Memories of Christmas: How To Remember Christmas Joy

As if any of us will complain, the Hallmark movie premieres continue to march on. Fortunately for us, we have about three more weekends to enjoy this 2018 line up. One we can enjoy is Memories of Christmas. A film that is, as its title would suggest, about nostalgia.

Memories of Christmas (2018) Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Review

Life in San Francisco suits Noelle (Christina Milian). She’s a success in her work as a financial “dealmaker,” but since she no longer has family, Christmas doesn’t mean much to her. This year, she plans to treat the season the same. But then her boss insists that Noelle take time off to return home to Michigan and prepare her mother’s home to sell. With reluctance, Noelle agrees.

Back home, she discovers her mother’s house holds many happy memories. Inside the nooks and crannies, Noelle revisits memories sparked by the things she finds while packing. She also begins a friendship with the good hearted Dave (Mark Taylor), a local handyman who is also involved with the scholarship gala in her mother’s name.

I do have favorites when it comes to Hallmark’s premieres, but one thing I can say is, they’re all lovely. This one is no different. It may not be at the tippy-top of my favorites list, but it’s still a charming way to end an evening. This is especially true if you’ve had a busy week, and are ready to unwind, even if only for two hours.

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Like each of its peers do, Memories of Christmas features the tropes we love, but more than this, what it does is add in some unique markers. There’s a near (but not obvious) kiss, and ice skating, but each of these snapshot moments happens a little bit differently than the typical. I also like the addition of Noelle’s “crush.” It was a nice shift as is the fact that Dave and Noelle share no past (despite this being a girl-returns-home story).

I’ve not seen Milian in much, but she’s good in this role as is Mark Taylor. Their scenes together are well played, and there is a sincerity to them that adds some sparkle. Noelle’s neighbors are a fun couple, and of course, the usual group of supporting characters includes family (Dave’s) and a friend from the past.

Those of us who’ve liked what Hallmark has introduced so far this year will find Memories of Christmas another sweetheart. It’s bittersweet in a few places, but never becomes melancholy, which I appreciate. Instead, while it is a story about nostalgia, it’s a hopeful story in which a character rediscovers a piece of herself she though was lost.

Content: as is usual, this TVG Hallmark contains nothing worth noting.

This one premieres tonight (December 8) on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries!

Photos: Hallmark / Crown Media Press