Photos: All photos belong to LollyChristmas.com except the Christmas Con Logo (That’s 4 Entertainment).

There are many things I love to do at Christmas every year; I love the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Preview weekends, decorating in early November, when the Starbucks red cup comes out and they drop the menu of festive drinks, looking at the Christmas lights around my town, seeing the decorations in the department stories, watching Christmas movies, listening to music – and most of all, spending time with my family. Imagine my absolute joy when I found out there was a way I could do nearly all of that in one place… enter the first annual CHRISTMAS CON!

That’s 4 Entertainment created the first ever 3-day winter wonderland convention of fun where you can shop for gifts, window shop decor, listen to music and engage with your favorite stars from beloved Christmas made-for-television films that help make your seasons bright every year.  The event, which was held November 8-10th at the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ, was then sponsored by the Hallmark Channel, which resulted in even more promised holiday magic!

When my daughters and I originally heard about the convention a few months ago, we knew it was going to be something we had to be apart of — I mean, this lineup was insane, we’re talking appearances from stars like: Chad Michael Murray, Melissa Joan Hart, Holly Robinson Peete, Lacey Chabert, Alicia Witt (who also performed!), Andrew Walker, Cameron Mathison, Ryan Paevey, Jackée Harry, Nikki DeLoach, Erin Krakow, Paul Greene, Melissa Claire Egan, Rachel Boston, Danica McKellar, Jack Wagner, Jesse Metcalfe, Ashley Williams and Jonathan Bennett, who also served as the M.C.

We were all set to enjoy the entire weekend at the convention in our home state when, unfortunately, we had a family emergency.  Things eventually smoothed out on the family end and we were able to attend the last day of the convention.  I brought my daughter, Courtney, with me — you’re familiar with her and don’t even know it; she’s a big part of site updates and the *Festive Fashion* section!

We took a quick twenty minute drive and had easy parking; were able to stroll inside with more ease than any concert I’ve ever attended — and given my families line of work, I’ve done a lot of that.  After we picked up our passes, Courtney and I were greeted by the sounds of holiday music and the views of Christmas Land galore!  Decorations, the hustle and bustle of holiday fans everywhere and a Hallmark Channel display, which featured a giant Christmas tree, a huge snowglobe photo booth, and little living room façades set up for photo opts with faux fireplaces and couches…

oh, and a hot cocoa bar!

From then on out, it was a busy afternoon for us! We met with several stars to grab some photos for the website, including Alicia, Chad, Cameron, Ryan, Nikki, Jonathan and Andrew –who we had just interviewed about his new movie Merry and Bright a week prior.  Every single one of them were warm, gracious and clearly filled with the holiday spirit.

In addition to meet-and-greets, photo-ops and interviews with the stars — podcaster panels, an Ugly Sweater Contest, a Gingerbread Wars competition, and a visit with Santa Claus were also on the convention roster! Christmas Con partnered with Toys for Tots by donating gifts, so visitors were able to participate by bringing a toy to donate.

Because it was the last day, there were a lot of time restraints and organizers were rushing to ensure attendees could meet their favorite stars and see the Q&A event that was held with Andrew later in the afternoon.  I can’t deny it… it wasn’t all candy canes and cheer for everyone. In fact, I’ve heard a lot of stories over the past few days about people feeling the event could’ve been handled in regards to capacity issues, line waits, etc, but for their first year — I thought it was a very good first try, and I encourage them to continue.  Practice makes perfect, right?  There were a few times I needed to sit down due to a health issue, and I found that in the future, Christmas Con could benefit from having some benches for those who need a rest and can’t walk long distances to an available seating area.

After a successful afternoon of spending time together enjoying our favorite holiday with some of our favorite Christmas movie stars, it was time to call it an evening.  On our way out, we briefly met Rachel [Boston] as she finished up at her autograph booth so we weren’t able to grab a photo — maybe next time!  Courtney and I tried to get a photo together at one of the Hallmark photo section areas, ideally at the snow globe attraction, but it was too crowded.

That’s another suggestion, I hope next year they make that space much bigger for people to get photos and browse without bumping into each other or ruining someone’s picture with a photobomb.

All in all, we had fun. The volunteers and organizers were welcoming and did they best to make sure everyone had a great time; the atmosphere was festive and seeing so many Hallmark stars in one place was surreal.   We didn’t experience the entire convention as we hoped, but it was a day with my daughter I’ll never forget. Until next year…

Check out some of our photos below!

Christmas Con 2019

The main Hallmark Channel tree at the entrance of the event!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

One of the cozy Hallmark photo-op displays!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

The Hallmark Channel photo-op section entrance!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Some Christmas fans we met who got decked out Whoville-style!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Andrew Walker poses at his official meet-and-greet booth!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Lolly Christmas with Andrew Walker
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Lolly's daughter Courtney with Andrew Walker
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Alicia Witt poses at her official meet-and-greet booth!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Alicia Witt with Courtney
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Alicia Witt with Courtney
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Nikki DeLoach poses at her official meet-and-greet booth!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Nikki DeLoach with Lolly Christmas and Courtney!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Courtney with Nikki DeLoach
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Ryan Paevey poses at his official meet-and-greet booth!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Ryan Paevey with Lolly Christmas and Courtney!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Ryan Paevey with Lolly Christmas!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Courtney with Ryan Paevey
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Chad Michael Murray with Courtney
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Cameron Mathison with Lolly Christmas!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Cameron Mathison with Courtney
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Jonathan Bennett poses at his official meet-and-greet booth!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Jonathan Bennett with Lolly Christmas!
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Jonathan Bennett with Courtney
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Christmas Con 2019

Christmas Con 2019 Atmosphere
Photos: LollyChristmas.com

Stay merry!