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

Image
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

Let's Talk Hallmark's "A Wish for Christmas" & Take a QUIZ on the Movie!

Starring:  Lacey Chabert and Paul Greene

Released:  2016

Summary:  An office worker watches silently as her idea for a Christmas sales initiative is stolen and then gets a visit from Santa, who asks her to make a wish.

Image:  Crown Media

What Would You Wish For?

Sarah Thomas is tired of people taking advantage of her.  Her boss, Dirk, just stole her idea--in fact, he passes 85% of her work off as his own.  Even her best friend, Molly, expects Sarah to bring everyone coffee each morning, and she passes her job assignments on to Sarah's capable hands, telling Sarah to view it as a compliment.

When Sarah bumps into Santa at Peter's office party, Santa gives her a special gift:  she can make any wish she wants, and it will last for 48 hours.  It's the icing on the cake of her bad day of downers.  Instead of getting a gift certificate for a spa day, she gets what she thinks is a useless wish.  To humor Santa, who keeps pressing her for an answer, Sarah wishes for courage--to be brave, fearless, and able to stand up for herself.

Sarah's wish reveals a lot about her character.  Instead of asking for material possessions, true love, or money, she asks for a trait that would help her become a better person.


How many of us would do that same?  Probably not too many.  In the comment section below, share what YOU would wish for if there were a Santa who could make it come true.

To prove the validity of Santa's gift, the gift card keeps a countdown of the hours remaining on her wish.

Even after her wish expires, Sarah decides she doesn't want to go back to the way she was. She likes the new her--a nice person who has learned to boldly stand up for herself make herself heard, all while retaining her charm, integrity, and inner goodness.

What Part of Your Personality Needs a Little Help?

Sarah is shy and passive, which makes her a doormat.  

What about you?  If there were something about your personality you'd like to change, what would it be?  You can answer in the comment section.

For me, I would like to be better at showing love to others, especially those who disagree with me.  I am the opposite of Sarah--I have no trouble standing up for myself and expressing my opinions, but it is sometimes more of a liability than an asset, depending on the situation.

Once Sarah makes being braver a habit, she's able to maintain this positive change in her life.  No matter what aspect of your personality needs a little adjusting, there's good news for you--you don't need a magical wish from Santa to become a better person.  Don't make excuses for yourself like, "that's just how I am," when you are in desperate need of a personality adjustment.  


Who Loves a Little Christmas Magic?

Mostly absent from Hallmark's 2019 line up were movies with a little Christmas magic, like what we see in A Wish for Christmas. Maybe some people consider elves, the North Pole, Santa, and magic too fantastical to be included in a romance.  I don't know about you, but I miss it!  A lot of the older Hallmark Christmas movies had the perfect combination of love and Christmas magic .  

What do you think?  Should Hallmark include more Christmas magic in their movies than they did in 2019?  Take the poll below!

survey tool

Keeping Peace in the Family

Sarah is surprised to learn their meeting with Wilson Taylor is in Peter's hometown of White Ridge.  Instead of being excited to be home and see everyone, Peter tries to avoid the family entirely, but Sarah intervenes.

Peter and his father haven't spoken for two years.  As Peter joins his mom and aunt for cookie baking, hot cocoa, and finding the annual tree, tension is in the air because Peter's dad refuses to join them.

Do you have drama in your family, too?  The bigger the family, the more drama there is, it seems.

Sarah tries to make peace between the two Williams men.  She shares how close she had been with her father before he passed away six years previously.  When emotions are charged and two people are stubborn, like Peter and his father, unforgiveness can take root and tear apart the family.  We don't know how many days we have to live on this Earth.  If we don't make peace when we have the chance, it might be too late and leave us with deep regret.  This is the message Sarah manages to get these men to understand, and they finally make amends.  Another Christmas miracle!

People Like Wilson Taylor Exist

Most of us don't live in the dog-eat-dog corporate world like Wilson Taylor--the man whose account Peter is desperate to acquire.  Can you even imagine treating people the way he does in this movie?  It happens in real life.  Some people are arrogant and full of themselves once they are successful.  Humility is a virtue more should possess.

Wilson Taylor plays a cat-and-mouse game with people.  He sets up meetings he doesn't plan to attend, requires clients to jump through hoops and be inconvenienced based on his whims, and disrespectfully talks into an ear piece when he should be focused on his meeting with Sarah and Peter.

How rude!

Sarah calls Taylor on the carpet for being the jerk he is.  Initially, he doesn't appreciate receiving a dose of his own medicine, but in the end, Sarah's persistence pays off and she sways him to give Peter his account.  

Just goes to show even overbearing jerks don't really respect door mats.  They respect people who will stand up to them.  No matter how rich or successful a person becomes, we should always aim to treat others the way we want to be treated.


Own It On DVD!

A Wish for Christmas is available on DVD and Prime Video!  Any movie with Lacey Chabert is always a keeper, so be sure to add this one to your collection, if you don't already own it.


Join Our Facebook Group!

If you aren't already a member of our Facebook group, we invite you to join us for Hallmark Christmas movie discussions, trivia polls, schedules, fun facts, and contests! 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Merry Movie Week 2023 Printable Schedule

Did MacFarlane & Patterson Really Play Their Instruments in "Chateau Christmas?" Find Out!

REVIEW: Why Hallmark's "Never Been Chris'd" Is Such a Flop

Hallmark Channel's Christmas in July 2023 Printable Movie Schedule

Review: Hallmark's "Joyeux Noel" Is a Good Story with a Bad Casting Choice

Hallmark's "Haul Out the Holly" Is Simultaneously Entertaining & Disappointing

Review: Hallmark's "Where Are You, Christmas?" Is a Shot at Creativity that Falls Short

Hallmark's "Mystic Christmas" Starts Off Great Before Taking a Hard Left Turn

It's No Wonder Hallmark's "Christmas Waltz" Was the #1 Most Watched Original Movie Premiere for 2020!

Review: "Ms. Christmas Comes to Town" Is Sad but Poignant