Hallmark Christmas Movie Recipe
What makes Hallmark Christmas Movies so addictive? Is it because they manage to bake up a love story rolled in Christmas cheer? Or is it because they cook up a little utopian world so full of Christmas Spirit that we forget that we are in fact watching a cheesy love story? I have decided this year, to put on my holiday apron and bake up a recipe of my own.
Ingredients
-1 protagonist who is at a crossroad in their life. Must be attractive, successful, and driven.
-A second protagonist who may also be at a crossroad in their life but does not know it yet. They may be perfectly content with current life but may be missing one ingredient. Just like the first protagonist, this character must be attractive.
-1 possibly 2 antagonists. This person is not “bad” per se. They may be a jerk or somewhat selfish, but oftentimes they do not do anything “evil” they just get in the way.
-A large portion of Christmas Spirit. This is the main ingredient. If you do not taste this ingredient throughout, then it is not a Hallmark Christmas movie.
-1 small town. It helps if the small town is in the mountains or otherwise quaint location. The town must be clean and impeccably decorated. Town must be filled with delightful townspeople.
-A dash of a Christmas baking scene. This scene involves both main characters. They either bake or decorate cookies. Or they might decorate a gingerbread house.
-A dash of any of the below scenes:
Tree cutting/Tree decorating/Christmas gift shopping/Ice Skating scene/Sleigh ride scene/Hot cocoa drinking together scene, etc. (Again, these scenes involve both main characters and the importance of these scenes is for them to get to know one another. You do not need to add all these scenes for the recipe to turn out. Pick and choose and be creative!)
-A plot of some sort. The plot is almost always a love story where the two main characters get to know each other, get their feelings all mixed up which leads to the climax. The plot may involve a character undergoing a major life dilemma.
-1 large but silly misunderstanding. The misunderstanding is important to the plot. Make sure this is added toward the end of the recipe.
-Sprinkles of various other themes. The movie is not just about Christmas or finding love. It can involve animals, a castle, music, love letters, ice skating, etc. Pick one and run with it. Be creative!
-A sprinkle of a few beloved side characters. This can be a best friend, an older relative, or an adorable child. The side character has the best heart and gives heartwarming advice to the Protagonist.
Mix all the above ingredients together well. Bake at 350 degrees for roughly 84 minutes (if commercials are included, about 3 hours).
Enjoy!
P.S. My favorite Hallmark Christmas movies are:
A Shoe Addict’s Christmas-for the shoe lover
Christmas at Pemberley Manor-for the fan of Pride and Prejudice
Next Stop, Christmas-for the fan of Back to The Future