Unwrapping Christmas x4 (2024)
No, these aren’t Disney Princess glamour shots
Originally released as part of the Hallmark+ lineup (only available in the U.S. during 2024’s Countdown to Christmas), this quartet of movies follows 4 friends who own and work at a gift-wrapping shop. They started as college roommates whose senior thesis was this store and now, lo and behold, they have resounding success from their efforts. HOW there is enough business to sustain this endeavour is really where we need to suspend reality for these movies. Like exactly how many gifts need custom wrapping (and custom-printed wrapping paper!) on a daily basis that necessitates a full-time accountant, marketing pro, etc. Oh, and they are each independently “experts” in specific wrapping styles / bows.
Each movie follows a separate friend on her journey to love, obvs, before culminating in their joint appearance at the local benefit event where they each compete in some kind of competitive wrapping which - of course - they win! Even with crooked tape placement.
They all incorporate some of the go-to tropes with fairly minor conflict along the way. I think of the 4, I preferred the last one (Olivia’s Reunion)… maybe because of the fantastic log cabin that served as the setting for 90% of the movie. Beyond that, these aren’t all that great, firmly serving up Hallmark’s C-list talent (which tells you something). Some of the common tropes that show up:
Single, widowed dad
Gift wrapping sequences
Something to “save” - the benefit gala
Competitive gift wrapping, or a “specialization in bows” WTF
A secret prince/rich local business scion
A fake engagement
Cookie baking montages
Realizing that the tycoon is a dud and it’s the lowly writer she (Lily) really loves
Former loves stuck together
A snowstorm that closes roads and bridges (there is ALWAYS a bridge involved) but never seems to accumulate on hair or front steps
Romantasy - if this wasn’t Hallmark, this could have really gotten good…
Filmed in Canada (Ottawa)
#1 - Tina’s Miracle: Successful gift-wrapping shop owner Tina is in charge of planning this year's annual Christmas gala. But things begin to go awry when the gala faces cancellation due to a scrooge-like estate owner. Starring Natalie Hall and Alec Santos.
#2 - Mia’s Prince: Mia (Davis), an accountant at All Wrapped Up, is stunned when local celebrity Beau Cavannagh (Witte), who looks just like her favorite romance novel hero, enters her life. Despite her doubts, Beau, an heir to a wealthy family, proves his feelings for her are real, even as his family disapproves. Mia soon finds herself swept up in a fairytale romance that’s straight out of her dreams. Starring Kathryn Davis and Nathan Witte.
#3 - Lily’s Destiny: Lily (Newbrough), the marketing guru of All Wrapped Up, believes the universe guides us to our destiny and it appears that it’s guiding her toward a celebrity realtor. However, when she feels an unexpected spark with journalist Sean Whitlock (Coombs) during an interview, her heart starts to question everything. As her chemistry with Sean grows, Lily begins to wonder if he's the true match she’s been waiting for all along. Starring Ashley Newbrough and Torrance Coombs.
#4 - Olivia’s Reunion: Olivia (Busby), the gift-wrapping expert at All Wrapped Up, makes a delivery to a remote cabin only to find her ex-boyfriend Benjamin (Epstein) on the other side of the door. After the pair have a minor spat, an unexpected storm traps them together. Neither of them is happy to be forced to spend time together. However as talk turns to shared memories, old feelings and warmth begins to resurface and they are left wondering if it’s possible to get it right a second time. Starring Cindy Busby and Jake Epstein.
