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!

The Peete family! | Photo: Crown Media

I love the music, the movies, and festive episodes of my favorite shows, but there’s something very nostalgic, for me, about watching holiday specials during Christmas time.

I love all types; comedy, concerts, and behind-the-scenes looks at how other people ring in the season with their loved ones.  Hallmark Channel has giving us all of the above, and next week they’re sending us on a jolly journey with Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete as their family celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with a special episode of the original docuseries, “Meet the Peetes”!

In the “Meet the Peetes Christmas Special”, viewers will join the Peetes as they prepare for their annual Christmas party extravaganza! There will be merry mayhem, decor galore, and more.

Make sure you tune in to see all of the yuletide fun when the “Meet the Peetes Christmas Special” premieres Monday, December 3rd at 7:00 PM/6:00c only on the Hallmark Channel.

Stay merry!

Photos: Crown Media; Intermix

After spotlighting the red velvet gown Candace Cameron Bure wore while filming the promo for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries “Miracles of Thanksgiving” last month, I received several requests for her outfit in Hallmark Channel’s “5 Night Thanksgiving Event” promo advertisement.

I’m happy to say, I have the full fashion scoop for all of you interested!

Images: Crown Media/J.Crew

In “Reunited at Christmas”, one of the latest Hallmark Channel movies, Samantha (played by Nikki Deloach) is facing her first Christmas without be loved Nana as her family reunites for the holidays. What should be the happiest season brings her doubt in her love life as she regrets accepting a marriage proposal and pretends to be happy about it around her family.

It was a good movie, and the style was pretty nice as well. I’m still in the midst of tracking down a few items I loved, but I thought I’d share two tops I was able to identify pretty easily.

Photos: Crown Media/Zara

Meritt Patterson stars in a royally new Hallmark Christmas movie this year — “Christmas at the Palace”, which premieres TONIGHT!  In the movie, Patterson plays Katie — a former professional ice skater, who is hired by the king of Senova, Alexander (played by Andrew Cooper), to help his daughter in a Christmas ice skating performance. While spending time at the castle, Katie and Alexander fall in love.

But, will the tradition-loving people of San Senova allow their king to make a foreigner their queen?

In one of the publicity photos released to promote the movie, we see that Katie will wear a grey zip-front coat in one of the scenes. The exact jacket she’s wearing is the Zara Zippered Frock Coat in Pearl Gray, which is available at Zara.com for $89.90.

Tune in to watch “Christmas at the Palace” tonight at 8pm/7c on Hallmark Channel!

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/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.