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.

Photo: Crown Media

With 37 original Christmas movies on the way, it’s no wonder Hallmark is airing so many preview specials to increase our excitement! You won’t hear me complaining–I can’t get enough!

After hosting the Christmas: A Second Look Preview Special last month, Kellie Pickler (“Christmas at Graceland”) is returning to bring viewers the 2018 Countdown to Christmas Preview Special.

This special sneak peek with give us one last first-look at the upcoming movies that are part of Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas”, the award-winning #1 holiday programming event, which kicks off on October 26th and runs through the end of the year.

Stay merry!

L-R: Danica McKellar & Dan Lauria | Photos: Crown Media/FOX

It’s been 25 years since “The Wonder Years” went off air, so I guess you could say the upcoming reunion between two of its stars is long overdue.

As you might already know, Danica McKellar is returning to the Hallmark Channel this Christmas to lead “Christmas at Grand Valley” — but, Entertainment Tonight has learned that her former ‘Wonder Years’ co-star, Dan Lauria, will be joining her in the holiday film!

Synopsis: Burned out from the hubbub of the Chicago gallery world, artist Kelly (McKellar) returns home to the picturesque Grand Valley just in time for Christmas. Maybe her favorite town’s shining season will reinvigorate her love of art and guide her down her next path. Leo (Brennan Elliott), businessman and all-star dad to his children, struggles to balance his time this holiday season. When he is assigned to review a hotel in Grand Valley for its value, he sees this as the perfect opportunity for a Christmas family vacation. It isn’t long until Kelly and Leo’s worlds collide. As Kelly re-experiences her favorite Grand Valley traditions with Leo and his children, she begins to find her way back to her passion for art.

Laura will play McKeller’s father, Frank Riley, the town diner owner who has been dubbed “Mayor of Christmas” by the town because of his love and dedication to the most ‘wonderful’ time of the year.

Photos: Crown Media

As if getting the full line-up of Hallmark’s 2018 Christmas movies yesterday wasn’t exciting enough, we now have 8 35 new movie posters to further add to the festive anticipation!

Check out the slideshow below to see them all, and make sure you check out Hallmark Channel’s Countdown To Christmas and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Miracles of Christmas premiere schedule by clicking here. Remember: The holiday fun officially kicks off on October 26th!

L-R: Chad Michael Murray, Jessica Lowndes, Michael Rady & LeAnn Rimes. | Photos: Crown Media

There is nothing like celebrating the middle of the week with a huge dose of Christmas spirit — thanks to the exclusive Entertainment Weekly dropped this morning unveiling information on ALL 36 37 holiday movies that will premiere on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries this year!

There will be many of your festive favorites returning, including: Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert, Daniel Lissing, Lori Loughlin, Jessica Lowndes, Alicia Witt and Brennan Elliott, but there will also be Hallmark Christmas newbies that ‘yule’ love like Chad Michael Murray, Corey Sevier, Emily Osment, Ryan Paevey and Scottie Thompson.

Eloise Mumford and Sean Faris will also be starring in a movie together, so if you loved seeing them work together in 2012’s Christmas with Holly, this is sure to be a treat!

One of my favorite things about this reveal is that we see that Hallmark is taking a huge step in the right direction by having racial diversity in the leading roles. Over the years, viewers have requested this–last year Alexa and Carlos PenaVega lead one out of 33 premieres, but I’m thrilled to say Jerrika Hinton, Christian Vincent, Tatyana Ali, Dondre T. Whitfield, Christina Milian, Mark Taylor, Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Duane Henry will star in 4 of the films, and the PenaVegas will each return in solo films. I hope this will inspire even more next year!

Read the line-up below, and don’t miss the kick off of Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas & HMM’s Miracles of Christmas on October 26th–with the first premiere airing the next day!

L-R: Jerrika Hinton & Christina Milian | Photos: Crown Media, IMDb

Can you handle more Hallmark Christmas movie news?! I hope so, because we’re really getting spoiled lately with all the casting and film announcements.

According to a new report from Entertainment Tonight, we will be getting movies from Christina Milian, Ryan Paevey, and former “Grey’s Anatomy” star, Jerrika Hinton. Sean Faris and Eloise Mumford, who starred together in Hallmark’s 2012 film “Christmas with Holly”, are reuniting in a new movie as well. I’ve included a breakdown of what we now know about each film below!

L-R: Nikki Deloach and Jen Lilley | Photos: Crown Media

We’re only seven weeks away from the kick off to Hallmark’s Christmas programming so, naturally, I have more movie news for you!

Network favorites Nikki DeLoach and Jen Lilley are returning this holiday season to star in in a few festive movies and, according to this exclusive scoop from ET, I think ‘yule’ love what’s in store.

Title: “Christmas Reunited”
Network: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Cast: Nikki Deloach and Mike Faiola

Synopsis: Samantha (DeLoach), a frazzled novelist struggling with writer’s block, heads home to her late grandmother’s home — alongside her boyfriend — to spend Christmas there. While at home with family, her grandmother’s wise words reveal the true meaning of Christmas to Samantha at a time when she most needs encouragement.

DeLoach, who previously starred in “Christmas Land” (2015) and “A Dream of Christmas” (2016), will also serve as an executive producer on the film.

Title: “Mingle All the Way”
Network: Hallmark Channel
Cast: Jen Lilley, Brant Daugherty and Lindsay Wagner

Synopsis: Molly (Lilley) is determined to prove to her family that it is a success. Therefore, she joins the ‘Mingle All the Way’ networking app, and meets another busy professional, Jeff (Daugherty). When Molly and Jeff are matched, they are both horrified to realize they’ve already had not one, but two, disastrous previous encounters. Nevertheless, they agree to stay matched for all their respective upcoming holiday engagements. As the pair gets closer, perhaps their business arrangement might turn into something more this holiday season.

Stay merry!

Left: Chad Michael Murray, Right: Jessy Schram / Photos: Crown Media/IMDb

In addition to Hilarie Burton, Danneel Harris, Robert Buckley, Tyler Hilton and Antwon Tanner heading to Lifetime with “The Christmas Contract”, and Bethany Joy Lenz  starring in “Poinsettias for Christmas” with Sharon Lawrence, it seems that yet another “One Tree Hill” alum will be headlining a new television movie this holiday season — Chad Michael Murray!

The former OTH star, who made his Hallmark Channel debut this past spring in “The Beach House”, will be returning to the network for the Countdown to Christmas 2018 line-up in “The Wise Men”, alongside Jessy Schram who starred in 2017’s “Royal New Year’s Eve”.

Left: Jessica Lowndes, Right: Michael Rady / Photos: Crown Media

Another festive day of Christmas in July has brought more joyous movie news for all my fellow fans of Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas, according to EW!

Jessica Lowndes, star of 2015’s “Merry Matrimony”, 2016’s “A December Bride” and last year’s “Magical Christmas Ornaments” is returning to the network this holiday season alongside Hallmark alum Michael Rady (2016’s “Christmas in Homestead”, 2017’s “A Joyous Christmas”) to star in “Night Before Christmas”.