REVIEW: The Hallmark Sequel "Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up" Is as Silly as the First One

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Emily and Jared are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together as a couple, and they prepare to work with their neighbors on Evergreen Lane to make this year's Christmas celebrations the best yet.  When a house on the block goes up for sale, the soon-to-be-neighbors are holiday royalty, but they are so competitive that they nearly ruin Christmas for everyone. Starring:   Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Ellen Travolta, Melissa Peterman, Seth Morris, and Jennifer Aspen Image:  Hallmark Media Haul Out the Holly:  Lit Up Has a Moral When the residents of Evergreen Lane learn that their new neighbors are the Jolly Johnsons--famous holiday reality stars--they are thrilled to welcome them to the block.  Everyone assumes the Johnsons will fit right in since they share their same affinity for elf culture. Emily, Jared, and the rest of the holiday crew quickly realize that the Johnsons aren't interested in joining in on the fun--they plan to take over. Image:  Tw
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What's Your Take on Candy Canes? Hallmark's Merry & Bright

Starring:  Jodie Sweetin and Andrew Walker

Released:  2019

 Summary:  A company's CEO meets a man during the Christmas season who she assumes is the one her mother wants to set her up with, but he turns out to be from a corporate recovery firm.
Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC

Where is the Candy Cane Capital of the World?

Merry & Bright takes place in the fictional town of Britewell, Ohio.  Being an Ohio resident myself, I am delighted our state earns a place in the Hallmark Christmas hall of fame, even though the movie was actually filmed in Winnipeg.  

Spangler Candy is a company located in northwestern Ohio, in the city of Bryan, a city once considered the candy cane capital of the world--until half of the production moved to Mexico.  


Cate Merriweather tells the story of how the Merry & Bright company was birthed.  Cate's grandmother was inspired by a story of a German choirmaster who needed something to keep the children singers quiet during a long church service, so he gave them candy canes that were hooked to look like a shepherd's staff.  According to the National Confectioners Association, this legend is a true account.

There's another Ohio tie-in, but it's not mentioned in the movie:  August Imgard was a German immigrant who moved to Wooster, Ohio.  Imgard is credited by some as the one responsible for introducing the Christmas tree into the United States, along with using candy canes for decoration.

Is there a National Candy Cane Day like Cate mentions in the movie?  Yes, it actually falls on December 26.  If you ask me, it sounds like the perfect excuse for stores to unload all of their after-Christmas candy cane inventory by offering half-off discounts to celebrate!



Would You Eat Different Flavored Candy Canes All Year?

Even though the Merry & Bright company is struggling, Cate refuses to diversify and become a chocolate candy company, despite Gabe's urging.  She determinedly sticks to her grandmother's vision to capture the love and feel of Christmas through the candy cane.  

Cate pages through her grandma's old cookbook and discovers new candy cane recipes that can be marketed year-round, in addition to joining the annual Christmas line.  

Some of these candy cane flavors include eggnog, french toast, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, key lime, sugar plum, and gingerbread.  

According to statistics in the real world, 90% of candy cane sales occur between Thanksgiving and New Year's.  Sorry, Cate, but no one wants candy canes outside of that holiday window.  

How about you?



Have You Ever Rescued a Pet?

Hallmark is big on pet adoption, which is why they offer an Adoption Ever After program to help reduce pet homelessness.

The scruffy little dog featured in Merry & Bright is actually a pet rescue named Wilson.  His owner is a dog trainer, and this movie catapulted him to fame.  He even has fans on Twitter!  You can read his story here.

 Cate has had her eye on a dog at the shelter, but someone adopts him before she gets the chance.  Turns out, her mom, Joy, rescues the little fella and tries to hide him until she can surprise Cate with the gift at the Christmas Jubilee.

 Thus begins the crazy and erratic behavior of Cate's mom.  The viewer knows she's hiding a great secret, but the bizarre way she covers her tracks is unnatural and downright crazy.

Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC

Where Did You Get Engaged?

Gabe takes Cate to a lovely dinner at the Elegant Elk.  At first, Cate is a little uncomfortable, and we learn it's due to her boyfriend, Josh, proposing to her at that very restaurant nearly one year ago.  She had told him no, so why she is bothered about being there makes no sense.  

 Still, when Pete drags his feet on proposing to Sophie, Cate intervenes and tells him to choose a location that means something special to the two of them.  Pete chooses the fireplace at the inn where they first kissed to pop the question.  Sophie is happy she received the diamond instead of the mountain bike Pete originally had for her.  

 Gabe proposes to Cate near the conveyor belt of her candy store.  How romantic--not!

 If you're married, think back to the time and place your spouse proposed.  Share your story in the comment section!
Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC

A Funny Hallmark Podcast

Most of us Hallmark Christmas fans gloss over irregularities in these sweet movies and just savor the romance.  Merry & Bright, delightful as it is, is filled with such moments, and our friends, Sarah and Nicole, break them down in an insightful and humorous way in their weekly podcast.  For instance, why didn't Gabe take Cate to a famous landmark when she visited New York?  And what happened to Gary from Akron?  You can click hear to listen to their light-hearted analysis.  

 If you aren't already in our Facebook group, we would love for you to join us!  Find us here:


#Hallmarkchannel  #CountdownToChristmas

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