Usually every year around this time, my friend Jordyn and I host a party where we watch as many made for TV Christmas movies as possible. We spend all night basking in the glow that is true love on Christmas with a ghost/boss/or someone else’s fiancé and the heat created between the friction of a single career woman in her late twenties and her mother who “just wants you to settle down before it’s too late.” The best part is it’s generally contagious. Every year, we meet someone else who shares the obsession. I get that this may not seem novel in 2020, but there was a time when these gems weren’t as widely celebrated.
Since I can’t spend this year cozied up with friends eating from a communal table of pizza, my 2020 Christmas gift to you is the at home made-for-tv Christmas experience. Ideally this would include a choice between a handsome craftsman from your hometown who values the simple life or a secret prince from a small European country of your choosing, but I can only upload pdfs. So here you go:
Bingo Cards
Here are some boards we used last year. Or go to this website (be sure to click the Christmas theme) and make your own: https://myfreebingocards.com/bingo-card-generator
Movie Guides
There is a lot of content out there. A few years ago I started making movie guides and it made ALL THE DIFFERENCE. We never make it all the way down the list (and you still run into some duds), but it’s a lot easier to make your picks when it’s narrowed down (Jordyn and I always preview the first 20 minutes at least which filters out a lot of lemons).
Here’s the 2020 Very Merry Christmas Marathon Movie Guide which includes new movies as well as some of my older favorites:
Here’s the 2019 Very Merry Christmas Marathon Movie Guide
Here’s the 2018 Very Merry Christmas Marathon Movie Guide
Snacks & Beverages
Last but not least, I suggest you order in pizza and rename your soda options to be more festive. Here are some drink menus we’ve done before to inspire you:
Extra Credit
Can’t get enough? Here’s a round up of Hallmark related content for you:
The Popcast- Episode 378 – The Nos of Hallmark Movies
Hot Pink Pineapples – I like following Cyn all year round, but she’s especially fun to follow at Christmastime. She does her own review of all the movies and posts followers’ reviews too. She’s also doing some giveaways this year.
Who? Weekly – If you haven’t heard of Who? Weekly, their slogan is “Everything you need to know about the celebrities you don’t.” Bobby and Lindsey are sure to cover all your made for tv Christmas needs. Here’s their 2019 episode.
Hallmark Dating Show Sketch – SNL
NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour – 12/6/18 – ‘Tis The Season: We Talk Hallmark Holiday Movies
Finally this worksheet that helps you write the plot of your own pandemic “Hallmark” movie (source unknown)
Currently: Wishing you a plot line that doesn’t heavily rely on being related to Santa
Bedelia 