Christmas Movie Guide

Angel of Christmas

Angel of Christmas is a 2015 Hallmark movie.

Angel of Christmas has become a staple in our annual viewing. The storyline is a little different to the predictable boy meets girl over eggnog that we’ve come to expect, which keeps you going right to the end. It has everything you need; Christmas tree lot scene, log cabin scene, decorating the tree with the parents scene and don’t forget the succumbing to the festive coffee with the token Asian barista. This remains in the ‘crappy Christmas movie’ genre as her facial expressions are at times forced, the Angel is down-right scary and the text on her laptop is really big! This movie is about challenging your assumptions about how your life should be and is completely worth viewing.

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Matt’s Extra Trimmings

Angel of Christmas is a delightful little Christmas movie that manages to tick just about all the boxes: relentless gentle snowfall, Christmas themed coffees, softly focused sparkly backgrounds and a male lead with sensational hair. Even better, it has a few romantic twists that go against the common Christmas movie grain.

The real star of the show, however, is a hand carved wooden angel that, for lack of a better term, is haunted. One might say it’s filled with Christmas magic, I say it’s a straight up poltergeist! Nevertheless, this creepy haunted angel is the beating heart and soul of the movie and by the end, I grew rather fond of it and it’s mildly terrifying face. As the angel guides us on a journey self discovery and breaking out of the boxes we so very neatly put ourselves in, I couldn’t help but smile be uplifted.

As the leading lady embarks on her journey to finally accept that wonderfully delicious Christmas coffee, a wonderfully mysterious love story unfolds. Angel of Christmas is just the right fit for an evening’s viewing with a warm drink by a beautifully decorated tree.

Switched For Christmas

Switched for Christmas a 2017 Hallmark movie

Not knowing anything about this movie before going into it, we were very pleasantly surprised by its warm and wholesome Christmas spirit. This film takes the good old trope of identical twins swapping lives and gives it some holiday magic. Candace Cameron Bure is her usual charming self, yet the romantic chemistry leaves a little to be desired. Overall, this is a cosy and cheerful Crappy Christmas movie that fits in nicely to the build up of the holiday season.

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Candace Cameron Bure

Matt’s Extra Trimmings

It’s a special thing going into a Crappy Christmas movie cold, without knowing what you’re in for. Sometimes it’s a true winner, other times, a lump of coal. Fortunately, Switched for Christmas was a charming and delightful film. I’m a sucker for a good switcheroonie and with this movie I got that in the most delightful ways.

Candace Cameron Bure plays a set of identical twins whose lives have drifted further apart than Christmas is from Easter. The twins in question both have a thing or two to learn about appreciation, empathy and counting their blessings. Throw in some mistaken identity high jinx and a relentlessly positive tone and what you have here is a deliciously familiar feast for your Christmas soul. While it may not have immediately become a classic Crappy Christmas Movie, it certainly is one that left me feeling all warm and toasty inside.

Fir Crazy (aka O Christmas Tree)

Fir Crazy (otherwise known as O Christmas Tree) is a 2013 Hallmark movie.

My husband and I are slightly divided on this movie. He feels that discovering this movie is like discovering your Christmas spirit. For him, this movie is essential Christmas movie watching. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is a solid Crappy Christmas movie. You won’t go wrong if you choose to watch it, but my Christmas spirit isn’t linked directly to this movie. It’s a good one with plenty of laughs, Colin Mochrie is a brilliant bad guy and Bob is my favourite character. This one fits perfectly in the sweet spot of the ‘Crappy Christmas movie’ genre and I’d recommend it to anyone.

Matt’s Extra Trimmings

Since the first time seeing this movie in 2013, this tale of trees and the fragile seedlings of love has planted itself deep inside the heart of my Christmas spirit. A Christmas without it is like a Christmas without cinnamon scented candles. Fir Crazy is an absolute staple when it comes to Crappy Christmas movies.

With acting that is comforting and by no means cringe-worthy, the central plot about reconnecting with your past and finding your joy cozily bubbles away like a warm pot of hot chocolate. Colin Mochrie provides a despicable foil for the main character, challenging her growth at every turn, forcing her to face who she was and rediscover her own Christmas joy.

Christmas time in New York, a family business under threat, a heroine who has lost her way and a whole lot of Christmas trees make this a Crappy Christmas move that I am absolutely crazy for.

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Colin Mochrie

A Very Merry Toy Store

A Very Merry Toy Store is a 2017 Lifetime movie

Wow. This movie is unbelievable. We were really anticipating good things with this one; I mean Melissa Joan Hart in a Christmas movie – what’s not to love? Turns out. A lot. I wasn’t able to suspend my disbelief, no Christmassy feeling and not even proper plinky-plonky music. Don’t do it, don’t watch it. Sorry Melissa.

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Christmas with a View

The title doesn’t fit the story at all. Good levels of mystery from the leading male kept us going through this movie but [spoiler alert] the mystery is underwhelming. The speed of their romance terrified me and made we want to run for the hills, but that may be my own baggage. It’s an uncomfortable movie; their relationship, the cinematography and the body-rolling. Skip this one.

Did you love this movie? Tell us your thoughts!

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The Christmas Train

The Christmas Train is a 2017 Hallmark movie.

A weird film with an impressive cast for a ‘crappy Christmas movie’. Joan Cusack saves it with her wonderful quirkiness; you love her in every scene. The drama and mystery does not drive it but there are plenty of surprises in this movie that keep you watching…in disbelief. The phrase ‘I did not see that coming’ was uttered several times throughout!

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Joan Cusack

The Holiday Calendar

The Holiday Calendar is a 2018 Netflix movie

An inspiring Christmas movie of average budget. It has a good hook to spice up a simple storyline within a less stereotypical romance. Good music throughout with really enjoyable characters and a lovely ending. Only a couple of cringe-worthy moments and it really bothers me when she wears her fancy Italian boots in the snow. This one’s becoming a regular!

Have you seen it? What did you think? Did you spot the little Netflix Easter Egg? Apparently they’re all trying to link up in a Netflix Christmas universe!

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Holiday Rush

Holiday Rush is a 2019 Netflix movie

Holiday Rush is a solid combination of holiday spirit, romance and family union. Sonequa Martin-Green has amazing depth as always and Amarr M Wooten gives you the genuine feels. We had plenty to say throughout this movie as the characters embark on their journey; there was only one cringe-worthy moment but we smiled plenty all the way along. Not sure it will become an annual favourite but we really enjoyed it.

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Sonequa Martin-Green
Amarr M Wooten

Christmas Inheritance

Christmas Inheritance is a 2017 Netflix movie.

Upon first watch, this movie makes you cringe. Upon third watch, you love this movie in the same way you love your sweatpants. It’s wonderfully predictable with a real douche-bag villain and some inspiring community vibes. My favourite moments are when dull writing is spiced up with exaggerated facial expressions- love it!!

Definitely worth a viewing for the Daymonds; what do you think?

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Matt’s Extra Trimmings

Christmas Inheritance is the full roast dinner of Crappy Christmas Movies: Big city girl goes to small country town to find her Christmas spirit. It comes complete with a plaid wearing, wood chopping , heart broken love interest whose kind heart fills your own with warmth. The wonderful predictability of this movie is what makes it truly comfortable and enjoyable. It’s like all of your favourite Christmas traditions wrapped up in a neat little Netflix bow. The journey to Christmas is most definately incomplete without a viewing of this classic.