Everyone who has read my column these past 18 years knows that I am a BIG fan of Christmas.
One of my favorite Christmas activities is watching those happy, sappy Hallmark Christmas movies. Paul Purnell, my senior vice-president, also enjoys watching these happy, sappy love stories. The first 10 minutes of our Monday morning staff meeting consists of Paul and I critiquing the weekend’s offerings while the rest of the staff sits there wondering, “how can these two be our leaders?”
So, this year, when that first Hallmark Christmas movie review Monday rolled around, I announced
to Paul my brilliant idea. We would write about our favorite Hallmark Christmas movies. The staff giggled and cheered. Paul just sat there, mostly in shock. I don’t think he really wanted to do this, but
I am the boss, so here it is.
In an attempt to limit the nasty emails, this is OUR list! We are just a couple of good-looking, 55-year-old lawyers by training, who enjoy weekends at home on the couch resting our brains. You might not agree with our choices. That’s ok. We wish you a Merry Christmas anyway!
No. 5 (Mine) Christmas in Evergreen – A widower doctor with an adorable young daughter, a magical snow globe, a mysterious old guy that looks like Santa Claus, and let’s not forget Hallmark staple actress, Ashley Williams. It is a Hallmark classic.
No. 5 (Paul) Write Before Christmas — After an unexpected breakup, a classical musician decides to send the Christmas cards she had originally bought for her now-ex to the five most influential people in her life. Each card has an unexpected and meaningful impact on the respective recipient. And of course, she finds love in the end…surprise, surprise!
No. 4 (Mine) Next Stop Christmas – Ever wish you could go back and change what you thought was a mistake? Well, mistake corrected, but the ticket still is one way and not a round trip; what’s the problem?
No. 4 (Paul) Mistletoe Promise — Two people who both despise the Christmas season enter into a contract whereby they pose as a couple for the holidays, which they call the Mistletoe Promise. (The validity and enforceability of which is always questioned by the lawyer in me.)
No. 3 (Mine) A Crown for Christmas – I am sucker for the royal movies. A widower king, an American governess, and an impossible child. Can they find love? She had him at sewing kit!
No. 3 (Paul) Christmas Next Door – An author of bachelor lifestyle books who has no Christmas spirit keeps his niece and nephew for a few days while their parents are stuck out of town. This unexpected family time coupled with his Christmas-loving neighbor causes him to re-evaluate his life, including his whole genre of writing. In true Hallmark style, he, and the neighbor fall in love.
No. 2 (Mine) Christmas Getaway – A widower lawyer trying to give his daughter a dream Christmas, a travel writer who must write about an old fashion Christmas, and a reservation mix-up that brings them all to the same cabin. Throw in a Christmas list and you come up with the “best Christmas ever!”
No. 2 (Paul) Christmas Under Wraps – This one breaks the usual Hallmark plot line. A top-of-her-class new doctor ends up in Garland (get it?), Alaska. The viewers must decide for themselves, but the town pilot/handy man just might be the son of Santa, himself. As a bonus, the alleged Santa, Frank Holliday, (get it?) is played by Brian Doyle-Murray.
No. 1 (Mine) A Royal Christmas – Jane Seymour is delightful as the queen who will do anything to stop her son from marrying a “commoner.” Throw in Purvis, Mississippi’s own Lacey Chabert and you have a heartwarming love story set at Christmas time.
No. 1 (Paul) Christmas at the Plaza – The guy decorating the Plaza Hotel in New York for Christmas falls in love with the hotel historian. This one contains my favorite scene of all the Hallmark offerings. The longtime hotel bellman not only rediscovers his true calling but is also reunited with the love of his life after being told for 50 years by her parents that he wasn’t good enough for her. It’s a great story of redemption, which, while always wonderful, is especially appropriate this time of year. Now, I’m going to go find a football game to watch.
Now that you know ours, we want to know which ones are your favorites. Go to Today in Mississippi’s Facebook page — https://www.facebook.com/TodayinMississippi — and tell us.
Here’s hoping you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
