Its a Wonderful Movie - Your Guide to Family and Christmas Movies on TV: Jen Lilley

Friday, July 24, 2026

🎄The Final Christmas in July Weekend Is Here! Plus, New Mystery - Get The Scoop:

Happy Weekend, Friends!

This weekend is extra special because it's the final weekend of Christmas in July - plus Saturday, July 25th, marks just five months until Christmas! That means we're officially getting even closer to the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate than by cozying up with some of our festive favorites on Great American Family and the Hallmark Channel?

The Hallmark Channel also has the cable premiere of Love Under the Mistletoe, starring Jen Lilley and Nick Bateman, airing Saturday night! I've seen this movie and can tell you... it is lighthearted, family-friendly, and very sweet! Plus, during this premiere, be sure to look for a sneak peek of a new Countdown to Christmas movie... Christmas Delivered, starring Wes Brown and Autumn Reeser.

Then on Sunday evening, it's time for another episode of Blue Ridge. Episode 2 involves a mystery within the racing industry and features a guest appearance by Eric Close. I'm sure there will be plenty of suspense and plot twists.

And by the way, if you missed the first exciting episode of Blue Ridge season 2, which starred Sarah Drew, you can watch that for free on YouTube. (For those of you who love Sarah Drew in Mistletoe Murders, you'll definitely want to check that out.)

Take a detailed look at this weekend's schedule below...

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Saturday, July 25 - Sunday, July 26, 2026:

Christmas Movie Classics

Catch these Christmas movie classics airing this weekend...

Saturday:

Oy to the World ... Hallmark Channel ... 6am
Catering Christmas ... Great American Family ... 8am
Next Stop, Christmas ... Hallmark Channel ... 8am
Christmas Next Door ... Hallmark Channel ... 10am
A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas ... Hallmark Channel ... 12pm
Christmas on Every Page ... Great American Family ... 12pm
On the 12th Date of Christmas ... Hallmark Channel ... 2pm
A Christmas Prayer ... Great American Family ... 2pm
Single on the 25th ... Hallmark Channel ... 4pm
A Christmas Miracle for Daisy ... Great American Family ... 4pm
The Christmas Secret ... Hallmark Channel ... 6pm
Let it Snow ... Great American Family ... 6pm
Once Upon a Christmas Wish ... Great American Family ... 8pm
O Little Christmas Market ... Hallmark Channel ... 10pm
A Christmas Blessing ... Great American Family ... 10pm

Sunday:

A Dash of Christmas ... Great American Family ... 12am
Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas ... Hallmark Channel ... 12am
Once Upon a Christmas Miracle ... Hallmark Channel ... 2am
Royally Wrapped for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 4am
Five Star Christmas ... Hallmark Channel ... 8am
A Christmas... Present ... Great American Family ... 10am
Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story ... Hallmark Channel ... 12pm
Have We Met This Christmas? ... Great American Family ... 12pm
Five More Minutes ... Hallmark Channel ... 2pm
Twas the Text Before Christmas ... Great American Family ... 2pm
Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe ... Hallmark Channel ... 4pm
Pencil Me in for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 4pm
A Royal Date for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 6pm
A Veteran's Christmas ... Hallmark Channel ... 8pm
Bringing Christmas Home ... Great American Family ... 10pm
Crown for Christmas ... Hallmark Channel ... 10pm

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Saturday, July 25, 2026:

Love Under the Mistletoe

Interior designer Grace (Lilley) runs a business with her best friend and her brother in the quaint town of Ivy Glen but is too busy for a real relationship. Ryan (Bateman), a successful New York City financial advisor and Grace’s former high school crush, returns home planning to sell his grandmother’s historic St. Nicholas House. The mayor convinces him to revive the beloved Ribbons & Bows charity fundraiser and brings Grace on board to help. Working side by side to pull the event together, the former couple reminisces and feelings they once shared slowly resurface. But will this yuletide reunion lead to love under the mistletoe?

Love Under the Mistletoe

Premieres Saturday, July 25, 2026

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

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Sunday, July 26, 2026:

Blue Ridge

Season 2, Episode 2

Episode 2: “Going Around in Circles”

When a member of the Hughes racing dynasty ends up dead, it's up to Sheriff Justin Wise to solve the case involving rivals, lovers, and family secrets.

Guest starring in this episode: Eric Close.

Blue Ridge

Season 2, Episode 2

Premieres Sunday, July 26, 2026

at 10pm/9c. on INSP

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Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Hope you are able to enjoy some of the fantastic Christmas in July movies + Blue Ridge! I'm already set to record!

With July coming to an end, I feel like these warm Summer days are dwindling down quickly. I'm going to enjoy a local festival with my family this weekend, and I hope you all will enjoy some time outdoors, too!

Happy watching, everyone! And if you'd like to share a review - please do so in comments. We love hearing from you!

Merry Christmas in July!!!🎄

Blessings to you all,

Net

SHINING HIS LIGHT

I will listen to what God the Lord says;

he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—

but let them not turn to folly.

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

that his glory may dwell in our land.

Love and faithfulness meet together;

righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,

and righteousness looks down from heaven.

~Psalm 85:8-11

Friday, May 29, 2026

🎄✨ Hallmark Channel's Christmas in July 2026 New Movie Schedule -- See Here:

Christmas in July 2026 is Coming to the Hallmark Channel - from June 26th to July 31st!

The network will premiere a new holiday movie every Saturday, beginning on July 4th!

Note: Two of the movies below, CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION and LOVE UNDER THE MISTLETOE, have previously aired via streaming under different titles, but the other two are new premieres.

See details below...

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CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

(previously known as: Renovation Romance)

Saturday, July 4, 8 pm ET/PT

Stars: Jessica Lowndes and Daniel Lissing

Chelsea (Lowndes) and Jake (Adam Hurtig, A Suite Holiday Romance) are America’s sweethearts and the stars of a hit reality show, Renovation Romance, where they help couples transform their homes and relationships. For a live Christmas special, they’re tasked with renovating a cozy New Hampshire cabin alongside a new duo, Cooper (Lissing) and Janice (Samantha Kendrick, The Snow Must Go On). But behind the festive cheer, Chelsea and Jake’s relationship is fading. As their latest project progresses, it becomes clear to Chelsea that she and Jake have different priorities in life and must decide if their relationship can be salvaged or if it’s time for a fresh start.

Movie Reviews for CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION (Renovation Romance):

🎄 Renovation Romance - Just wanted to let y’all know that a new Christmas movie with Jessica Lowndes and Daniel Lissing called Renovation Romance is now on Hulu. It was really cute!

A heads up that both of them have significant others when they start the movie because I know that can bother some people with storylines like that. But I do feel that the breakups are very interesting and the communication is rather profound during those scenes so I feel like it was surprisingly handled pretty well. Even though I don’t mind those storylines usually I was a bit nervous at how they were going to handle it considering it was going to be two relationships ending. It was so good to see Jessica Lowndes and Daniel Lissing together again! I loved them together in A December Bride and watch it a couple times each Christmas season because it makes me smile so it made me really happy to see them together again in a new movie. They really have great chemistry together!

While it was clean, they are working with couples who aren’t necessarily married yet that are renovating homes (at least in the opening scene and in the relationship between Daniel Lissing and his significant other) it is never implied that they live together. Really enjoyed the movie! ~Sara S.

🎄 Renovation Romance – (watched this through Hulu) This movie was nice, but not very Christmassy. I mean, they didn’t even put anything Christmas related in the title. Minus the Christmas decor, it felt like it could’ve taken place almost any time of the year.

We first meet Chelsea (Jessica Lowdnes) & Jake (Adam Hurtig) who host their own TV show where they renovate homes and they are a real-life couple. Basically, they are like Chip and Joana Gaines, except Chelsea and Jake aren’t married.

Chelsea is feeling the need for a break from work, but her boyfriend, Jake, persuades her to take on one last project during the Christmas season that could elevate their careers to new levels. The house they choose to renovate is owned by Daniel Lissing’s character, Cooper. It’s already stunning in its structure and beautifully decorated for the holidays, making the idea of renovating and redecorating seem unnecessary. Honestly, I didn’t notice any significant alterations, perhaps just an additional Christmas tree or some garland, but nothing too drastic.

As Sara S. pointed out (in her review above), the opening scene subtly indicates that the couple, for whom Chelsea and Jake are decorating and renovating a home, is living together, so there are both pros and cons with this movie.

The cons... Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lowdes’ characters are both involved in long-term relationships with other people when they meet; however, it's clear that both couples are facing challenges. Honestly, watching the two couples struggle with their relationships felt a bit exhausting throughout the film. Aside from the Christmas decorations, the story didn't really capture the essence of the holiday season for me.

The pros... Renovation Romance is lighthearted and family-friendly, and it was enjoyable to see Jessica and Daniel share the screen again, especially after their previous film, A December Bride, which coincidentally also revolves around Christmas home décor. ~Net

🎄 Christmas Under Construction is cute. -Maria

🎄 Christmas Under Construction was just ok for me. One time watch. ~Joyce in Carolina

🎄 Review: Christmas Under Construction -
Family-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Another one-time watch, maybe -

It is good to see Jessica and Daniel together again in a movie, since they were a great pairing in A December Bride. Unfortunately, this one misses the mark. Problems with the two stars' relationships with their partners have already been pointed out, but for me the main problem is Daniel and Jessica's chemistry. Not a lack of it, but the intensity of it! (It is obvious that these two really enjoy working with each other and playing off each other.) So when the producer is filming the two of them for the TV show, their attraction is soooo obvious, there is no way a producer would allow that to be shown, since it would defeat the purpose of the show (helping Daniel and his partner's relationship). Instead, this producer goes, "Good chemistry, you guys!" Anyway, it is worth watching Jessica and Daniel together again, but the storyline is problematic. –Mark 25

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O LITTLE CHRISTMAS MARKET

Saturday, July 11, 8 pm ET/PT

Stars: Katherine Barrell and Stephen Huszar

Olivia (Barrell) is a gifted miniature artist who has devoted her heart to the town’s Christmas market, a tradition started by her late father. When a corporate developer plans to tear it down, she risks losing the legacy she holds dear. A chance meeting at a train station with Grayson (Huszar), a talented yet unfulfilled architect, sparks an unexpected connection. Their bond is tested when Olivia learns his firm is behind the buyout. As Christmas draws near Olivia rallies the community to save the market after securing a delay to the final decision. Amid the holiday magic, Grayson and Olivia’s romance blossoms despite being on seemingly opposite sides of the deal. Together, they must find a way to merge their dreams and save the market, discovering that in order to endure love – like art – requires taking a leap of faith.

Movie Reviews:

🎄 O Little Christmas Market is family friendly, and meh. -Maria

🎄 Review: O Little Christmas Market -
Family-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Well, it's not THAT bad -

Okay, if you read the synopsis above, yes, how many times have we seen a storyline similar to this? (Too many!) And indeed this movie has the usual "Hallmark Christmas tropes" (chance meetings, hands accidentally touching, and so forth). And yet...this movie drew me in because of the acting of Katherine and Stephen, and the chemistry between the two. So I am on the fence with this one. Would I watch it again? Maybe, maybe not. Do I recommend it? If you are looking for something really original, no. If you don't mind watching a rehashed plot with good acting, then yes. Is it as bad as some reviewers have said? No. Your call. –Mark 25

🎄 I actually liked O Little Christmas Market but was starting to think I must have missed something based on some reviews here! I thought it was sweet and the acting was good, really liked the leads and I appreciated their relationships with their parents. I guess I was also a bit impressed by the cute little miniatures! The storyline was rather predictable of course, but not as much as some! ~Lizzy

🎄 Last weeks Oh Christmas Market, was pretty dumb. While I loved the 2 leads and thought they were great together and apart, the rest of the movie was so overdone and made no sense. How a man has all of his money tied up in a lot that was given to him for free I will never know. And of course he had to sell, and how on earth do they save this place for 4 vendors that supposedly make their yearly money in December, selling things like honey and fudge???????????? And everything rode on shipping the shipping containers, I mean those things need to be transformed and its more than the free paint people would donate. Plain dumb and overdone.

If the guy wanted to sell the property cause he was older and wanted money to retire on, then say that. Not all his money was tied up in a vacant lot with people selling their yearly salary in december. And please explain to me how Kat Barrell is going to seriously, make a living selling miniature Christmas villages?????? But, I loved SH and KB each and together. Her friend, literally wore a turtle neck half of the movie, then suddenly wore something else. Found that weird.

And really, they spent years trying to untangle that reindeer???????????????????? Seriously. It wasn't even lights, it was like 2 parts. Just dumb. ~Sabrina

🎄 O Little Christmas Market - This is one of those movies that was pleasant enough, but that’s basically it. The opening actually reminded me a little of We Met in December. In both films, two people meet, share an instant connection, but never exchange full names - and then there's a phone number that's left behind in a note that never makes it to the intended person.

Thankfully, this story doesn't keep us waiting nearly two hours for the couple to find each other again! Katherine and Stephen have a sweet, natural chemistry, and the movie is lighthearted, wholesome, and cozy.

That said, I wasn't completely sold on the storage unit storyline, and the "save the Christmas market" plot felt like it lingered a bit too long. Even so, it's an enjoyable enough one-time Christmas in July watch with a few charming moments along the way. ~Net

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SNOWBOUND FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Saturday, July 18, 8 pm ET/PT

Stars: Vanessa Lengies and Marcus Rosner

Cassidy Evergreen (Lengies) is an ambitious guest services manager at her family’s boutique hotel company who is determined to prove she’s ready for the next step in her career. Her mother – and boss – Joanne (Kathryn Greenwood, Ghosts), sends her to Ridgeford Valley to evaluate the future of the charming but struggling Linden Lodge. Upon arriving, she meets Trey Sanderson (Rosner), the lodge’s devoted co-owner who is doing everything he can to preserve it. Alongside his spirited daughter, Lilly (Skywalker Hughes, Joe Pickett), Trey is working tirelessly to keep the lodge’s beloved holiday traditions alive, including the town’s annual Christmas Festival. As Cassidy becomes part of the festivities – from untangling Christmas lights and snow tubing adventures to helping Lilly sell holiday wish lanterns for charity – she begins to discover the magic that makes Linden Lodge so special. Along the way, Cassidy finds herself drawn to Trey, Lilly and the close-knit community that gathers there each Christmas season. But when outside pressures threaten the future of the lodge, Cassidy must decide what truly matters most.

Movie Reviews:

🎄 Snowbound for the Holidays is family friendly and charming. -Maria

🎄 I did enjoy Snowbound for the Holidays. It was real snow and very good. ~Sabrina

🎄 Review: Snowbound for the Holidays -
Family-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Another "One-time Watch" -

I dunno...maybe it's me...maybe because I've seen soooo many Hallmark, etc. Christmas movies over the years, I'm at a point where it is going to take something really good...really special...really original...to get me to recommend a movie. Because for me, all of the movies that have premiered so far (Christmas Under Construction, The Trouble with Christmas Mistletoe, O Little Christmas Market, and this one, Snowbound for the Holidays) have been, well, okay. Not bad, but not great, not even very good. Maybe worth a one-time watch, but nothing more.

Here, we have good acting by Venessa and Marcus, although I didn't get a sense of strong chemistry between the two (and they could have played out a connection between his dad and her mother much more than they did). But once again we have a very standardized or cookie-cutter plot, with all of the scenes being very formulaic. You pretty much know what's going to happen, and more than once I rolled my eyes thinking, "of course this was going to take place". (SPOILER: The ending with her on the slopes was predictable, but so over-the-top and ridiculous!)

Well, maybe they're saving the really good ones for Countdown to Christmas later in the year. But so far, we're not off to the greatest of starts. Or again, maybe it's just me... Mark 25

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LOVE UNDER THE MISTLETOE

(Previously known as: Operation Mistletoe)

Saturday, July 25, 8 pm ET/PT

Stars: Jen Lilley and Nick Bateman

Interior designer Grace (Lilley) runs a business with her best friend and her brother in the quaint town of Ivy Glen but is too busy for a real relationship. Ryan (Bateman), a successful New York City financial advisor and Grace’s former high school crush, returns home planning to sell his grandmother’s historic St. Nicholas House. The mayor convinces him to revive the beloved Ribbons & Bows charity fundraiser and brings Grace on board to help. Working side by side to pull the event together, the former couple reminisces and feelings they once shared slowly resurface. But will this yuletide reunion lead to love under the mistletoe?

Movie Reviews for LOVE UNDER THE MISTLETOE (Operation Mistletoe):

🎄 Operation Mistletoe (2024) is family friendly about when Grace’s former classmate & (crush) Ryan St. Nicholas arrives home for Christmas, Grace’s best friend initiates “Operation Mistletoe” to search for mistletoe. Ryan isn’t selling St. Nicholas’ House to keep his family legacy that belong to his Grandma’s. Ribbons & Bows Christmas Fundraiser with help from Jack & Olivia. Mayor Sami Hoffman & her Husband. Olivia gives Grace a mistletoe. Grace has a mistletoe while Ryan holds mistletoe from Grace as they kissed under the mistletoe. Jack & Olivia go outside. It’s available on Hulu via Disney+ ~Anonymous

🎄 Thank you for sharing about this movie! I just watched it and it was so cute! It stars Jen Lilley and Nick Bateman. They had great chemistry together and the supporting cast was great especially her best friend and brother who are married. Very cute and fun! It’s available on Hulu. ~Sara S.

🎄 “Operation Mistletoe” – This movie disappointed us. We normally enjoy anything Jen is in but not this one. We did not finish the movie. ~Joan

🎄 Operation Mistletoe - Did anyone find that the audio was poor? At times, the speech seemed jumbled. Jen’s speech also seemed to be sped up. Despite using CC, this really affected how I could listen. It is a shame too because it was cute. ~Anonymous

🎄 Operation Mistletoe. This one didn’t make my Bells on Bob-tail ring. If you’re going to make an unoriginal, cookie-cutter Christmas movie, it needs something to stand out and make it special – some sort of spark or warmth or humor or meat on it’s bones. But this one felt lame and rather B-list low-budget, with uninspired writing/directing/producing, along with annoying background music and sound issues. Other than Jen Lilley, the actors were either flat or over-the-top annoying. There was no chemistry between Jen and Nick (all that plethora of ridiculous mistletoe just wasn’t working for these two!!); and, for me, Nick is just too stiff and awkward (and he seriously needs a new hair stylist!!). I love Jen Lilley but even she couldn’t save this one. I quit at the two-thirds point but it was family friendly up until then. ~~Jane (aka Much Mistletoeing)

🎄 Operation Mistletoe - Finally got around to watching this, and it was so sweet! -Maria

🎄 Operation Mistletoe - This is such a sweet, lighthearted movie. I really enjoyed the brother and his wife... they are super cute. Jen and Nick are fun, too, but I didn't feel much chemistry with their characters. Overall, though, it's still a delightful watch. ~Net

🎄 Review: Love Under the Mistletoe -
Family-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Unfortunately no -

In an earlier review, I said that the first four premiers this July were just okay and maybe worth a one-time watch. I was hoping that this movie would change that and that I could highly recommend it. Unfortunately, it goes in the other direction. It's not even worth a one-time watch.

The problems? Well...

* As much as I adore Jen Lilley as a very caring person, she still talks way too fast, and imho is not one of the better Hallmark actresses.
* In fact, I found the acting by all four of the main characters to be sub-par.
* Another unoriginal plot of someone coming home to save (fill-in-the-blank).
* And really, an adult trying to get a couple together by...planting mistletoe all over town? A very childish move!
* I found the sister-in-law annoying (the mistletoe thing didn't help) and her husband, well, let's just go with weak.
* And did anyone else find NIck's hairstyle, um, weird?

This movie was so slow-moving, I kept looking at the clock going, how much longer? I couldn't wait for it to end! (And maybe part of the problem was I watched the fast-moving, fun-loving movie The Santa Summit as my "25th" movie, and that one I never want to end!) Anyway, I agree with Net that it is a sweet movie, but I still recommend skipping it. ~Mark 25

🎄 Under the Mistletoe-I love Jen Lilley as a person and think she's beautiful inside and out, but, I got a little tired of this one. I did not sense chemistry between the 2 leads at all, and I felt like Jen's character was just too happy all the time. I would love to see her play a role with more depth of emotions.

Also, the mistletoe popping up everywhere kind of got old for me. Not a bad movie, don't mean to sound too negative--I always appreciate a clean and sweet one, just not one I'd watch again. ~Lizzy R.

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Stay tuned for more details on Christmas in July, and I'll have more updates coming to the Christmas Schedule!

If you've seen CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION and LOVE UNDER THE MISTLETOE, please share your reviews in comments below.

Have a Merry Day,

Net 🎄

Friday, May 1, 2026

Did You Miss America Reads the Bible or Want to Relive the Blessing — See Details Here:

Last week, the America Reads the Bible event unfolded in a truly beautiful way in Washington, D.C., as nearly 500 voices came together at the Museum of the Bible to read God’s Holy Word aloud.

It was a powerful and uplifting week, bringing together people from all walks of life... pastors and ministry leaders, current and former politicians, actors and actresses, Christian musicians and worship leaders, and so many others, all united in sharing the truth and light of Scripture.

It was especially meaningful to see familiar faces from Great American Family, the Hallmark Channel, and other networks take part, using their voices to honor the Lord. I so enjoyed every moment I was able to watch, along with my family, but of course we were in and out during the week - with work, errands, etc... so it's been nice to go back and catch any of the ones we missed.

If you happened to miss any of this inspiring event and would like to see it for yourself, you can watch it FREE through Great American Pure Flix - click here to watch.

What a blessing it was to see God’s Word proclaimed so boldly; I pray it blesses you as it has me and so many others who watched throughout the week!