The Perfect Christmas Present: A Gift Given from the Heart

The flurry of excitement surrounding Christmas movie campaigns seems to grow every year. There’s one primary reason for this, but collectively, some of the important ones are their festive cheer and heartwarming stories. The first to premiere on Hallmark Movie (as part of their “Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas” promotion), The Perfect Christmas Present is certainly a sweet story.

The Perfect Christmas Present (2017) Hallmark Movie Review

Helping others give a little piece of joy to their loved ones is what Tom (Sam Page) does best. He’s a professional gifter who is hired by clients to find the perfect gift for the perfect person. He’s also known as Mr. Christmas. When his college friend, Paul, shows up on his doorstep looking to hire Tom, he breaks his one rule: never take on clients he knows. However, there’s something about Paul’s plea that makes him say yes.

TV FILM REVIEW | ‘LOVE ON ICE’: WINTRY ROMANCE ABOUT SECOND CHANCES

Tom begins work on discovering the perfect gift for Jenny (Tara Holt), Paul’s perfect girlfriend. She’s a non-profit director who leaves behind her family in LA to move to Chicago. For Paul. Only trouble is, lately things have been tense between them. This inspires Paul to look for that “grand gesture.” The lines of business and pleasure begin to blur the more time he spends with Jenny… a complication Tom never planned on.

Though not my most favorite film this channel has produced ‘Present’ is, nonetheless, a sweet and memorable teleplay. In my catalog of Christmas films, this one has an edge in the creativity department. I’ve not seen a story quite like the one that unfolds inside its framing. It sets up well, with voiceover stories that tug at our heartstrings and set the stage for the story to come.

From @HallmarkMovie Channel, Sam Page co-stars in The Perfect Christmas Present – A Gift Given from the Heart Share on X

Rather than continue writing about the film or story in the usual format and rambles, below are a few highlights (and reasons why you might want to watch The Perfect Christmas Present):

• The electric Chicago setting keeps the “beat” of the story pulsing forward, and also gives vibrancy to the “feel.”
• Christmas décor surrounds nearly every scene; whether it’s the simplicity of a wreath or the bare silhouettes of the trees lined in lights, it’s magnetic.
• As nearly all of their originals do, you’ll recognize Sam Page as a familiar leading man (All Things Valentine, Walking the Dog plus the upcoming A Royal New Year’s Eve).
• As previously mentioned, the story is unique and sets the tone for a mature, charming love story.

If you’re as excited as I am about these Christmas film blocks of programming, you might want to add The Perfect Christmas Present to your DVR. Despite the few missteps, and reworking of lists, it’s as fun, heartwarming and sweet as one would think. In short, it’s one simple joy present you’ll want to unwrap.

Content: Though still clean, because this is on Hallmark Movie Channel (where the films lean ever the slightest towards more “adult” themes), there is some minor innuendo.

Photos: Hallmark Movie / Crown Media Press