I have a confession to make: I love Lifetime and Hallmark Holiday Movies. Not sure what it is about those formulaic flicks, but I just can’t get enough of them this time of year. The plots are generally so simple, and loosely based on more classic holiday stories like “A Christmas Carol” or “Miracle on 34th Street.” This list does a hilarious job of outlining the standard tropes of these movies.
Even with the silly clichés, though, I’m still hooked. I suppose, watching those movies is like snuggling with a warm, familiar blanket. I can pour myself a cup of piping hot chocolate (like this yummy-looking peppermint hot chocolate), or maybe some egg nog, or mulled wine, turn on the Christmas tree lights and the gas fireplace, and float off into a winter wonderland of cheesy romance.
I especially enjoy the ones that feature the “real” Santa Claus. I saw one recently that featured an up-and-coming Santa (named Nick, obviously) who needed to find a wife before Christmas. (He was taking over the holiday from his dad, the real Santa, but had to have the spouse in place first, of course.) I saw another that had Santa and Mrs. Santa approaching one of their milestone wedding anniversaries. Only Santa forgot the anniversary, so Mrs. Claus ran off to Vegas. Vegas!!
This looks like a good one!
Even with the silly clichés, though, I’m still hooked. I suppose, watching those movies is like snuggling with a warm, familiar blanket. I can pour myself a cup of piping hot chocolate (like this yummy-looking peppermint hot chocolate), or maybe some egg nog, or mulled wine, turn on the Christmas tree lights and the gas fireplace, and float off into a winter wonderland of cheesy romance.
I especially enjoy the ones that feature the “real” Santa Claus. I saw one recently that featured an up-and-coming Santa (named Nick, obviously) who needed to find a wife before Christmas. (He was taking over the holiday from his dad, the real Santa, but had to have the spouse in place first, of course.) I saw another that had Santa and Mrs. Santa approaching one of their milestone wedding anniversaries. Only Santa forgot the anniversary, so Mrs. Claus ran off to Vegas. Vegas!!
Another thing I like about these movies is that you get to see 80s and 90s actors you haven’t seen in a while. What’s Steve Guttenberg been up to lately? Why, it appears he’s in this movie. Good for him! What about Daphne Zuniga? Ahhh, there she is in this movie with Jay Mohr – I always liked them.
If I’m really lucky, there will be a Dolly Parton movie. Dolly is only just my favorite celebrity of all time. In 2013 there was a Dolly movie on Lifetime called “A Country Christmas Story,” and seeing that was a highlight of my holiday season.(Note: My husband has asked me to state for the record that he NEVER watches these movies with me.)
So if you find yourself in the middle of a stressful season, I recommend tuning out the obligations and errands by turning on one of these cable TV movie classics.This looks like a good one!
