I know it’s July, but I’m already starting to crave Christmas. The music, the lights, the decadent treats—there’s a lot to look forward to. And, thanks to Hallmark Channel, this year’s holiday season just got even sweeter.
The beloved media company recently announced its plans for 40 brand new holiday movies—and you’re about to get a sneak peek!
Hallmark Channel’s 2020 “Countdown to Christmas” Preview
Go make some hot cocoa—you’re going to want it when Hallmark Channel premieres 23 all-new movies during its “Countdown to Christmas” event. The fun starts on Friday, October 23, and includes all of your favorite stars, like Candace Cameron Bure and Lacey Chabert. Here are some of the titles we have to look forward to:
- A Royal Holiday
Starring Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit and Krystal Joy Brown - Jingle Bell Bride
Starring Julie Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe - A Christmas Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Starring Rochelle Aytes and Mark Taylor - If I Only Had Christmas
Starring Candace Cameron Bure - Deliver by Christmas
Starring Alvina August and Eion Bailey - On the 12th Date of Christmas
Starring Mallory Jansen and Tyler Hynes - Christmas Waltz
Starring Lacey Chabert - Christmas in Vienna
Starring Sarah Drew and Brennan Elliott - Christmas in Evergreen 4
Starring Rukiya Bernard and Holly Robinson Peete - Chateau Christmas
Starring Merritt Patterson and Luke Macfarlane - Cross Country Christmas
Starring Rachael Leigh Cook - Christmas Carnival
Starring Tamera Mowry-Housley - When Calls the Heart Christmas 2020
Starring Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith, Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, Paul Greene, Andrea Brooks and Martin Cummins
Psst! Did you see Hallmark is launching Christmas-themed wine?
Hallmark Movies and Mysteries 2020 “Miracles of Christmas” Preview
Hallmark Movies and Mysteries is getting in on the holiday action with its own event, “Miracles of Christmas,” also premiering on Friday, October 23. You can expect 17 all-new original movies on this channel, including:
- Christmas Tree Lane
Starring Alicia Witt and Andrew Walker - Holly & Ivy
Starring Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan, and Marisol Nichols - The Christmas Bow
Starring Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady - Cranberry Christmas
Starring Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres - Christmas Doctor
Starring Holly Robinson Peete
We Can’t Wait!
While, yes, you will have to wait until October for the all-new holiday movies, you can still catch some Christmas flicks during Hallmark’s 24/7 “Christmas in July” marathon going on now through Sunday, July 26. After that, catch a feel-good Christmas film every Friday night until the holiday season starts. (For up-to-date listings, check the Hallmark schedule).
If you’re still feeling festive, whip up a batch of cookies perfect for Christmas in July. Make your home office a little more merry with Hallmark’s virtual Zoom backgrounds. Or, heck, go put up the tree! There’s a surprising reason you should put up your holiday decorations early anyway. No matter what you do, bask in that cheerful glow only Christmas can provide, and remember—’tis (almost) the season!
Lemon Snowflakes
Snow plays a major theme in many Hallmark Christmas movies—whether it’s a major blizzard that keeps anyone from leaving the train or a soft snowfall in the background of a first kiss. Celebrate the magic of snow with these lemon cookies. Dressed in confectioners' sugar, they’re a sweet, “snow”-kissed treat. Once you've mastered snowflake cookies, try your hand at these yummy snowballs.
Touch-of-Gold Christmas Trees
Oh, Christmas tree! You are a beautiful sight. And in honor of all the Hallmark movie moments that take place at tree lightings or in tree lots, whip up a batch of these gold-flecked cookie trees. Did we mention that they’re stuffed with a chocolate-hazelnut spread? Yum! Find more Christmas tree-shaped recipes here.
Gingerbread Cottage
Between gingerbread baking competitions and treasured family recipes, Hallmark movies love this spicy-sweet treat. They also love romantic cottages where two protagonists almost instantly fall in love. Combine the dynamic duo into one quaint, gingerbread cottage. It’s almost too pretty to eat! Here's our step-by-step guide to making a gingerbread house.
Favorite Hot Chocolate
I’ll drink hot chocolate maybe once a year, but in Hallmark movies all bets are off. The characters drink copious amounts of the good stuff. And after trying our favorite hot chocolate recipe, you’ll want to join them.
Angel Food Christmas Candy
Christmas miracles do happen—but they’re particularly common in Hallmark movies. Celebrate the season of angels with this delicious angel food candy—it tastes just like the recipe grandma used to make.
Santa Sugar Cookies
Santa makes an appearance in many Hallmark holiday movies, so honor the big guy with these cute sugar cookies. They look challenging to make, but a heart cookie cutter is the secret that makes them easy to decorate.
Merry Grinchmas Cookies
Almost every Hallmark Christmas movie has a Grinch of some kind. Maybe it’s a money-hungry CEO desperate to take over a small-town cookie factory or a cynical writer who hates the holidays. Though they’re not the most popular characters, they do deserve some recognition—but only in the form of these Merry Grinchmas cookies.
Grandma's Christmas Spice Cutouts
Sometimes a main character needs a little push to fall in love or chase after their dreams. And many times in Hallmark movies, grandma gives that sage advice. This treasured family recipe is just as cozy as a warm hug from grandma. Get all of grandma's best recipes here.
Snowman Christmas Cookies
Do you want to build a snowman? Yes, we know that "Frozen" isn’t a Hallmark movie, but the channel’s holiday films do feature a number of the icy guys. Celebrate with these adorable snowman cookies. They’re fun to make (and decorate!).
Chocolate Caramel Kiss Cookies
You can bank on almost every Hallmark Christmas movie having a kiss at the end when the two main characters fall in love. These chocolate caramel kisses are just as sweet. Leftover kisses? Try making one of these sweet treats.
Gingerbread Christmas Cards
One of our favorite parts about Hallmark Christmas movies is that they seem to celebrate simpler times and traditions—including sending Christmas cards. These cookie cards look impressive, but with the help of edible food writing pens, they’re a breeze to decorate.
Christmas Lights Cookies
Christmas lights are magical—which is why they make an appearance in almost every Hallmark movie. You’ll see small towns dressed in their holiday best, trees wrapped in the glowing bulbs and a handful of angry neighbors who refuse to put up lights of their own. Regardless of the plot, these Christmas light cookies are a sweet addition to your Hallmark holiday spread.The post Hallmark Is Premiering 40 All-New Christmas Movies This Year appeared first on Taste of Home.
Katie Bandurski