These synopses were put together with the help of information from the official Hallmark Channel website which includes trailers, plot descriptions, behind the scenes and much other extra information on each film.
- Crown for Christmas
Danica McKellar and Rupert Penry-Jones team up in Hallmark’s original Christmas film, “Crown For Christmas.” McKellar portrays Allie, a recently unemployed New York City woman, who used to work for a fancy hotel maid service. To help rush the process of her getting another job, she goes to a temp agency, hoping to find work sooner than later. Her temp agency assigns her as a governess to a young girl, who happens to be the daughter of a very powerful family in Europe. After moving into the family’s castle, she learns that the young girl, Theodora, is a princess. She also discovers that Penry-Jones’ character is the King of Winshire. As a forewarning, the king tells Allie that Theodora acts out against authority figures since the death of her mother. However, the opposite occurs, and the princess and governess get along right away, and they are not the only ones who hit it off. Allie and Maximillian hit off their relationship with sparks, igniting a could-be relationship. The only problem is that there is also another woman in the picture who is lined up to marry him. Who will Maximillian choose? Allie, the poor governess who has a good relationship with his daughter? Or Countess Celia, who comes from the same economic class and understand his royal issues?
- Christmas Getaway
“Christmas Getaway” stars Bridget Regan and Travis Van Winkle, in this romantic Christmas film they play each other’s love interest. Regan’s character, Emory Blake, recently booked a Christmas getaway with her boyfriend. However, when they break up unexpectantly, she finds
herself going on the vacation alone. Coincidently, Winkle’s character, Scott Hays, also has the same trip location planned at the same time. Upon arrival, they realize that the hotel has double-booked the pair, causing conflict. Scott also happens to be traveling with his daughter and mother, as he is a widower. Even though this begins as a hassle for Emory, as she went on the vacation to relax and take the time to write, she finds herself enjoying the company of the trio. She especially begins to like the company of Scott; their relationship soon becoming a blossoming possibility of a new romance.
- Christmas at Holly Lodge
Alison Sweeney stars in the Christmas film, “Christmas At Holly Lodge.” She portrays Sophie Bennett, Holly Lodge owner who is determined to keep her lodge in business. Sophie runs into a complication when Evan Hunter, portrayed by actor Jordan Bridges, is sent by a large and important developer who is out to invest in the lodge for reasons not beneficial to Sophie. He goes to Holly Lodge to evaluate the value of the property and report back to his upper authorities. However, he instantly sparks a relationship with Sophie, causing conflict for both parties. Sophie must convince Evan that the lodge is not investment worthy, and he must resist the urge to let his feelings get in the way of reporting back information about the lodge. Will they let this complication get in the way of their budding love?
4. Enchanted
Christmas
What is more romantic than two love interests who are real-life husband and wife? Nothing! Carlos PenaVega and Alexa Penavega play in the Hallmark original film, “Enchanted Christmas.” The film portrays Laura Trudeau, Mrs. PenaVega, as an interior designer who returns to her hometown in Utah to renovate an old hotel. She is renovating the hotel for the annual Christmas Eve show, which is a big deal for the locals. The Christmas Eve show is run by Ricardo Archuleta, Mr. Penavega, who also happens to have a romantic history with Laura. Laura and Ricardo not only used-to-be boyfriend and girlfriend but dance partners as well.
Throughout the film, Laura has to juggle her complicated feelings for Ricardo, family drama and her busy career schedule.
“Christmas in Love” aired Saturday, Nov. 10, as part of the Countdown to Christmas; it stars Brooke D’Orsay and Daniel Lissing. @hallmarkchannel
5. A Royal Christmas
Lacey Chabert plays Emily Corrigan in “A Royal Christmas,” alongside Stephen Hagan, portraying Prince Leopold. Emily is a middle-class worker from Philadelphia. Emily is very proud of where she comes from; she works as a seamstress at her family’s local business and loves her life. She has a boyfriend and is in love with him, seeing them having a beautiful life together in their small town. However, all is derailed when Leo reveals he is actually a Prince, next in line to take the throne. He is Prince Leo from Cordinia, a small country located in Europe. Emily and Leo decide to travel to Cordinia to introduce her to the family. Even though Leo is in love, his mother is not thrilled that he is dating a working-class woman. Because of this disappointment, Queen Isadora does everything in her power to make it known to Emily she is not welcome into the family, all along secretly wanting Leo to get back with his ex-girlfriend, Duchess Natasha. During all of the negativity toward her from the Queen, Emily finds comfort in the castle’s cleaning and service staff, as they welcome her with open arms. Will Emily let the pressure of not fitting in with the Royals get in the way of her relationship with Leo? Or will she get through and show her possible future mother-in-law that she deserves to be with the prince?
- Sleigh Bells Ring
Erin Cahill plays Pauline with co-star David Alpay, who plays Alex, in the Christmas movie, “Sleigh Bells Ring.” Pauline is a recently divorced, single mother who is having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. Things start to turn around, though, when she begins to help plan out her town’s Christmas parade and comes across a magical sleigh. The sleigh seems to make magical things happen, including connecting Pauline with a woodworker in town. Alex, the woodworker, becomes Pauline’s happiness for the holidays and helps her get out of the funk of not being in the Christmas spirit.
- A Wish for
Christmas
“A Wish for Christmas” stars Lacey Chabert and Paul Greene, a drama-filled Christmas movie. Lacey Chabert plays Sara Shaw, a shy and innovative woman who doesn’t like a lot of attention on her. However, when an important idea for a Christmas event is stolen, she can’t stay quiet anymore. In the beginning, she wants to gain the courage to speak her mind. At a Christmas special, she meets Santa, and he asks her if she could wish for anything, what would it be? She tells him she would wish for courage and not to let others treat her like a pushover anymore. Santa decides to grant Sara her wish, but she only has two full days with her new-found courage. Throughout the film, Sara learns how to speak up for herself and get into the Christmas spirit.
8. Christmas List
Hallmark original film, “Christmas List” is based on a novel called “The Christmas Bucket List,” written by Ella Fairlie. The film depicts Alicia Witt as Isobel, a Christmas lover who dreams of the perfect Christmas season with her boyfriend. Isobel creates a Christmas bucket list full of classic traditions based off a list she finds from when she was younger of Christmas things she wanted to do. Her boyfriend, however, seems to be uninterested and is not there for her. Since she never got to do them when she was younger, she decides to put the list into action finally even if her boyfriend won’t. She starts her list that includes things such as making a gingerbread house, spending the holidays in a snow-covered cottage, riding a carousel, ice skating, singing carols, getting a picture with Santa and getting a real tree to decorate. When picking out a tree, she meets Jamie, played by Gabriel Hogan. During their first encounter, they argue about who picked the tree out first and who will get to take it home. Even though their first encounter was not all smiles, she is later on tempted with a possibility of a new romance with Jamie.
9. The Nine Lives of Christmas
Calling all cat lovers! “The Nine Lives of Christmas” includes two lonely people who come together because of their love of felines. Zachary Stone is a bachelor who is content with his life without love, mostly because he doesn’t believe in true love or commitment to a love interest.
This turns around when he takes in a tabby cat whose name is Ambrose. The bond he creates with him makes him rethink his philosophy of being alone. He faces his biggest temptation of toss his bachelor status to the curb when he meets veterinary student and fellow animal lover, Marilee. Marilee begins to teach Zachary how to care for his new furry friend, creating a great deal of chemistry between the two. Will Zachary give into his feelings for Marilee or let his comfort of the bachelor life win?
10. Christmas
Everlasting
A promising new original Hallmark movie is coming Thanksgiving weekend called, “Christmas Everlasting.” The film stars Tatyana Ali, Dondre T. Whitfield, Dennis Haysbert and Patti LaBelle. The film depicts Lucy beginning her Christmas season with the best news she has ever gotten; she has been chosen to become a partner at her law firm, which she has dreamt about many times. However, she also gets the worse news she could have thought of: her sister who has special needs has passed away, and she now needs to return home to put her sister to rest. Lucy dreads returning home especially since she did not take her sister’s last phone call before she passed away. While at home, Lucy runs into her old high school boyfriend, Peter, portrayed by Whitfield. Old feelings start to arise with this run in with Peter, but she tries to stay on task with dealing with her sister’s will requests. One of the requests is that Lucy stays in the family home for one month in order for her to inherit the property. Throughout the film, Lucy struggles with grief, an old flame, and her new job. More information can be found on Hallmark’s official site.
