Graduation Cards
Happy weekend before Christmas, my friends! I'm holding on tight now to all of these precious last days 'til Christmas. It's a cloudy day with small snowflakes gently falling here in the Midwest, so I'm writing up this post by the warm light of our Christmas tree. A few packages wait below the tree to be unwrapped on Christmas day (as I still have more to wrap!), and space is always left for Santa in front of our fireplace, where the stockings are hung, of course, with care.
While there are still more new Christmas movies to come next week, this weekend is the last significant drop of new ones. A couple days ago, I tried to erase a few I've watched on my DVR and make room for more. Some are easier to delete than others, but I made a little room, and I'm trying really hard not to think too much about the new movies coming soon in the new year. I try to keep my focus on Christmas as long as possible and think of those movies as far off into the distance, so to speak. But alas, the new year and January movies are only a couple of weeks away. Even still, I'm keeping my heart and mind in the present on Christmas day!
See all of the NEW Christmas movies premiering this weekend and more below...
Saturday, December 17, 2022:
Storyline: Stranded in a small town after her car breaks down, Joy meets the charming James, a local trying to save his family’s maple farm.
Premieres Saturday, December 17, 2022
at 7pm/6c. on UPtv
Saturday, December 17, 2022:
Storyline: Two exes finally reconnect when a snowstorm leaves them stranded in a superstore (without cell service or Wi-Fi) just before Christmas.
Premieres Saturday, December 17, 2022
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family
Saturday, December 17, 2022:
Storyline: A former actress trying to break into directing tests her skills with a town’s annual Christmas Eve courtroom production in which the true authorship of the famous poem ‘A Visit from St. Nick’ is debated.
Premieres Saturday, December 17, 2022
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Saturday, December 17, 2022:
Storyline: The second holiday story inspired by Scotty McCreery’s song ‘Five More Minutes,’ a young widow’s Christmas wish for her son is answered in unexpected ways when she returns to their old home for the holidays.
Premieres Saturday, December 17, 2022
at 10pm/9c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Saturday, December 17, 2022:
Storyline: Dating coach and aspiring book author Abigale Slater (Maria Menounos), is close to making her lifelong dream come true. She has completed her first book—a how-to guide for dating in today’s modern world—and is now more than ready to become a published author. However, after reading the book, her publisher Jack won’t proceed with the deal without knowing that her dating advice actually works. Before he has a chance to say no, Abigale proposes that she prove the rules work by using them herself and making a man fall for her by Christmas Eve in 12 days. Although Abigale’s never seen love as a priority for herself, she sets out to find someone who will fall quickly enough to get this book in print. Things change when Abigale meets Michael Ryan (Brent Bailey), and her single-minded mission takes an unexpected turn. While following her own advice, and learning to expect the unexpected in the process, Abigale discovers the romance of her dreams.
Premieres Saturday, December 17, 2022
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
Sunday, December 18, 2022:
Storyline: When a smalltown vintage store owner leaves instructions in her will for inventory to be distributed as Christmas gifts, her out-of-town niece seeks help from a handsome local in identifying recipients from the clues provided.
Premieres Sunday, December 18, 2022
at 7pm/6c. on UPtv
Sunday, December 18, 2022:
*Holiday Special
A heart-warming episodic show that will take viewers to different, picturesque small towns in America, showcasing the unique ways they celebrate Christmas. In each episode, we will highlight the local food, local business, entertainment and festivities that make these towns come to life at Christmas.
*Small Town Christmas: Frostburg, Md.
airs Sunday, December 18, 2022
airs Sunday, December 18, 2022
at 9pm/8c. on UPtv
Sunday, December 18, 2022:
Storyline: Over the week leading up to Christmas, Charlotte tries to capture her own unique style in the local art scene while also helping her mother run the family restaurant. Disheartened and struggling to find time for her art, Charlotte throws out her latest painting, only to discover that it has been anonymously submitted to the Christmas art festival. It turns out that Wyatt, a visiting artist, stumbled upon her discarded work and is now using the festival’s exposure to find its mysterious creator who has stolen his heart with her craft.
Premieres Sunday, December 18, 2022
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family
Sunday, December 18, 2022:
Storyline: A matchmaker connects Molly and Jacob, but their new romance is put to the test when they realize that they are competing deli owners. Will a Hanukkah miracle keep them together?
Premieres Sunday, December 18, 2022
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Sunday, December 18, 2022:
Storyline: A headstrong music manager in desperate need of a hit song for his last remaining client finds himself falling for a gifted singer-songwriter with abandoned dreams of making it big, as he attempts to secure the rights to a Christmas song she wrote years ago.
*Rated PG (Mild Language)
Premieres Sunday, December 18, 2022
at 9pm/8c. on CBS
Sunday, December 18, 2022:
Storyline: Ashley Mackenzie (Brittany Bristow) has always been the preeminent "Christmas Queen" in town. From making hand-crafted decorations for the office to hosting the town’s annual Christmas sweater competition, she loves everything about the holiday...that is, until she meets her match in Ben Williams (Olivier Renaud). Ben is the devilishly handsome new guy in town who loves Christmas just as much as she does—and unwittingly begins to steal her thunder. But as Ashley begins to feel like Ben is taking Christmas away from her, she is reminded of the true spirit of the holiday, and she joins forces with him to make this Christmas even more meaningful.
Premieres Sunday, December 18, 2022
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
I hope you enjoy ALL of the NEW Christmas movies this weekend. And, if any of you happen to be curious about the new movies coming in 2023, see details for each network here: Great American Family, Hallmark, and UPtv.
Blessings to you all as we prepare for Christmas day! We're baking and decorating lots of sugar cookies for Santa this weekend. I'm sure there will be some sampling before Santa receives his, but we will be certain to save him the special ones.
Key Christmas Links:
🌟2022 Christmas Movie Reviews
🌟New Christmas Movies
🌟Christmas Movie Schedule
Disclaimer: Please know when I share a movie, this is NOT an endorsement of any of the actors involved, personally or professionally, with their other TV/film projects.
Please note: I haven't pre-screened the new Christmas movies airing this weekend. If you'd like to post a review on whether a film is family-friendly, please share in comments. Thank you so much to those of you who participate in this.
Have a wonderful, joyful weekend, everyone!
Blessings & Merry Christmas! Net
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son,
and will call Him Immanuel."
~Isaiah 7:14
If you are Keith and Kristyn Getty fans (who isn't!?) go to gettymusic.com to get info on seeing their NYC concert on livestream this Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. It's free!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I haven't heard of them, but I'll be sure to look them up. Thank you for sharing this news with us. :)
Delete'Twas TheNight Before Christmas and The Holiday Dating Guide lare the pick of this bunch for me.
ReplyDeleteFive More Minutes:Moments Like These looks like everything I least like in movies - Florence
Net-
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to you for this wonderful blog. You spread such positive joy - all year long. Also, a note of appreciation to the nice followers of the blog because of their great comments.
I am doing some pre-cooking for Christmas. You are ahead of me on the wrapping.
Best to everyone as we celebrate Christ’s birth.
Merry Christmas!
-Gabe’s Mom
Gabe's Mom, Thank you for this sweet message and for contributing such wonderful Christmas movie reviews throughout the season! I am so blessed to be able to share with such wonderful friends like you!
DeleteHappy baking.... and wrapping, eventually! (I still have more to go, as well!)
God Bless You and a Very Merry Christmas to You and Your Family!!! :)
I absolutely loved the first Five More Minutes (despite shedding a few tears). It was beautiful. Can't wait for the second one
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm very excited about the January ones though I miss the Winter festival theme
How cool they're featuring Frostburg--just a few hours away.
ReplyDeleteI watched Christmas Wish in Hudson last night
ReplyDeleteA woman named Lori takes a shot at love after seeing Patrick Jacobs is a local widowed firefighter & Chef on a cooking show in Hudson whose has a Daughter named Nicole when he meets Lori. Nicole is with Chase. He & his Daughter; Nicole might find love this Christmas.
Christmas Wish in Hudson
December 15, 2022
11pm PT
GAC/GAFAM
On TV soon
All times are in Pacific Time
Tue, 12/20/2022
3 AM
GAC
Yes! I happened to catch A Christmas Wish in Hudson in my TV guide, as well, on Great American Family. For me, it aired at 2am on December 16th.
DeleteAnd, I see the encore time for me, is at 6am EST on Tuesday, Dec 20th
Thank you for sharing. I recorded this when BYU aired it on December 8th, but haven't watched it, yet.
I missed the beginning of the Christmas movie; “A Christmas Wish in Hudson” so, I was setting to record A Christmas Wish in Hudson at 3am in late morning on 12/20/2022
DeleteUnfortunately A Christmas Wish in Hudson is family friendly
With help of Patrick Jacobs Daughter; Nicole to ask her Dad goes after Lori!!!
Which of these movies are you looking for seeing this weekend?
ReplyDeleteFOR NET
ReplyDeleteThe Positiv Network offers older holiday movies right such as the following: The Gift of Christmas, The Perfect Gift (also on Daystar), A Christmas Snow, A Christmas Carol, Christmas Child, Silent Night, Christmas for a Dollar, A Holiday to Remember, & The Christmas Candle. We love Daystar and TBN’s airing of Christian Christmas movies, but this year, EWTN has 2003’s A Time to Remember. I also want to tell you that Amy Grant being honored as part of Kennedy Center Honors will be televised on CBS on 12/28 @ 7 PM on CBS, I know that their standards are probably not exactly the same as ours, but Family Film Awards will be televised on Monday, 12/26/22 @ 7:00 PM,
Thank you for keeping us updated on the Positiv Network. I don't have this channel, but it sounds like they play wonderful Christmas programming. I love the older classics.
DeleteI'm sure this will be very helpful to those here who have this channel. Bless you for sharing... Merry Christmas!!! :)
Thank you for mentioning this Positiv Tv alternative channel. I looked it up and it's free so long as you can somehow watch online. It's on Roku for free so I just downloaded the app on there. I have way too many Verizon Fios cable channels (!!!) plus all the great channels on my FrndlyTv subscription (Dove is included and has some nice, family-friendly programming) but it's always nice to find an alternative place for good programming (especially for free!). So thanks for that info, and Merry Christmas!!
Delete~~Jane
You are very welcome Net and thanks for all you do! Positiv TV is free. https://positiv.tv/faq/ I have their Roku app. I forgot to put the CW network for the Awards show on Monday, 12/26/22 @ 7:00 PM CST. I am most excited about the following, but I just found out about it, and it is TONIGHT (SATURDAY) @ 6 PM CST on Daystar! It is “Kathie Lee Gifford Presents: The Way”. I love that Kathie Lee is using her platform and this time in her life to create Christian programming! Merry Christmas to Net and all of this blog’s followers.
DeleteThank you for the additional information that Positiv TV is FREE through Roku. I have Roku, so I will definitely be checking that out.
DeleteI so appreciate you taking the time to share this news! Again, thank you!!! :)
Jim, You said that so beautifully! We'll hold on tight to Christmas together - now and all year long (in our hearts)!
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to tell you how moved I was by your review of Candace's movie. I read it to my family, as well, and we were all deeply touched.
Blessings and Joy to You!!! Merry Christmas, my dear Friend!!!
Twas the Night Before Christmas is family friendly is based upon the entitled “The Trail Before Christmas” wriiten by Duncan Crary & Jack Casey in Troy NY, the city where 'Night Before Christmas about Madison Rush is a former actress & ready to retire from acting and pursue other creative entertainment industry passions, like directing. So, in an effort to break into that new competitive space, she takes on a Christmas Eve courtroom special. The topic: who really wrote the highly debated, and totally famous, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” poem? It’s a holiday challenge that will reveal whether or not she has what it takes to bring a behind-the-camera vision to life.
ReplyDeleteMadison Rush needs to take charge of a town's annual Christmas Eve courtroom production debating the true authorship of the poem "A Visit from St. Nick".
The Trail Before Christmas is directed by Madison Rush - one night only at 7pm on Christmas Eve.
Madison Rush & Connor Avery meet the spirits of Clement Clarke Moore & Major Henry Livingston Jr..
a former actress, best known for a role she would rather forget, as she tries her luck at directing a play in Troy, New York, hoping to broaden her artistic horizon and change the pace of her rather shallow career. Her casting choices lead her to an old costar, Connor who is struggling to balance time for acting and his young daughter named Josie
“The Night Before Christmas” Hardcover: The Classic Edition was written by Clement C. Moore for Children’s Books .
Connor & Madison hold “Twas the Night Before Christmas” - by Clement C Moore
Aisle be home for Christmas was so amazing!! Plus, there was a sneak preview of the January line up! Here's 2 of the movie titles: Lease on Love (trailer too!) and A Royal in Paradise. -Maria
ReplyDeleteSappy Holiday was pretty nice. -Maria
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. Maria.
DeleteThis is great news - Lease On Love with Dan Jeannotte is a Reel One movie I was hoping to see.
I believe it aired in Canada earlier this year.
Apparently A Royal In Paradise is an Australian production - Florence
What did you think of twas the night before Christmas? What did you think of Five More Minutes: Moments like These?
ReplyDeleteAisle Be Home for Christmas is family friendly is an exceptional movie about 2 exes named Drew Watts & Dr. Michelle Nicholas reconnect when a snowstorm leaves him stranded in superstore called; “Angela’s Super Mart”, (without cell service & Wi-Fi) just before Christmas when snowstorm is over. Angela, Courtney, Michelle, Drew, Richie, & Tristan Havan have hot chocolate, trimming Christmas tree, gingerbread house, etc... Michelle & Drew get some cookies & others. Including Michelle gets Vitange LED Lantern with D battery. Although there’s no D Batteriee at the store. Michelle, Drew, Angela, Tristan, Richie pray before meal during Thanksgiving & Christmas Day while Courtney plays guitar 🎸 with Christmas songs. Michelle finds Robotic Building Kit for Tristan’s Granddaughter with Drew gets for Coach Tristan Havan. Drew & Michelle go to Drew’s Aunt Bev’s place without his Uncle Doug. Drew puts wreath on the door at his Aunt Bev’s house.
ReplyDeleteHanukkah on Rye is family friendly about Molly Spiegelman is the third generation behind the counter of the Gilbert’s Deli family business on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. A matchmaker connects 2 deli owners named Molly & Jacob during Hanukkah 🕎, but their new romance gets put to the test when they realize
ReplyDeletethey’re competing against each other.
When Christmas was Young is family friendly about a headstrong music manager naked Luke in desperate need of a hit song for his last remaining client finds himself falling for a gifted singer-songwriter with abandoned dreams of making it big, as he attempts to secure the rights to a Christmas song she wrote years ago.
ReplyDeleteA music manager named Lucas in desperate need of a hit song for his last remaining client, who finds himself falling for a gifted singer-songwriter named Molly Douglass with abandoned dreams of making it big, as he attempts to secure the rights to a Christmas song she wrote years ago.
In desperate need of a hit song, a headstrong music manager finds himself falling for a gifted singer-writer who abandoned her dreams of making it big.
Anonymous, you had me chuckling...after reading Marie's comment about this being a nice and clean movie, I saw your comment in the first paragraph about "naked Luke"! It had me wondering...! But obviously you meant "named Luke". A fun mistake!
DeleteIt’s actually name is Luke as in Luke Dawson Is a music manager who finds himself fall for singer named Melody Douglass
DeleteMelody wrote “When Christmas was Young”, for her Mom when she record it
Lindsay Wyatt wants to sing “When Christmas was Young”, for Christmas Benefit on Christmas Eve
Luke begs Lindsay to sing a duet with Melody “When Christmas Was Young”, at concert
When Christmas was Young was very nice (and clean!). -Maria
ReplyDelete'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
ReplyDeleteFamily friendly. I thought this was a really exciting movie to watch. I loved the chemistry between the two leads. Torrey DeVitto and Zane Holtz were both wonderful individually, and together as a couple. I like the unique storyline. I truly didn't know what to expect, and that's something that doesn't happen often in Hallmark movies. ****SPOILER ALERT**** I have to say the ending was quite unsatisfying and puzzling to me when Mr Livingston didn't show up at the trial. Maybe i just didn't understand the whole history behind it. It still didn't take away the fact that this was a good and very enjoyable movie.
WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
Family friendly. I enjoyed this one. This was about an unlikely bond formed between neighbors. I just loved the message so much. To build a connection, we must be vulnerable and let people in. The little boy who played Gavin was excellent. I could really feel his grief and it broke my heart. I also really like Ms Irene's character and I could just feel the joy that radiated within her, and how perfect she was to be in Julie and Gavin's life. This movie was not centered in the romance aspect, but I didn't mind it.
IN MERRY MEASURE
This was sweet and fun to watch. Brendan Penny was quite hilarious especially in the beginning, when the rivalry between him and the female lead was strong. The female lead was new to me but she was down to earth and relatable. The acapella performances were all quite a treat to watch. I enjoyed this one.
A Brush with Christmas was very nice! I'm very grateful for this 2nd year of Great American Christmas, and I look forward to see what they do next year! -Maria
ReplyDeleteA Brush With Christmas Is family friendly about Disheartened & struggling to find time for her art, Charlotte throws out her latest painting, only to discover that it has been anonymously submitted to the Christmas art festival Charlotte works at her family restaurant & she’s an artist. She allows her painting 🖼 at art gallery. When Charlotte meets Wyatt is also an artist just like Charlie!!!
ReplyDeleteFive More Minutes: Moments Like These is family friendly about a youngwidower Kaitlin returns to her home for the holidays. Her Christmas’s wish for her Son named Adam gets answered in unexpected ways. Adam meets boy thru teenager boy who claimed to be his decreased Dad named Brian. Adam meets Skye & Caitlin meets Matthew Jamieson. Nikki DeLoach portrayed same character from first film as Clara
ReplyDeleteFive More Minutes: Moments Like These was my favorite movie for the weekend. I loved it! It was a wonderful story. Enjoyed seeing Lucas Bryant again. A keeper for me.
ReplyDeleteAn Eclectic Christmas is clean and quite intriguing! -Maria
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, everyone!!! I hope all are having a lovely time preparing to celebrate with family and friends! My Christmas got started early with a surprise visit from a dear friend! Because of that, I haven't seen any of this weekend's movies but will have time later this week to watch and review one if still needed. I'm looking forward to seeing those that already got good reviews, too! :-)
ReplyDelete~Alicia
The Holiday Dating Guide. I rather liked this one. Borderline keeper until I need room on the dvr. Family friendly (the lead actress's bff/roommate is probably gay but there is nothing inappropriate said/done).
ReplyDelete~~Jane
Wrapped Up in Love. Cute, sweet, traditional movie. At first I was going to delete because the lead actress was TOO bubbly and perfect and the lead actor was a bit too cold, but I kept going and quite enjoyed it. Nothing unique, and perhaps not the best chemistry between the leads, but it was comforting to watch a "traditional" sappy Christmas movie with some warm decorations and a nice family feeling. Good for a one-time watch. Family friendly.
ReplyDelete~~Jane
Hanukkah on Rye. Loved, loved, loved!! Definitely in my top 5 movies of the season (of course, I've got a lot more movies on the dvr, including most of the GAF ones, but I think this one will hold up as a favorite). Romantic, funny, family oriented, great ensemble cast - what's not to like? Family friendly.
ReplyDelete~~Jane
Review: A Brush With Christmas -
ReplyDeleteFamily-friendly? Yes -
Keeper? Nope -
I was intrigued with the opening credits when I saw that Robin Dunne was the producer and director of this movie. Robin was the lead actor in a couple of my all-time favorite Hallmark movies some years ago - On the 12th Day of Christmas and Sound of Christmas - and I thought he was excellent. So I figured that if he's directing, he would have the actors do a great job. Not the case! While the two main ladies were fine (one of whom is Robin's wife and who co-starred in Sound of Christmas), the two main guys were sooooo bad that it took away any sense of reality. A lot of the dialogue was pretty lame as well. A skipper for sure!
FIVE MORE MINUTES: A MOMENT LIKE THIS
ReplyDeleteAlthough some of the details doesn’t make sense to me, this was enjoyable to watch, and a huge part of it is because of Lucas Bryant. The way he portrayed his character was just wonderful and charming. I haven’t always been an Ashley Williams fan but she was okay and likable enough in this movie. I might be missing it or not understanding the movie correctly, but I don’t understand how Ashley’s character was able to “get” right away all the signs and connected it to photos found in the attic, while all the signs were shown to Adam and experienced by Adam her son, not her. It was still a good movie to watch, and it was family friendly.
A BRUSH WITH CHRISTMAS
Family friendly. This was alright for me. I wanted to love it so bad. I really like Jillian Murray and she was actually great in this, but the rest of the movie was not really that great. I love art and have a degree in Fine Art, and the brush vs pencil thing just doesn’t quite make sense to me. When you paint, don’t you need to sketch with pencil too? I’m also not a big fan of the mom. Although she did make it up in the end, for the most part she just didn’t seem sincere and warm to me, and she came across as selfish, more like a boss not a mom. The dialogues between the two leads were way too cheesy for my taste. The whole thing was just meh.. to me.
So after watching many GAC movies after movies, I hate to say that although I love what the GAC network stands for, many of them are just lacking in finesse and left much to be desired. A lot of them are very cookie cutter, forgettable, and dare I say it… boring. I know this is going to be unpopular opinion as many of the regular commenters here seem to be very pro GAC and love many GAC movies… and that’s okay, we can agree to disagree :) I am still pro GAC also and I believe in them. I do really hope that GAC movies will get better in the coming year. They are just getting started.
CH Mom, I have only watched one GAC movie this season (the first one) and it was cute; so, I can't really comment on this season's slate of movies. However, based on last year's movies I totally agree with what you said. I'm a big fan of the new network and their focus on providing a family-friendly alternative to Hallmark, but I just hope they up their game as they get all the new fidgets out. Just wanted you to know you are not alone in your "unpopular" opinion. (And thank you for all your great reviews!! I find I quite often agree with you.)
Delete~~Jane
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I have been enjoying your reviews as well! I am so thankful to have the Reviews page in this site to go to, before deciding on watching anything. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you, Jane!
DeleteCH Mom, I agree with everything that you have said regarding the GAC movies this year. While (of course) all of them were family friendly, I was disappointed with most of them. They were, as you said, cookie-cutter, with uninteresting plots. Also many of them had poor acting or a lack of chemistry between the leads. I was hoping for a better quality of movies from GAC, but it just didn't happen. In fact, I just reviewed my list, and only 4 of them are keepers for me. (I actually have more keepers from Hallmark.) I also heard that the GAC ratings were very low, lower than Lifetime's. It seemed to me that Hallmark upped their quality this year; I fear GAC needs to do the same.
DeleteI hesitate to say too much adverse about GAF because I know how Net and so many here are massive fans of the Channel.
DeleteI can only say I agree wholeheartedly with CH Mom, Jane and Mark 25 and without labouring the point a lot of their movies are just dull.
I appreciate what they are trying to do with their focus on family entertainment and while most of their movies are reasonably enjoyable they have yet to hit their stride and produce that blockbuster.
If it hadn't been for the ditzy friend in A Christmas Miracle For Daisy last year it could have been it.
I would say that it will take some time to build their viewing figures up - hope they can survive until they do.
Take Jill Wagner for example, her movie with Cameron Mathison which got great reviews here was imo perfectly watchable and enjoyable but it lacked that vital spark and there wasn'r the chemistry she had with say Wes Brown or Colin Egglesfield or even with Nick Bateman last year.
I was interested to hear what Mark 25 had to say about the viewing figures - I;d kove to see just what they were.
I have the same fears as Mark 25 - I hope they are unfounded.
Florence
Hanukkah on Rye - This movie was one of the best holiday movies of the season on Hallmark Channel. It was family-friendly, funny, engaging, and rich in Jewish culture and tradition. I watched it with my mom and teenage daughter, and we all enjoyed it. Maybe it is because Hallmark only does one Hanukkah movie a year versus more 30-40 new Christmas ones, but their annual Hanukkah movie is usually better and more creative than at least 1/2-2/3 of their Christmas ones.
ReplyDelete