Christmas is quickly approaching and while I’m not exactly ready for it, I am ready for Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas!

If you’re unfamiliar, Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas is an annual original holiday movie marathon that takes place on the Hallmark Channel & Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Each year, Hallmark transforms into a 24-7 TV movie channel that provides us with an abundance of original Christmas movies.  The countdown begins early this year considering Hallmark is blessing us with a whopping 31 NEW & original movies! Yes, you read that right… thirty-one BRAND NEW Hallmark Christmas movies! 

While binge-watching Hallmark Christmas movies is a tradition in my home, I realize that Hallmark movies aren’t popular with everyone. Some people think they’re too cheesy. Others believe they’re far-fetched, unoriginal, or silly. But, I absolutely adore them. Sure, most Hallmark movies don’t have an award-winning plot. But, Hallmark’s made-for-TV movies have many elements other movies don’t. There’s just something genuine about them that keeps me tuning in every year.

Whether you love to hate them or hate that you love them, here are 7 reasons why I shamelessly watch Hallmark holiday movies.

1.They get me in the holiday spirit. 🎄⛄️

Nothing says Christmas like baking cookies, drinking hot cocoa and winding down with a Hallmark movie.  Through the stress that the holidays often bring, Hallmark movies are a breath of fresh air. They get you pumped for the holiday season by reminding you what Christmas is really about.

However, just like in the real-world, Hallmark movie characters are guilty of getting caught up in the materialism of Christmas. A movie may begin with a character on the hunt for the perfect gift, but by the end… the character (and you) realize that the perfect gift isn’t worth chasing after. Despite the push of consumerism in our society, the perfect gift isn’t a cashmere sweater or the latest iPhone. The perfect gift is the togetherness that the holiday brings.  Although, that doesn’t mean you can’t reasonably spoil your loved ones! It’s just a wonderful reminder that the holidays are meant to be a joyful time of year not a stressful time of year.

2. They make me feel more human.

Hallmark holiday movies have this tendency of making me feel more human. While I realize that the characters are fictional, the lives’ of these characters are often very relatable to a wide range of people. All of Hallmark’s holiday movies focus on the essence of Christmas but they consist of a variety of plots. Some of these plots include the woman/man who’s down on their luck, the bitter and lonely grump, the financially struggling mother, the bachelors/bachelorettes who are unlucky in love, etc.

Whatever the storyline is, Hallmark movies always tug at my heartstrings. They have the power to move me in unimaginable ways. I can’t even count how many times a Hallmark movie has brought me to tears. The characters and the situations are so emotionally involving. They put my empathy to work by giving me the opportunity to step out of my life and see life from someone else’s perspective.

Lastly, the value of Hallmark holiday movies is their ability to affect our emotions in a raw and pure manner. Many modern movies don’t have the ability to strongly affect our emotions or they do so by the use of excessively graphic material, but Hallmark holiday movies easily illustrate a meaningful message in a genuine way.

3. They give me hope.

Hallmark movies present the imperfect lives of characters who don’t have the best of everything but make the best of what they have. It isn’t unusual for me to see myself or someone I know through the eyes of a Hallmark character. These characters may not exist in the real world but the life circumstances involving them do.

However, the true beauty of Hallmark movies is that we get to see the beginning and the end of a catastrophe. These characters go through some awful hardships, but things always turn out okay and often for the better. While real-world misfortunes aren’t always resolved as they are in a Hallmark movie, they are eventually resolved. This is why Hallmark movies are a great reminder to maintain hope and push through life. Things may not always go our way, but if we allow ourselves a happy ending… we will get one.

Hallmark movies also reestablish hope by illustrating how far a positive attitude and acts of kindness can go. No, I don’t think Santa will send my soulmate on a reindeer to whisk me away into the sky. (Okay, maybe I do a little bit) But, the smaller sentiments in Hallmark movies renew my hope of goodness in the world. And, these many acts of kindness inspire me to do the same for others. They also make me more aware of and appreciative of the small acts of kindness that occur in my life.

4. They’re imaginative.

Hallmark holiday movies make me think of a world of possibilities. Just like Disney movies tap into our imagination, Hallmark movies use many elements of creativity that inspire us to imagine the impossible. Most adults know Santa as a fictitious character created to keep children on their best behavior. But in a Hallmark movie, Santa can bring even the most skeptical adult a Christmas miracle. And if it isn’t Santa, it’s one of his helpers! An elf can throw pixie dust on you and guide you to your one true love.  Nothing is off limits in a Hallmark movie! I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy the feeling of believing in the impossible…even for a moment.  And, what better time to believe in magic than during the most magical time of year?!

5. They’re comforting.

Hallmark movies are a great escape from the sometimes harsh and awful reality. With all that happens in our world, Hallmark movies provide me a sense of comfort. In my bleakest moments, they allow me to visualize the world as a mostly decent place.  While I don’t turn a blind eye to all that is wrong in the world, it’s nice to take a break from it once in a while.

6. They remind me of my childhood.

Hallmark movies contain so much innocence. And truth be told, the older I get, the more I long for my childhood. Thankfully, Hallmark movies give me a small piece of my childhood every year. They do this not only by encouraging me to believe in magic and miracles but by reconnecting me with some of my favorite actors from my childhood.

Many of my celebrity childhood favorites have appeared in Hallmark holiday movies. Tamera Mowry-Housley (Tamera from Sister Sister), Jodie Sweetin ( Stephanie from Full House), and Lacey Chabert(Gretchen from Mean Girls) have all appeared in multiple Hallmark holiday movies. They are all also on the list for 2022’s Hallmark holiday movies! 

Some other childhood favorites such as Emily Osment (Lilly from Hannah Montana), Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), and Tia Mowry-Hardrict (Tia from Sister, Sister) have reprised roles in  Hallmark’s original holiday movies in the past. These familiar faces and childhood favorites make Hallmark holiday movies even more enjoyable to watch.

7.They’re adorable.

There’s no denying the cuteness level of Hallmark movies.  Personally, I can’t watch one without saying “Aww” at least a dozen times. There’s just something so lovely about watching two characters go from resenting each other to falling madly in love. It’s also heartwarming watching an unexpected Christmas miracle take place for those who deserve it most. From the charming characters to the warm and fuzzy plots, everything about Hallmark holiday movies screams adorable!

Tis’ the season of Hallmark holiday movies! I don’t know about you, but my DVR is set and I’m ready to tune in. For the reasons above, I no longer consider watching Hallmark holiday movies a “guilty” pleasure. It’s a pleasure nonetheless, but it isn’t a pleasure I feel the least bit guilty about! Hallmark Christmas movies are a holiday treasure I find joy in watching every year.

So, the next time you make yourself or others feel guilty for indulging in Hallmark movies, you should reconsider what they stand for. Hallmark movies may seem silly, but they’re more valuable than most people realize.