don't go to Christmas Town without tissues | B

Hallmark Channel Premiere | December 1, 2019

Touching? Yes. But now I've got to watch something funny so I can go to sleep with happy thoughts.

In this movie, Lauren leaves Boston for a new teaching position in Springfield, but she gets detoured to Grandon Falls, a small town that loves Christmas. There, she meets love interest Travis, makes some lifelong friends, and finds a new job - all within 30 seconds. During the movie, we find out that Lauren spent her entire childhood in foster care, and in Grandon Falls, she meets a young boy who is also a foster child. In addition, she discovers multiple connections to her dad, who passed away when she was six. Throughout the movie, she reads letters that her dad wrote for each birthday, knowing that he wouldn't be there to celebrate with her.

Part of me really liked this movie. This was the part that likes to feel sad and overly emotional. The part of me that wanted a lighthearted, fun Christmas movie? Well, that part was seriously disappointed. You see- there are two kinds of Christmas movies: fun and silly ones that make us laugh, and serious ones that make us feel things. Christmas Town is definitely the latter. As such, it's a good movie. Just don't watch it with any expectation of breaking out the eggnog.

Hallmark gets an A on: Candace Cameron Bure; the cat (because dogs get all of the Hallmark love); tree decorating; faith element; the Christmas cafe; foster care/adoption storyline

Hallmark gets a D on: breaking up by letter; tugging a bit too hard at the heartstrings

Grade: B

* Note Grading Scale:

A = This is seriously a good movie. It will remain on my DVR for the season.

B = Totally exceeded my expectations. I'm happy to recommend.

C = This is an average Hallmark movie. Good holiday fun.

D = I'm disappointed... but I watched it. Why not?

F = I actually had a hard time getting through this one. And that says a lot.