Whether or not we’re ready for it, Hallmark Channel officially begins their 10th anniversary Countdown to Christmas with Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses. The movie stars Jill Wagner as Abbey. A single mom who attended design school, she’s been out of the professional world for a while now. She only decorates for fun now, until a friend sets her up with an interview. The interview is with her son, a busy businessman who needs to redecorate the family estate for an event.
As Abbey tries to breathe a little Christmas cheer into the mansion, Nick Sinclair (Matthew Davis) seems most uninterested to work with Abbey, a choice she finds frustrating. How is she to decorate when her boss doesn’t want to show her who he is?
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses (2019) Hallmark Review
The first debut of the 2019 Christmas movie season is a winner. Of course, it never hurts to have one of your favorite Hallmark stars in a lead, but the story is also a cute one. There’s an overload of pine boughs and twinkle lights as Abbey brings warmth to a once lonely mansion.
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The cast is quite good in this one. I’ve liked everything I’ve seen Jill Wagner in, and seeing her in the first Christmas ‘Countdown’ movie of the season is a lovely surprise. Davis isn’t a name or face I remember, but do like, especially in this role. He plays almost a kind of Darcy-esque character, all buttoned up and business like. It makes the interactions more fun.
Like anything from the network, this is cheerful, and features an adorable child character, which is a trope that will always and forever make us smile. In the end, what this one comes down to is entertainment value. Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses has this, and that is enough to make me quite happy. It’s formulaic (which I mean as a compliment since I love the sweetness of these), but with exception to one thing, it’s avoids a dramatic conclusion.
If you like Jill Wagner, or really, just a solid little Christmas-y story, add this one to your DVR.
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses airs tonight, Saturday the 26th on Hallmark Channel.
‘Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses’: A Sweet Romance! Review of #Hallmark's first 2019 #CountdowntoChristmas original. #Hallmarkies Share on XPhotos: Hallmark / Crown Media Press
I really liked this one! I had high hopes going in, and often that means I’ll be let down (usually better for me to have low expectations and then let Hallmark surprise me!)–but I wasn’t let down here! So cute.
Aw, that’s wonderful! I love that this one lived up to your expectations. Many times in years past, it’s the ones I don’t anticipate liking (as well) that I do. For example, I went into “It’s Christmas, Eve” not expecting to enjoy it (maybe because I’m not a LeAnn Rimes fan?), and thought it was one of the cutest! :) I enjoyed this one too, but of course, Jill Wagner is always great.