Seeley and Kane in a scene from the movie. | Photo: Crown Media

SURPRISE! Hallmark added a record-breaking 38th movie to their original holiday programming lineup this year, and I’m beaming with excitement!

Chelsea Kane and Drew Seeley will lead in “A Christmas for the Books”; Joanna Moret (Kane), is a lifestyle guru and romance expert that receives one of the biggest opportunities in her career by getting the chance to throw the highly-anticipated MacAllen holiday gala.

Joanna may be on a promotional tour for her self-help book, The Love Audit, but the newly single author finds herself in a faux romance with morning show producer, Ted (Seeley), in an effort to save face in front of her devoted fans and her new clients, the MacAllens.*

“A Christmas for the Books” premieres on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries next Thursday, December 20th at 9:00pm/8c, part of the Miracles of Christmas programming. With several specials and nearly 40 movies, this has to be Hallmark’s biggest Christmas celebration ever!

Stay merry!

*Details on the synopsis via ET.

Photos: Screencaps via Crown Media; Balsam Hill

Now that you have the scoop on how you can dress like Noelle (Candace Cameron Bure) from Hallmark Channel’s “A Shoe Addict’s Christmas”, why not decorate your tree like her too?!

I couldn’t help but fall in love with the decorations used in the film on both Noelle’s tree at home and the tree she decorated with Jake (Luke Macfarlane) at the fire station.

With Balsam Hill being a sponsor of the Hallmark networks, there’s no real surprise that the decor came from the iconic Christmas retailer, but I wanted to spotlight a few pieces that you might be interested in incorporating into your own home.

Marilu Henner, Emily Hampshire and Joey Lawrence in 2012’s “Hitched for the Holidays”.

We’re freshly into the holiday season, and we already have news for next year’s celebration!

Forbes announced yesterday that the Hallmark Channel and its sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, known for their lineup of holiday-themed romantic comedies and hugely successful Christmas programming, are currently in the process of creating two films for the 2019 festive lineup that will celebrate Hanukkah as well!

“Holiday Date”, which is currently in the early stages of script development, will have “Hannukah elements … which is a lot of fun as Hanukkah and Christmas overlap in 2019,” a spokeswoman for Crown Media explained.

The last time Hallmark included a movie that included Hanukkah was 2012’s “Hitched for the Holidays”, which starred Joey Lawrence, Emily Hampshire and Marilu Henner. The comedy was about a young couple who fake their engagement after meeting on a dating website to keep their families from meddling in their love lives during the holidays.

I can’t wait to see these new movies when they premiere next year!

Stay merry!

Photos: Crown Media

Just because the Christmas fun started back in October doesn’t mean Hallmark doesn’t have some Thanksgiving fun in the works! Candace Cameron Bure is set to host a giant 9 Night Thanksgiving Celebration that spans 2 networks; both the Hallmark Channel and its sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries next week.

On Saturday, November 17th, Candace will kick-off the first ever Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Miracles of Thanksgiving celebration, a 4-night spectacular of all-new holiday premieres–including: “Return to Christmas Creek”, “A Godwink Christmas”, “Last Vermont Christmas” and “Hope at Christmas”. Check out the full lineup here.

The 2012 favorite, “Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade” starring Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo, will have an early airing on Wednesday, November 21st at 7AM/6c.

But, wait, there’s more!

Photo: Vanessa Hudgens in a scene from ‘The Princess Switch’. | Photo: Netflix

I’ve been excited for this movie since June, and now it’s finally arriving!

Vanessa Hudgens takes on a dual role in a new holiday film on Netflix called “The Princess Switch”.  In the movie, Hudgens stars as both Stacy De Novo and Lady Margaret, identical women from very different walks of life; Stacy is a down-to-earth Chicago baker while Lady Maragret is a soon-to-be-princess. One week before Christmas, they switch places and each fall in love with each other’s beaus.

This sounds like romantic comedy merry mayhem, and I’m here for it!

Photo: NBC/Universal

It was quite the treat to see a few of the original “One Tree Hill” cast members reunite on NBC’s “Kathie Lee & Hoda TODAY” this morning to talk about their new Lifetime movie, “The Christmas Contract” — aka — an ultimate Tree Hill reunion holiday film that every OTH fan didn’t know they needed until now.

Hilarie Burton, Danneel Ackles and Antwon Tanner sat down with Kathie Lee Gifford & Hoda Kotb to discuss the new movie and how they’ve remained close friends.

Watch the interview below!

Stay merry!

Richards and Muldoon on set of MY ADVENTURES WITH SANTA. | Photo: David Gere

After starring in 2015 “A Christmas Reunion”, it’s fitting that Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon have ‘reunited’ for another holiday film. The two actors (and real-life couple!) are currently Meriden, Connecticut filming scenes for “My Adventures With Santa”.

According to MyRecordJournal.com, the film — which is produced by David Gere — will have a limited release in theaters, with a worldwide digital and DVD release at Walmart, Target, and on Amazon.

Not much is known about the plot, but Barbara Eden, known for her iconic lead role in ” I Dream of Jeannie”, will be playing Mrs. Claus!

I’ll keep you posted as release info comes out, but considering it’s already October, I think it might be safe to say that we can expect to see “My Adventures With Santa” during the 2019 holiday season.

Stay merry!

Kat Graham stars in THE HOLIDAY CALENDAR. | Photos: Netflix

With only a week left in October, Netflix has revealed the list of movies, documentaries and television series that will be coming to the streaming service during the month of November, and among that list are several festive titles. Check them out below!

Angela’s Christmas
Cast: Lucy O’Connell, Ruth Negga & Brendan Mullins
Release Date: November 1

In this original Netflix animated family film, a trip to church with her family on Christmas Eve gives young Angela an extraordinary idea. A heartwarming tale based on a story by Frank McCourt.

Photo/Screencaps: Crown Media

As Christmas music and a crackling fire set the mood, Kellie Pickler took on hosting duties once more as she hosted Hallmark Channel’s “2018 Countdown to Christmas Preview Special” over the weekend.

Both Kellie and Lacey Chabert gave us sneak peeks over the past few months as they hosted separate preview specials for the network, but with the slate of highly-anticipated holiday programming kicking off THIS FRIDAY, I think it’s safe to say this hour-long special was the final step in our journey on the Countdown to Christmas! I’m so excited–is it Friday yet?!

As with my previous recaps, I’ve included the scoop on the movies spotlighted during the special.

L-R: Adelaide Kane & Jonathan Bennett | Photos: IMDb

A few weeks ago it was revealed that, real-life couple, Carlos and Alexa PenaVega would be returning to the Hallmark Channel for new Christmas movies, however–unlike last year, they would lead separate films. We got a few details about each film, but Entertainment Tonight has officially confirmed each of their co-stars!

Jonathan Bennett, known for his role “Mean Girls”, will star opposite Alexa in “Christmas Made to Order”, which premieres Sunday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Synopsis: When architect and Christmas amateur Steven (Bennett) finds himself hosting his family for Christmas, he recruits holiday coordinator Gretchen (PenaVega) to bring holiday joy to his home. Gretchen’s expert Christmas spirit brings Steven’s family together, but neither expected it to bring them closer to each other. After a great opportunity presents itself to Gretchen, she and Steven must decide what’s really important in life.

Carlos has found his leading partner for “A Midnight Kiss” with Adelaine Kane, former star of the CW’s “Reign”. Their New Year’s Eve-themed film will premiere Saturday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.