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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How Many Of These Trivia Questions From Hallmark's "Holly & Ivy" Can You Answer Correctly?

Starring:  Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan, and Marisol Nichols

Released:  2020

Summary:  When Nina's illness returns, her neighbor promises to keep her kids, Holly and Ivy, together and must renovate her new fixer-upper with the help of a contractor.

Janel Parrish and Jeremy Jordan make a cute couple in Hallmark's Holly & Ivy
Image: Crown Media

The House In "Holly & Ivy" Recently Sold!

Some people buy fixer-uppers because they don't have enough money to buy something newer, but others buy them because they love making an old house look new again.  

If you have the money, resources, and know-how, there's something very satisfying about restoring an old home to its former glory.

Melody Knapp (Janel Parrish) buys a house she can afford.  She's unemployed, but she has a library science degree and hopes to land her dream job soon.  In the meantime, she tackles all the home improvements she can within her limited budget.

https://www.hollyjollyromances.com/2021/04/blog-post.html
Lucky for Melody, she starts dating Adam Yeager (Jeremy Jordan), so thanks to him and all the townspeople she befriends, everyone lends a hand to bring her home up to code in time for the inspection--a step in the process required to gain guardianship of Holly and Ivy.

Melody's house has such beautiful architecture, fireplaces, woodwork, and wall coverings you often don't see in newer homes.  The house was built in 1900 on a .44 acre lot and boasts 2,478 square feet with three bedrooms and 1.5 baths.  The home was designed by prominent architect, William Allen, and is listed in Utah's National Register of Historic Places. 

The home used in Holly & Ivy was already impeccably restored, but the crew covered things with plywood and newspaper to make it look like a fixer-upper. Image: Crown Media

The home was used commercially for over 30 years but has been fully restored and updated to be a family dwelling once again.  If you live in Kaysville, Utah, you can glimpse this house at 472 Main Street. 

Even though it sold, you can still take a Virtual Tour of this gorgeous, period home.  


Some Dreams Take A Little Time

Unlike other Hallmark movies where the leading characters land promotions and accomplish their career aspirations by the end of the movie, Holly & Ivy is a little more realistic.  

Melody doesn't give up on her dream of being a librarian or running her own bookmobile, nor does Adam scrap his idea of building furniture, but they have to put their long-term goals on the backburner temporarily.

Melody is only 27 when she takes responsibility for Holly & Ivy.  Image: Crown Media

The library has made significant cuts in their operating budget, so Melody takes a data entry job to provide for herself and the girls until something opens up for her.  Adam wins the bid on a lucrative city contract to build his assets until he can afford to focus his time and energy on carpentry work. 

The sacrifices both characters make more closely parallels real life for the rest of us.  Unless you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth, dreams "take a little time," as Melody wisely states.  You start at the bottom and work your way up.

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