gift of love (part 2)
Last year I publicly confessed my secret shame – the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day they run on a loop, like my own personal elevator Muzak, spinning their soothing, comforting, generic tales of set-in-the-snow happily ever-afters.
Oh, I’ve cheated a bit. In the dark, on my computer, I’ve dabbled with some Netflix Christmas knockoffs, mostly when I should have been working. I’m admittedly sappy and love any kind of romantic gesture. In fact, I was in the middle of writing this when our family had its own Hallmark moment: My nephew surprised his girlfriend with a proposal. (Spoiler alert: She said yes!) But there’s nothing like the original Hallmark Channel to ramp up my holiday spirit. Celebrate the Festival of Lights? There’s two Hannukah-themed movies scheduled for next year. There’s even an app that lets me keep track of the 37 new movies on their docket for 2018.
But I’m in good company. For me and the nearly 90 million other Hallmark viewers there’s a lot to like this year. Need a break from watching? Download a free book, Christmas in Evergreen, from Hallmark Publishing. Want to try your hand at writing? Hallmark encourages submissions here. Looking for employment in the new year? With women comprising 83 percent of all employees and 75 percent of its board members, Forbes ranks Hallmark the third-best company in America to work for if you’re a woman.
Hallmark’s movies feature strong female characters with their own careers, minds and dreams of having it all. So I feel guilt-free watching “The Shoe Addict’s Christmas.” Again. Now that’s holiday spirit!