Now don’t get me wrong here, I love a Hallmark Christmas movie just as much as the next girl; maybe even a little more. As much as I hate to say it, they are a little bit predictable.
There’s nothing like cuddling up in some cozy Christmas pj’s and fluffy socks in front of the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and the Hallmark channel on the TV. Those same cheesy romantic scenes full of Christmas spirit get me every time, leaving me with a smile and a warm heart. My mom and I have made it our own personal mission to see every movie on there at least once each holiday season for the last four years, and we have no intent of stopping this year. However, with all of this Christmas cheer we have started to notice a bit of a trend relating the plot of each movie. Here is my version of the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas Movie Recipe.
Setting:
A Small Christmas Town
It seems like every Hallmark movie I have ever watched has been set in a small town, full of friendly people, and bursting with Christmas decorations. They all seem to have an appropriately festive name (ie: Garland or Hollyvale). It’s like a Christmas unicorn, no one has ever actually visited one but we’re all convinced they exist.
Characters:
The Pretty Girl who Loves Christmas
Actresses Lacey Chabert, Danica McKellar, Lori Loughlin, and Candace Cameron Bure are just a few of my faves. All of them playing the same role as the sweet, successful woman faced with continuing the family business. She dreads a business trip to a small Christmas town only to end up meeting the man of her dreams and falling in love, making it her permanent home. Oh and did I mention she always has perfect hair and makeup and a flawless outfit despite the 20 degree weather, super realistic am I right?
The Single Supportive Parent
The pretty girl who loves Christmas always seems to grow up in a single parent household. Either her mother or father passed away and now the other is struggling to keep the family business afloat. They have lost touch since the other passed but in the spirit of Christmas are able to find happiness and peace once again.
The Arrogant Fiancée/Boyfriend
Spoiler Alert..she’s probably going to dump him! A rich businessman who is much too busy working to take part in holiday festivities, he was the love of her life until she spent a week with this guy.
The Handsome Guy from the Small Town
Conveniently the first person she meets when she arrives in the small Christmas town. He’s super charming and also happens to love the holiday season. He runs a small business in town and is mostly likely a single-father or dog-owner. After a few disagreements with the pretty girl who loves Christmas he eventually realizes he is falling in love and chases her down just as she’s about to leave town.
The Santa-Looking Figure who Predicts Love
An old man she meets in the town square, he looks oddly like Santa and has a twinkle in his eye. He sees love in her future right before she bumps into the handsome guy from the small town. He is not a main character, but pops up occasionally to guide them towards each other and remind them what Christmas is really about.
The Irresistibly Adorable Child/Dog
But really who can resist a sweet little one? The Child/Dog forms a connection with the pretty girl who loves Christmas and keeps bringing her to the handsome guy from the small town so they will eventually fall in love.
Extras:
Light Snowfall
Because what Hallmark movie wouldn’t be complete with a perfectly timed kiss as a few beautiful snowflakes start to fall from the sky? I’m still not convinced that even one character owns a coat that could actually keep them warm. Oh and there is usually a huge blizzard trapping the pretty girl who loves Christmas in the small town. It’s always a White Christmas on the Hallmark Channel.
Christmas Everything
A visit to the Christmas tree farm, a snowball fight, Christmas cookie baking, caroling, a sleigh ride, ice skating, a Christmas concert/play, drinking hot chocolate, decorating, the town’s Christmas walk, and of course sitting on Santa’s lap. Every single holiday activity crammed into an hour and a half of movie bliss.
Convenient Product Placement
Not exactly a Hallmark essential, but there’s definitely some clever advertising. That Folgers coffee can in the kitchen, iPhone used to snap a picture, or Chevy SUV hauling the Christmas tree, it’s not just a coincidence. If buying that product helps me find my Christmas prince then count me in.
Whatever those people at Hallmark are doing, they are definitely doing it right. Keep making that Christmas magic, no worries I’ll be watching!
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone :)