Let’s Talk Hallmark: More about the Magic of Hallmark’s Christmas Movies

Hallmark has created a brand that is associated with warmth and kindness. For the television and cable network fans, like me, Hallmark Channel has become the house of sweet romance, and stories associated with the seasons. The network promotes movies through the seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. But the most popular are the Christmas-themed movies.

Over the years, the Hallmark Channel network (owned by Crown Media Holding) has continued producing and adding Christmas movies to their line-up. There are so many movies, this is the third post I’ve written. Check here for the first one, and how it all began https://fullofcoffee.blog/2019/10/13/lets-talk-hallmark-the-beginning-of-hallmark-christmas-movies/.

As always, I like to remind all readers that, even though I love the movies, I’m only a fan. I have no rights or access to any production or merchandise. None. But if you’re interested, you may visit the website www.hallmarkchannel.com. I check the Hallmark Channel page every day! I check the merchandise page too! See all they have in stores here https://www.hallmark.com/. The ornament in the picture below is available for purchase.

It all started in 1951, when the Hall Brothers were approached by TV producers to sponsor movies and shows. They created the “Hallmark” brand, to associate quality with their brand name. They succeeded. Then those presentations became known as “Hallmark Hall of Fame”. Those have remained favorites of viewers throughout the years. The effort of putting together such productions is well worth it, as these movies are cherished by so many fans. For a full list, check here https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/hallmark-hall-of-fame/movies.

With the success of the Hallmark Channel, the Crown Media company launched the Hallmark Movie Channel in 2004. In 2014, it was renamed as the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. In 2017, they added the Hallmark Drama, and the Hallmark Movie Now, streaming movie service for customers.

This year, 2019, Hallmark Channel celebrates the 10th year anniversary of the “Countdown to Christmas” movies. This time, the group of movies I’m featuring aired from 2005 to 2008. The majority of them premiered on the Hallmark Channel. Some of them still aired on CBS, as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame.

Let’s take a look:

• Meet the Santas (2005) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Steven Gutenberg, Crystal Bernard and Dominic Scott Kay. This is a sequel to Single Santa Seeks Mrs Claus (2004). As Nick and Beth prepare to get married, they are informed they need to marry before Christmas Day, as they have to assume their official positions of Santa and Mrs. Claus. I haven’t seen this one. It has been added to the Hallmark Drama schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Drama channel web page).

• Silver Bells (2005) – Premiered on CBS, as a Hallmark Hall of Fame, with Ana Heche and Tate Donovan. It’s based on the novel of the same name by Luanne Rice. The story of widower Christy (Donovan) and his children, who come to New York to sell Christmas pine trees, where he meets Catherine (Heche). His teenage son runs away, and Catherine helps the kid by buying his pictures and putting them on the newspaper. I’ve seen this one, and I love it. It’s very emotional. It has been added to the Hallmark Drama schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Drama channel web page).

• The Christmas Card (2006) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Alice Evans, John Newton, and Ed Asner. The story of soldier Cody (Newton), who received an anonymous Christmas card while in Afghanistan. He later tracked the card to the person who sent it, Faith (Evans), and falls in love with her. I haven’t seen this one. I’ve been trying to watch this one for a while. This one is on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Movies and Mysteries web page).

• What I Did for Love (2006) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Jeremy London, Dorie Barton, and James Gammon. A city attorney goes to small town to spend the holidays with his girlfriend, and has to adjust to farm life, even pretending to be a cowboy. This is one I haven’t seen. It has been added to the Hallmark Drama schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Drama channel web page).

• A Grandpa for Christmas (2007) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Ernest Borgnine, Juliette Goglia and Tracy Nelson. A retired actor agrees to take care of his granddaughter when her mom, his daughter, had a car accident. The two find a connection in a Christmas school pageant. I haven’t seen this one. It has been added to the Hallmark Drama schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Drama channel web page).

• All I Want for Christmas (2007) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel with Gail O’Grady, Greg Germann, and Robert Mailhouse. A boy enters a contest in which entrants are asked for their greatest Christmas wish. He asks to help find a new husband for his widowed mother. I’ve seen this one. It has been added to the Hallmark Drama schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Drama channel web page).

• The Note (2007) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Genie Francis and Ted McGinley. This movie is based on the novel by Angela Hunt. An advice columnist embarks on a cross-country trip to deliver a note to the father of a stranger. She decides to find the intended recipient of the note, while logging her journey through her articles. (Interesting!) I haven’t seen this one. It has been added to the Hallmark Drama schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Drama channel web page).

• A Kiss at Midnight (2008) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, wiht Faith Ford, Dyan Cannon and Cameron Daddo. A successful professional matchmaker makes a New Year’s Eve resolution to finally find a love match for herself. I haven’t seen this one. It has been added to the Hallmark Drama schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Drama channel web page).

• Moonlight and Mistletoe (2008) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Candace Cameron Bure, Tom Arnold, Christopher Wiehl, and Barbara Niven. This is Candace’s first Hallmark movie. Holly’s dad runs a year-round Christmas village, Santaville, that is about to get foreclosed. Holly came back to town, after many years gone, and helped save it. This one I’ve seen, a very cute story. It’s part of the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel web page).

• Our First Christmas (2008) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Julie Warner, Steven Eckholdt, Dixie Carter and John Ratzenberger. Widowers Cindy and Tom and their children are spending their first Christmas together. Both sets of children are determined to keep their traditions of the past, causing a bit of a dilemma. This one I’ve seen, another cute story. It’s part of the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel web page).

• The Christmas Choir (2008) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Jason Gedrick, Rhea Perlman, Tyrone Benskin, and Marianne Farley. This movie is based on a true story. A workaholic accountant volunteers at a shelter, and discovers some of the homeless people have musical talent. He sets to help them and rediscovers the healing power of music. I haven’t seen this one. I couldn’t find it on schedule, but information is available on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Movies and Mysteries web page).

• The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Brooke Burns, Warren Christie, and Henry Winkler. This is one of my top favorites! It’s a favorite of many fans. Corporate analyst and single mom, Jen, tackles Christmas with a business-like approach. Until her uncle Ralph, a retired police officer, arrives with a handsome stranger, Morgan, that shows Jen how to celebrate Christmas. This is a great movie. It still shows on Hallmark Channel schedule. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Channel web page).

Hallmark Channel brings us such lovely movies, that it makes us fans wish for more. The concept of having a love story during Christmas season makes these movies even more special. That’s what makes them so popular, in my opinion. That’s what makes these Hallmark movies so beloved.

From this group of 12, I’ve only seen 5. Yes, there are many more movies still to cover. I’ll be writing some more. I have plenty more to add, more to write about, and more movies to watch and love. I love writing, I love Christmas, and I love Hallmark movies. It’s time for my tacita de café. Salud!

Para versión en español, vea https://fullofcoffee.blog/2019/10/27/hablemos-hallmark:-mas-sobre-la-magia-de-las-peliculas-navidenas-de-hallmark/.