Five Tree Christmas

Reviews of A Maple Valley Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries), Falling for Christmas (Netflix), and The Royal Nanny (Hallmark Channel).

Reviews for Jolly Good Christmas (Hallmark Channel) and Well Suited for Christmas (Lifetime).

Reviews of A Cozy Christmas Inn (Hallmark Channel) and Merry Swissmas (Lifetime).

A quick recap of what we do here at Five Tree Christmas, and reviews of "Noel Next Door" & "We Wish You a Married Christmas" from Hallmark Channel.

Listen in on my Christmas 2021 Roundup with Maddie Rudawski. Maddie and I share our overall impressions of the Christmas 2021 crop of movies, and our thoughts on the best movies, the most disappointing movies, and of course, our favorite movies! Since I love libraries, I snuck in a few questions about the state of libraries in 2021, and her answers are fascinating. I know you'll enjoy this conversation!

Join me for this lovely conversation with actor, writer, and director Neal Bledsoe. In this episode, Neal and I discuss his career as a storyteller, the history of the song Auld Lang Syne, while watching football is hard for us, and so much more. We end by previewing "The Winter Palace" - Neal's upcoming movie with Danica McKellar, airing this Saturday, January 8th at 8pm on GAC Family (and streaming on IMDBtv, Peacock, and more!). 

Listen in on this delightful conversation with Dr. Anika Schenck-Fontaine! Anika is a fellow Christmas movie lover, a German, an American, and a BRILLIANT, thoughtful, and funny woman. We talk about growing up in Germany, compare Christmas experiences on both sides of the Atlantic, and why we love Christmas movies so much. It's a great episode, and I'm excited for you to listen in!

Reivews of Snowbound for Christmas (Netflix), Home Sweet Home Alone (Disney+), and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (Netflix)

Reviews of Next Stop, Christmas (Hallmark Channel), A Christmas Treasure (Hallmark Channel), An Ice Wine Christmas (Lifetime), Open by Christmas (Hallmark Channel), One December Night (Hallmark Channel), and A Holiday in Harlem (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries).

Listen in on my conversation with Kwadwo Som-Pimpong of Crafted Glory Designs! We have a delightful conversation about the process of making furniature, building a business, and - of course - Christmas! 

Reviews of Love Hard (Netflix) and Gingerbread Miracle (Hallmark Channel).

Listen in on my conversation with Kari Olson of Hallmark Comics! We have a ton of fun discussing her love for comics, why she started Hallmark Comics, and a bit about her process too. We also discuss Christmas and Christmas movies, of course! You don't want to miss this conversation - it's a delight!

Reviews of "Christmas in Harmony" and "Coyote Creek Christmas," both from the Hallmark Channel.

Christmas is back! Almost countdown to Christmas has already begun, and we have more to expect from Hallmark, lifetime, Netflix, and many more networks. In this episode, I introduce the new plot type system, review the rating system, and share what I'm most excited to see the season!

The highs and lows of the Christmas 2020 Movie Season. I talk about the worst and most disappointing Christmas movies of 2020, and the best movies and actors that we got to see on our screens this year!

Join me for this conversation with Stephie Predmore. We have a fascinating, funny, and deep conversation about Adoption and Foster Care on TV and in the movies. You'll learn a lot, and you laugh out loud along the way. 

Love, Lights, Hanukkah! (Hallmark Channel): As Christina prepares her restaurant for Christmas, a DNA test reveals that she's Jewish! The discovery leads her to a new family and a new, unlikely romance over eight crazy nights. Stars Mia Kirshner, Ben Savage, and Marilu Henner. 

Project Christmas Wish (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries): For years Lucy has played Santa to her small town's community. As she grants a little girl's wish for a "Christmas like it used to be," she unexpectedly finds her own wishes coming true. Stars Amanda Schull and Travis Van Winkle.

A Christmas Princess (Amazon Prime): A prince from a small European country arrives in New York City to plan his family's annual Christmas charity dinner.

Inn love by Christmas (Lifetime): Mandy Leeds (Jonna Walsh), a successful young woman living in Miami, is climbing her way up the corporate ladder in the hotel industry. Though she doesn’t get back to her small northern hometown much, this year her Gram (Jayne Eastwood) is able to finally convince her to come home for Christmas. Mandy has another reason too – the quaint local inn is for sale, and she wants to acquire it for her company. With her eyes on the prize, Mandy travels back home but on her way there, she runs into Lucas Menzino (Jesse Hutch) — her high school rival — who also has his eye on the inn as well.

The Christmas Setup (Lifetime): The Christmas Setup follows the story of New York lawyer Hugo (Ben Lewis) who heads to Milwaukee with his best friend Madelyn (Ellen Wong) to spend the holidays with his brother Aiden (Chad Connell) and his mom Kate (Fran Drescher), who is also in charge of the local Christmas celebrations. Ever the matchmaker, Kate arranges for Hugo to run into Patrick (Blake Lee), Hugo’s high school friend and secret crush, who has recently returned after a successful stint in Silicon Valley. As they enjoy the local holiday festivities together, Hugo and Patrick’s attraction to each other is undeniable and it looks as though Kate’s Santa-style matchmaking is a success. But as Hugo receives word of a big promotion requiring a move to London, he must decide what is most important to him.

Christmas in Glenbrooke (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries): Longing to be accepted for herself and not just her wealth, an heiress heads to the small town of Glenbrooke, where she discovers the joys of a simple Christmas, community, and maybe even love. Starring Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo

Join me for a conversation with Megan and Jasmine. You know how Minnesota and New York City often show up in Christmas movies? Well, Megan tells us all about the magic of Christmas in New York City,  and Jasmine tells us with us what Christmas in Minnesota is like. You might think you know what Christmas in Minnesota New York City is like, but in this episode, Megan and Jasmine reveal their lived experiences of Christmas in "The City."

Reviews of Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas, Let's Meet Again on Christmas Eve, Christmas Ever After.

Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries): Five guests are mysteriously invited to an inn to celebrate Christmas. With the help of the owner Ben, Sarah discovers that an event from the past may connect them and change their lives forever. Starring Lacey Chabert, Stephen Huszar.

Let's Meet Again on Christmas Eve (Lifetime): When college sweethearts, Corinne (Kyla Pratt) and Rob (Brooks Darnell), get opportunities on opposite sides of the world, they decide to part ways and meet again in two years on Christmas Eve to see if they are really meant to be. However, when one shows up and the other doesn’t, the fate of their romance seems to have reached the end. Many years later the two end up bumping into one another when they are both hired to help bring together a Christmas Eve wedding. With many questions left unanswered, they are about to embark on a journey filled with romance and magic, just in time for Christmas Eve.

Christmas Ever After (Lifetime): Popular romance novelist Izzi Simmons (Tony® winner Ali Stroker) spends every Christmas at her favorite snowy bed & breakfast, but this year, she’s faced with an impending deadline and a severe case of writer’s block. Luckily, inspiration strikes in the unlikely form of the B&B’s new owner Matt (Daniel di Tomasso), who bears an uncanny resemblance to the handsome hero from Izzi’s novels. As both partake in the lodge’s annual itinerary of Christmas activities, Izzi’s writer’s block is cured and the first pages of her and Matt’s own love story may just be beginning.

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Evyn about all things plastic surgery. We discuss common done procedures that might be misunderstood, the often forgotten reconstructive side of plastic surgery, and what it's like to be a plastic surgery resident. Our conversation is a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy it!

Synopses:

The Christmas Listing (Lifetime): Julia Rogers (Lexi Giovagnoli) is an uptight, hardworking realty owner who has lost her Christmas spirit. She will have to spend five days at a Christmas Inn with her business competitor, Chad Everest (Travis Burns), in order to win over the badly needed listing of the Erickson Farmstead. While competing to win the listing, Julia and Chad discover that they have more in common than they thought.

Midnight at the Magnolia (Netflix): Longtime friends and local radio hosts Maggie and Jack fake it as a couple for their families and listeners in hopes of getting their show nationally syndicated.

Too Close for Christmas (Lifetime): When Hayley (Jessica Lowndes) accepts an invitation to spend Christmas with her sister’s new in-laws, her seemingly perfect holiday takes a turn when Paul (Chad Michael Murray), Hayley’s brother-in-law’s brother, unexpectedly shows up. Still harboring a grudge against Paul for ending her last relationship, Hayley reluctantly spends time with Paul and slowly realizes she may have been too quick a judge on him.

Synopses: 

If I Only Had Christmas (Hallmark Channel): Kansas City publicist Darcy ventures to the Emerald Educational Trust for the job of a lifetime, helping VP Glen Goodman and his team find the know how, courage, and heart to help a charity in need for Christmas. Darcy and Glen begin to realize they have everything in common. However, Glen's surprise revelation at the big Christmas gala just may put an end to their promising romance before it has really gotten started. Starring Candace Cameron Bure and Warren Christie.

USS Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries): Maddie, a reporter for a Norfolk newspaper, embarks on a Tiger Cruise during Christmastime where she meets a handsome naval officer and stumbles upon a mystery in the ship's archive room. Starring Jen Lilley, Trevor Donovan, Barbara Niven.

Synopses:

The Christmas Waltz (Hallmark Channel): After Avery's storybook Christmas wedding is canceled, a dance instructor helps her face her fears in life and fulfill her dream of learning to dance. Stars Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp.

Once Upon a Mainstreet (Lifetime): Amelia Lewis (Vanessa Lachey) is super excited when she buys an available storefront, planning to open a year-round Christmas shop. But her celebration comes to a screeching halt when she discovers that Vic Manning (Ryan McPartlin) has also bid on the property. Amelia and Vic have the same idea, get to the seller—Elder Dubois (Patrick Duffy) in the next town—and convince him to sell his space to them. Despite the holidays, Elder is down in the dumps. It’s the first Christmas without his wife, and he’s in no mood to chair the decoration committee for the “Battle of the Main Street” yearly holiday competition with the neighboring town. Hoping to win favor with Elder, Amelia and Vic volunteer to take over his duties. After continually bickering and trying to one-up each other, the two combatants learn to work together and even get the merchants on Main Street to put aside their differences for the greater good. Everyone, including Amelia and Vic, realize that compromise is the key that leads to a happy—and romantic—ending.

Reviews of Dear Christmas and Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding, both from Lifetime. Some special guests join me for the Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding review!

Synopses: 

Dear Christmas (Lifetime): Natalie Morgan (Melissa Joan Hart) is the host of a popular podcast, Holiday Love, which shares true stories of holiday romance with its listeners. While the outside world and her listeners everywhere see Natalie is an expert on romance, she’s never truly experienced a romance of her own. As Natalie prepares to embark on a promotional tour for her new book, she stops back home to spend Christmas with her family where she unexpectedly begins to experience her own holiday romance as sparks ignite with local firefighter, Chris (Jason Priestley). Dear Christmas also stars Robin Givens, Ed Begley Jr. & Faith Prince and includes cameos by Jamie and Doug Hehner (Married at First Sight: Couples Cam) and Hilarie Burton and Antwon Tanner (One Tree Hill).

Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding (Lifetime): Lifetime’s first-ever Christmas sequel to last year’s hit movie, Merry Liddle Christmas, Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding once again follows Jacquie Liddle (Kelly Rowland), as she and Tyler (Thomas Cadrot) try to plan their perfect destination Christmas wedding. Naturally, Jacquie’s plans go awry when her boisterous family intervenes in her planning and her snooty wedding planner quits in protest. While nothing goes as initially planned, Jacquie and Tyler get a Christmas wedding more memorable than they could have ever dreamed.

Reviews of Christmas by Starlight (Hallmark Channel) and Five Star Christmas (Hallmark Channel).

Synopses:

Christmas by Starlight: A lawyer makes a deal with the heir to a development firm to spare her family's restaurant from demolition. However, she must spend the week posing as the legal counsel his father is demanding he hire in the wake of some costly mistakes. Stars Paul Campbell and Kimberley Sustad.

Five Star Christmas: When a travel writer shows up unexpectedly at their dad's B&B, the Ralston family all pretend to be guests in hopes of a good review. Lucy falls for guest Jake but can't share her secret. Stars Bethany Joy Lenz and Victor Webster.

Synopses:

Homemade Christmas (Lifetime): Every year, Megan (Michelle Argyris), an ambitious young woman uses the weeks leading up to Christmas to become the ultimate holiday freelance assistant for hire, helping with any Christmas-related tasks for extra income. But when the opportunity arrives to save a Christmas party and dazzle her crush, she must choose between the man of her aspirations and Mr. Right.

A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado (Hallmark Channel): Erin is planning the town’s Christmas celebration and must win over firefighter Kevin in order to obtain the beautiful spruce tree from his property for the celebration. Starring Rochelle Aytes and Mark Taylor.

Today I'm chatting with Omega, a nursing student and small-business owner. Omega and her husband Brandon have lived many of the storylines we see on TV and in Hallmark movies - owning an hotel, living in a festive and picturesque town, growing up as a pastor’s kid, and getting engaged after 5 months. Omega shares the real life truths of living out these movie storylines. Omega also shares some of her holiday traditions with us, like making tamales with her family. This episode is seriously a blast, so stick around and enjoy our conversation.

Her husband Brandon also runs this great Instagram account called @flippingadollar where he’s using his entrepreneurial spirit in an innovative to pay off debt, and teach others to do the same.

Reviews of The Angel Tree (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries), The Christmas House (Hallmark Channel), A Godwink Christmas: Second Chances, First Love (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

The Angel Tree: A writer seeks the identity of the person who helps grant wishes that are placed upon The Angel Tree, and in the process, reconnects with her childhood friend. Starring Jill Wagner and Lucas Bryant.

The Christmas House: Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis and patriarch Bill, have summoned their two grown sons – TV star, Mike Mitchell and Brandon Mitchell – home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house, will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband Jake make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi, his high school sweetheart. 

A Godwink Christmas: Second Chances, First Love: After 15 years, Pat moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and through a series of coincidences, or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart, Margie at Christmas. Starring Brooke D’Orsay and Sam Page.

Reviews of A Taste of Christmas (Lifetime), Feliz NaviDAD (Lifetime), and A Nashville Christmas Carol (Hallmark Channel). 

Synopses:

A Taste of Christmas: When Natalie (Anni Krueger) learns her cousin Francesca (Nia Vardalos) must cancel the Christmas Eve opening of her new Italian restaurant, Natalie’s heart goes out to all of the guests who were planning on attending. Since no one should be alone on Christmas, Natalie decides to make the opening happen any way she can. However, the attractive but pessimistic Chef Stefano (Gilles Marini) believes it’s impossible — there are only three days until Christmas! But Natalie insists that problems are just opportunities in disguise and soon she convinces Stefano that they can do it. At first, these opposites do not attract, but feelings begin to change when they find themselves working side-by-side. With Stefano’s help Natalie learns that cooking, like Christmas, isn’t about perfection… it’s about sharing it with the ones you love.

Feliz NaviDAD: David Morales (Mario Lopez), an Arizona high school principal and single dad, has lost the holiday spirit after also losing his wife a few years ago during the Christmas season. Now, David will do anything to avoid Christmas so he moonlights as a delivery driver during the holidays. But this year David’s 14-year-old daughter, Noel (Paulina Chavez), and his live-in sister, Marissa (Marycarmen Lopez), are determined to bring the yuletide spirit back to the family and, with a little luck, also help David find love again via online dating. So when Sophie (AnnaLynne McCord), a witty musician and customer on David’s delivery route, swipes right on him, something magical happens between them.

A Nashville Christmas Carol: A television producer is forced to work with the man who broke her heart on a country music Christmas special while being interrupted by Christmas spirits determined for her to revisit her past. Starring Jessy Schram and Wes Brown.

In this episode I chat with Maddie Rudawski about her life as a public librarian for a mid-size public library system. Maddie shares all sorts of insights about library life, including the different kinds of librarians that exist, the diversity of work that librarians do, the institutional dynamics that affect libraries, and all sorts of other interesting tidbits. And of course we also talk stories and Christmas! In fact, Maddie runs a silly, very snarky blog where she reviews made-for-TV Christmas movies: thehallmarkproject.weebly.com, and you can find her on Twitter at @hey_librarygirl. 

Reviews of Meet Me At Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) & A Timeless Christmas (Hallmark Channel). 

Synopses:

Meet Me At Christmas: When her son's wedding planner quits, Joan must coordinate his Christmas Eve wedding with the help of Beau, the bride's uncle. They realize their fates and pasts are intertwined. Stars Catherine Bell and Mark Deklin.

A Timeless Christmas: Charles Whitley travels from 1903 to 2020 where he meets Megan Turner and experiences a 21st Century Christmas. Starring Erin Cahill and Ryan Paevey.

Reviews of The Christmas Doctor (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) and The Christmas Edition (Lifetime).

Synopses:

The Christmas Doctor: Zoey is a traveling doctor who prefers short assignments to staying put, so when she is assigned to a small town clinic for the holidays, she is surprised when she starts to feel at home.

The Christmas Edition:It’s Christmas time and Jackie, an up-and- coming journalist, finds that her life is at a crossroads until she finds an unexpected opportunity – to run a small-town newspaper in Alaska. Jackie decides to give it a try and relocates to the small picture-perfect small town. Using a series of Christmas articles, she’s able to quickly return the newspaper to profitability, and soon falls in love… both with her new home and the handsome son of the paper’s former owner. However, when her old boss announces plans to take over the paper for herself, Jackie will need a Christmas miracle to save it.

Reviews of Christmas on the Vine (Lifetime), Christmas in Vienna (Hallmark Channel), and Christmas Wheels (Lifetime).

Synopses: 

Christmas on the Vine: Brooke (Julianna Guill), a young marketing executive, goes back to her hometown excited to relive her Christmas memories, while helping a struggling family-owned winery. Her marketing assignment involves an unlikely partnership with Tyler (Jon Corr), the charismatic, yet stubborn owner of the winery. Brooke quickly learns that the town’s Christmas spirit has disappeared due to a wine conglomerate buying out all of the local wineries. Determined to bring Christmas back to the town, Brooke and Tyler work together and discover they share more than a love for wine.

Christmas in Vienna: Jess, a concert violinist whose heart just isn’t in it anymore, goes to Vienna for a performance. While there, she finds the inspiration she has been missing, and a new love. Starring Sarah Drew and Brennan Elliott.

Christmas Wheels: Blaire Fowler, who has recently lost some of her Christmas spirit, travels back to her hometown for the holidays at the request of her uncle who every season delivers toys in his vintage Cadillac to all the local shelters and foster homes in town. Not only is Blaire reunited with her uncle but also Hunter, her former high school flame now a lawyer and a town hero in his own right, who decides to help Blaire bring gifts to all the children and also help remind her of the joys of the holiday season in their town. (Stars Tiya Sircar & Michael Xavier)

Review of Jingle Jangle (Netflix).

Synopsis: In the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle's (Forest Whitaker) fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it's up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (Madalen Mills) - and a long-forgotten invention - to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within.

In this episode, I discuss accessories  and style with Kathleen & Kristin of Wish Upon a Shop (wishuponashop.co). We talk about items like mask chains & headbands, what it's like to work with a friend, running multiple small businesses, and iconic style on TV and in the movies. 

Reviews of Christmas with the Darlings (Hallmark Channel), A Very Charming Christmas Town (Lifetime), & The Christmas Bow (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

Synopses: 

Christmas with the Darlings: When an assistant gives her final notice, she is drawn into helping the charming, younger brother of her wealthy boss as he looks after his orphaned nieces and nephew through Christmas. Stars Katrina Law, Carlo Marks and Steve Bacic.

A Very Charming Christmas Town: City girl and travel and lifestyle blogger, Aubrey Lang, goes to the little town of Solvang for her next holiday vlog piece after it’s voted Most Christmassy Town in the USA. She soon meets Sawyer Larsen, a local community coordinator and chocolate shop owner assigned to show her around the small town. At first, the unlikely pairing is at odds but soon start to fall for each other amidst the twinkling lights of the romantic little Danish village. Natalie Hall, Jon Prescott, Kelley Jakle, Jo Marie Payton, Tracey E. Bregman star. (2020)

The Christmas Bow: Kate is a promising musician whose lifelong dream of playing in the Rocky Mountain Philharmonic is put on hold by an accident. Reconnecting with Patrick, an old family friend, and his young cousin Gavin (Kenneth Cummins, “The Road Home for Christmas”), while recovering at home during the Christmas holiday, she finds love in someone who believes in her. Starring Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady.

Reviews of "A Welcome Home Christmas" (Lifetime) and "The Christmas Ring" (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries).

Synopses: 

The Christmas Ring: A reporter searches for the love story behind an antique engagement ring. With the help of the ring's owner's grandson, they learn the legacy his grandparent's left behind. 

 A Welcome Home Christmas: Chloe has always supported various military organizations, including the town’s Army toy drive for Christmas. This year, she is paired up with Michael, a vet who recently returned home, and together they recruit other veterans and active military personnel to help in the cause. As the community gears up for the Officer’s Christmas Ball, where all the kids will meet Santa Claus and receive their gifts, Michael and Chloe begin to realize the greatest gift this season has been each other’s company. 

Reviews of Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater (Hallmark Channel), Operation Christmas Drop (Netflix), and Christmas Yule Blog (Lifetime) 

Synopses: 

Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater: Social media travel writer Caroline Williams is sent to Carte De Amor, New Mexico on an assignment where she meets high school teacher Oscar Ortiz, who introduces her to another side of Christmas.

Operation Christmas Drop: Congressional aide Erica forgoes family Christmas to travel at her boss's behest. At a beachside Air Force base, she clashes with Capt. Andrew Jantz, who knows her assignment is finding reasons to defund the facility.

Christmas Yule Blog: Social media travel writer Caroline Williams is sent to Carte De Amor, New Mexico on an assignment where she meets high school teacher Oscar Ortiz, who introduces her to another side of Christmas.

Review of The Christmas Aunt (Lifetime). 

Synopsis: Two weeks before Christmas, Rebecca Miller returns home to Tennessee to take care of her niece and nephew and ends up reconnecting with her childhood best friend.