Miss Christmas: Sweet Christmas Story Transports to Small Town Wisconsin

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One of Hallmark’s 2017 originals immediately captured my attention. Aside from its boasting the “Hallmark” name, there’s more to this “why.” Let’s find out the “why” behind this.

Miss Christmas (2017) Hallmark Channel Review

The story introduces us to “Miss Christmas,” the lady in charge of finding Chicago’s Christmas masterpiece: their Christmas tree. Miss Christmas is really Holly Khun (Brooke D’Orsay), a Christmas enthusiast whose childhood memories include growing up on a Christmas tree farm. When their tree for this Christmas is damaged during transport, even the normally cool Holly is flustered. What’s Miss Christmas to do?

Desperate and exhausting every other option, Holly turns to the submission letters. Near the bottom of the pile she finds one from a little boy named Joey McNarry. It’s his crayon-penned letter that captures Holly’s
attention. Enclosed with the letter is a photo of the most beautiful tree Holly has ever seen. With nary a second thought, Holly travels to the small Wisconsin town where the letter came from. Once there, Holly meets Joey, and his warm, open-hearted family. An adage that applies to everyone but his father, Sam (Marc Blucas), the one person standing in the way of bringing this tree to Chicago.

Discovering a new Christmas movie that’s bright with holly cheer and sweet nuances is one of my favorite things of the season. When they’re this cute, the stories shine all the brighter with personality. If there’s one thing Miss Christmas suffers no shortage of, it’s personality.

Here are a few of the reasons why this one wins my heart.

  • The story is adorable. It’s the wonderful brand Hallmark is known for (which is plenty of agreeable romances), but at the same time, this is about a woman finding home.
  • The family working as the “backbone” to this story is, as it always is on Hallmark, is sweet. The importance these stories always put on families and their role in our lives (especially as helping to shape who we
    become) is to be admired.
  • Chemistry between the leads is fantastic. From the moment Sam and Holly meet, there’s one of those electric “meet cutes” because of the fun banter and the obvious interest on both parts.
  • Of course, this leads to the cast, which is fabulous. D’Orsay’s chipper, girl-next-door personality is infectious. (Can I please borrow some of her Christmas enthusiasm??) Not just this, she perfect for this
    role, and as a fan of his (dating back to First Daughter), it’s always fun to see Blucas return to Hallmark. (As an aside, who else can rock the Ugly Christmas sweater better than these two?)
  • Based on a novella (of the same title), this teleplay differs a great deal from its origin material, but that doesn’t stop this from being its own piece of Christmas charm. Let’s discuss the comparisons in more depth. If I do have a minor complaint (and please don’t misunderstand, I still adore this film), it’d be that they transferred this to a Christmas setting. I’d have liked to see it be the novel’s “summer” setting (maybe as their “Christmas in July” premiere instead?) with a Christmas “epilogue” like scene to tie it all together. There are a few too many “differences” in the adaptation for this to feel like it’s still the same as the novella.
Even still… though we all have our favorites, anyone who likes Hallmark Channel will enjoy Miss Christmas. It’s got all of the qualifiers we look for in a good Christmas film. This is certainly a movie that made my mother and I react in an “aww” sort of way. All of which is sure to lead fans towards more excitement for what’s yet to come on the 2017 Countdown to Christmas schedule.
Photos: Hallmark Channel / Crown Media Press 

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

5 comments

  1. Loved, loved, loved this one! But then when do I not love Marc Blucas? It's probably my second favorite entry so far this year (of the ones I've seen)–because I just adored "Coming Home for Christmas" with Danica McKellar :-)

    1. Right? I love Marc Blucas in everything I've seen him in too! In fast, Operation Christmas is one of my all-time favorite Hallmark's. (Plus, it probably doesn't hurt that it's about the military.)

      Aw, 'Home' IS cute! I watched that one… last weekend, maybe? Whenever it was, it doesn't change the fact that it's a sweet one. I like the fairy tale feel even though it isn't one. :)

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