Best movie of this year hands down!

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

This one is no different. Hallmark churns these out like they have an assembly line. Grab a producer; then a director. Look thru the inventory of available actors (they pretty much use the same pool of about 25) and take the next three in the queue and book them. Make sure at least the producer or the screen writer and one of the movie leads is from Canada. That way you get the tax breaks from the Canadian Film Commission. That's why They shoot these in Canada. This one takes place in Klaus, Wisconsin? Don't think so. Doesn't exist. Unfortunately, they shoot their Christmas movies (like this one) in July and August. Hardly the snow season, hence the wet streets, free of snow and the fake stuff sitting on bushes and sidewalks. In this one, stock footage is used for wide shots of snow-covered towns and forests, except where the son is finding and cutting his first tree. Look at his feet and you can see the soap suds blowing around his feet. Hallmark does shoot some of its movies in cold locations, where you can actually see the actor's breath frosting as they speak. The movie "Christmas Cookies" is a good example, but that was shot in Utah.Nothing new happens in this movie. There are no surprises and there really is no drama. You know exactly what's going to happen and it does. Slight twist at the end, but nothing that's going to make you spill your milk and cookies while you watch. The only technical glitch was when he showed her the initials carved in the tree by his parents some 30 odd years ago. Just as clear and crisp as if they have just been carved, when, in reality, the chemical makeup of the tree would have treated that carving as a wound to its bark and would have secreted a chemical to heal itself, and after 30 years, made the carving unrecognizable.But hey, it's Hallmark, and if you watch the credits roll, the one crew member you don't see is a continuity director.BTW, it's "Fair", not "Fare". 'Fare' is a fee you pay for travel. And "Steal", not "Steel." 'Steel' is what you get when you add carbon to molten iron.

I enjoyed watching this and I recommend it for anyone looking for a typical feel-good Hallmark movie. The leads have chemistry together and the supporting characters were enjoyable to watch. Some thought went into writing the script and there wasn't a lot of "stuff" that didn't make sense or was a ridiculous stretch. Granted, the choosing of a Christmas tree for a large city tree lighting starts 6-9 months, in advance, but who cares ... it's Hallmark. Most of us know what to expect in a Hallmark Christmas movie and the viewers get that ending. The towns that Hallmark uses to film in are usually super cute. I was a little disappointed with this filming location: it could have used more decorations. The snow falling scenes appear to be digitally added and there didn't seem to be a blue sky anywhere, which is a good thing. I did find it interesting that people were running around wearing sweaters, only, in December Wisconsin weather, though.

I really liked the story of the McNary family and Holly was a sweetheart who fit right in. The tree was so special to the family and it was a tough decision that turned out perfectly. Holly and Sam clicked immediately and had great chemistry. It was great to see Marc Blucas in another Christmas movie, he always plays a wonderful romantic hero.

This review contains spoilers in the general sense, but really if you don't know where this movie is going you have not watched Halmark.Hallmark Christmas 2017 is off to a good start, better than last year, and this movie continues the above average trend.When looking at a the Hallmark Christmas movie genre I have four factors that I consider One, is the romance believable. I fault that here. I don't see this couple working out (she likes the kid and the town more than him really) and while they have some good dialogue I think long term she will be his second ex-wife. I think their eventual divorce might make a good Lifetime movie for the sequel.Two, is it funny. I thought it was funny though not hilarious in parts.Three, how did it incorporate Christmas. I thought it was beautifully done as far as the decorations and the town, but slightly sappy as to the sentiment. I also thought the way the conundrum of the tree was resolved was a twist and nice.Four, how do the minor and subplots add or subtract to the movie? While it had some nice characters (all on her side) to round out the story there was no real secondary story in which to be interested.All told it was certainly very watchable and a definite cut above a lot of the Christmas movies. Ms. D'Orsay carries the movie to that point but the rest of the cast and the rigid adherence to the Halmark Christmast plot (cute kid wants new mom and wise parent tries to be matchmaker with a silly misunderstanding keeping them apart) keep it from being one of the top tier of Halmark Christmas.