James (I can’t tell if his name is Deacon or if he is a deacon at the church. Anyway, he tells the ladies that their choir director injured himself skiing and now they need a replacement. Harmony tries to back away from participating in the choir because she hasn’t sung in years. So they’re like, well what if you direct instead? And there seems to be no backing out of that.

The poor crippled choir director breaks the news to the choir. Harmony walks in in high heels with TOO MANY PIES. Guys, it’s just too many pies. She’s carrying upwards of ten pies in her hands. Naturally, she runs into someone. Like literally. And they crash and there’s precious pie all over the hallway floor. We are all devastated. Harmony seems to know this person, Kyle and they both walk into the sanctuary together. Kyle thinks HE’S directing the choir, not Harmony. But MAMMA MATTHEWS has SOME OPINIONS about this. The real grown ups head into the choir director’s office to CHAT. While Mama Matthews yells at the crippled choir director, Harmony “chats” with Kyle out in the hall…except now they seem to be competing about directing. I thought Harmony didn’t really want to do it? I can’t tell if we are supposed to realize they know each other in the pie scene. But here, we discover they haven’t spoken in five years. That would explain the huffiness. Kyle starts singing in the hallway and the older folks look on from the office. Then Harmony takes a turn. Oh good. Now they’re trying to out sing each other. WE ALL WIN in this competition. So the older people plan to make them both direct.

They make the announcement to the choir and one guy is just POUNDING A COSTCO SIZE BAG of popcorn.

Back at the record studio where Harmony was fired, a BIG TIME singer who wears her sunglasses inside has a sit down with studio executives. Melo D (I mean, okay.) is wondering where the “flavor” is of the studio. Or record label. She makes fun of their clothes and basically suggests they all need a little splash of hot sauce. Mac , Harmony’s boss, hits back and says they’re all going to continue to dress the same way they always do. HE DOESN’T GET IT. Melo D says they’re all just a bunch of tech nerds and she wants Harmony back. She’s the only one that can get Melo D’s latest record to be successful. Harmony’s pal videos the whole thing.

Back in Harmony’s home town, there is an outdoor hot chocolate party or something. Harmony sees Kyle with another girl I think? And decides she needs something from her car so she walks backward right in the direction of Kyle and runs into him. Harmony short circuits over Kyle and Felicia.

Harmony’s mom’s house is decorated beautifully. The next morning, Mother Matthews wakes Harmony up with a tray of food. WHAT SERVICE! My parents used to come into my room in basically the middle of the night, tell me the list of chores they’d like for me to do when it was finally morning and then vanish like a thief. So anyway, this would have been a welcome change. Harmony’s mom suggest she forgive Kyle (FOR WHAT) and she says she doesn’t have to, she just has to work with him.

Then, her boss calls and says she can have her job back if she can finish Melo D’s album. Oh, how the turn tables.

Now it’s audition time for the solo parts. It’s slim pickings at their church. Felicia gives Kyle a BIG HUG after making it to the final round. Harmony and Kyle argue over who to cast in the lead roles (of course).

Later, Harmony calls her pal who may or may not be on the toilet? In her bathroom? She has a face mask on so she’s ready for some self care. Harmony tells her that she’s directing the church choir in her home town. Harmony admits it’s going to be fun, even with stinky old Kyle.

Later, there is another party happening? Harmony’s sister, Jennifer comes over and brings her famous cookies…from a can. Mama Matthews promises to protect her grandchildren from such a travesty. Jennifer whips out a bottle of wine from her Mary Poppin’s bag and informs the girls that her husband is taking the kids while they have a girl night. So then the girls proceed to get hammered and have some seriously overdo girl talk. Mama Matthews admits that Deacon James can “fill out a Christmas sweater.” I died. Then Harmony’s sister whips out a home video of Harmony singing to her parents. They remember their dad. In the video, Harmony is singing really…poorly. Like so poorly I think she’s trying to sing like a little kid. But then Kyle shows up and sings normally so I don’t know what that’s about. That kind of puts a damper on the whole vibe of the evening. And, Mama Matthews has really tied one on at this point. Harmony’s sister asks her what’s UP with Kyle. Harmony says she waited for him at the airport seven years ago. But was he supposed to be coming or going?

The next day, Mama Matthews and Deacon James help out at a clothing drive at the rescue. They help an adorable mom and child get some outfits for a job interview.

Later, Kyle and Harmony have the choir practice outside of the mission. They sound…much bigger than their current numbers. They may have decided to move the whole performance outside? I didn’t catch why they were outside. Okay yes they are going to have the performance outside. Have I mentioned that the performance is going to be outside?

Later, Melo D talks to Harmony on the phone. Melody tells Harmony that she’s not hard to please, she just needs ALOT and none of it is contradictory so it should be a breeze! Then Kyle shows up at the Matthews residence and Mama Matthews is obviously not chill AT ALL. They start making what else, but PIE. Mama Matthews starts playing music. Did I mention, NO CHILL? Then Kyle reenacts “Ghost” showing Harmony how to roll out a pie crust. SUBTLE, KYLE. They abandon the whole pie endeavor and I assume don’t even clean up and Kyle takes her to a club of some kind. Kyle gets called up on stage to perform with the band. He tries to introduce and call Harmony up to the stage. But she is NOT pleased bout that. He starts playing her favorite song and she gets up to leave instead. She is mad. He encourages her to stay and assures her she doesn’t have to sing. But why doesn’t she want to sing, I wonder? He invites her to dance. Then he sings to her as they dance. Oh and she sings back. This is cute even though I’d personally be dying inside.

Deacon James and Mama Mathews are concerned while they chat at the rescue mission. An employee approaches them and lets them know that there is the possibility that the mission will be bought and turned into a RETAIL SPACE. Because the building is just leased. To save it, they need to raise…$5000. They’ve never raised that much before, and at the same time, that is a ridiculously low amount of money needed to save the rescue mission. Couldn’t a few people just spread that out on a couple credit cards?

Later, there is some choir practice and another hot chocolate party. Jennifer, plays an excellent wingman. If you can call it that. She basically squeezes in between Felicia and Kyle on a small chair. Kyle finds Harmony humming along to her snow globe. She tells him she’s not a singer anymore. WHY HARMONY?

Deacon and Mama Matthews tell them the bad news about the mission. Harmony gets a good idea. She just calls up Melo D. She plays her a recording of the choir and Melody is IN to perform at this Christmas concert. But what will she sing? Kyle is going to write AN ORIGINAL SONG for Melo D. Obviously Harmony has to help.

They get to work at some future time. As they work on the song, Kyle wonders if Harmony really wants her old job back. She’s such a good singer so like is she living her dream? Then Harmony suggests they go look for a tree. What DAY IS IT? Isn’t Christmas like, days away? I don’t know. Despite having a “bachelor pad” with towels on the windows, he has a bunch of beautiful ornaments that all go together. And now has some garland around his door, because even bachelor pads are decorated to the max in Hallmark movies. Then they just hum along to the piano together. Kyle holds some mistletoe over their head, but she doesn’t take the bait. They leave again to get more inspiration. HOW MUCH MORE INSPIRATION DO THEY NEED? And when are they going to do some dang work?

At Inspiration Point, they reminisce about the past. Kyle tells her she was his dream. She asks why he didn’t come to the airport? But he doesn’t tell her. WHAT AIRPORT? WHEN? Then Harmony gets some inspo and knows what to write.

Later, the choir practices with Melo D over the phone. They really play up the crackly phone quality. Then we have a montage of choir practice. And by now, they’ve totally revamped the outdoor space for the concert. Then Harmony gets a call. Melo D cannot make it to the concert. There is a snowpocalypse, so she’s trapped.

Later, Felicia tries to practice a part that is too high for her. This is Melo D’s solo. Kyle suggests Harmony try and sing it. She has a VERY high voice. Guys it’s obviously night and day. Felicia is like why would I even try it? Harmony is like what? Me? No. Kyle is like Harmony you have to sing. Harmony is like I’m not a singer! Says who? Basically everyone, apparently. She got ALOT of rejection in NYC. Kyle gives her some tough love. I mean, like just because she doesn’t have a record deal doesn’t mean she can’t sing at her church Christmas concert. Tons of people just do that. Anyway, she finally comes to her senses.

Deacon and Mama Matthews chat about ticket sales and more. Mama Matthews works up the courage to ask Deacon out on a date! Okay this is too cute for words.

Uh oh. Some woman walks into the room and says she saw Felicia doing the “mistletoe tango” with “Mr. Noah.” And Harmony thinks it’s Kyle. But it’s his brother! So then Mama Matthews said that Kyle and Harmony needed to talk. They tell her what happened. Way back when, Kyle went to Harmony’s house to go to the airport with her to both follow their dream in NYC. Basically her dad was like, Kyle you can’t go because you will hold Harmony back. And that special snow globe was actually from Kyle. But then her dad died and this just all stayed unresolved since then. So then for some reason, Harmony has a mental breakdown about her own personal problems and doesn’t want to do the solo. Kyle tells her he LOVES her but she doesn’t believe him. I believe there is some light heresy mixed in as well. At the very least, some taking the Bible out of context. Then he gives her some TOUGH LOVE again.

Okay so now it’s time for the big concert. Harmony and her mom are wearing the prettiest dresses. Melo D is actually on her way too! Kyle still wants Harmony to sing. He tells her that she’s afraid to shine. I LOVE Harmony’s dress. I wish I had an excuse to wear something like that. And now the concert starts! As the choir sings, I realize that one guy has traded his bag of popcorn for a tambourine. Meanwhile, Melo D races to get to the concert in time. Harmony tries to announce that Melo D won’t be there and wants to skip that song. Kyle starts playing anyway and the choir jumps in. So now Harmony has to just sing it! Everyone obviously LOVES it. I LOVE IT. And Harmony gets into it. Right as the song gets over, Mel D arrives. They decide to have her do Carol of the Bells and she’s a good sport about it. And Harmony is just all about singing now and just hops in and harmonizes. And then the song just ends abruptly. I actually didn’t think anyone knew the words to Carol of the Bells.

Surprise, surprise, the concert raised the funds needed! Then Harmony’s boss calls and asks to get the choir to New Year’s Eve to record the single. He offers her whatever job she wants and she’s like, girl bye. I’ve got new dreams. Melo D thinks Harmony should be a solo artist and promises to support her. Melo D is starting her own label! GET IT GIRLS. Or wait, Harmony is starting her own label with money from Melo D and Melo D is going to join it too. Also, Kyle has decided to move to New York too. And then Kyle says he’s not missing his chance. They KISS and every dang extra in the building starts singing “Hallelujah.”

So, I loved this movie. They are all just so dang good this year you guys! What did you think?