The Vampire Diaries Comes to an End

After 8 seasons of vampires, doppelgangers, witches, werewolves, vampire hunters, and hybrids The Vampire Diaries will end tonight. We started this journey in 2009 with the mysterious Stefan and Damon Salvatore coming to town and changing the lives of our beloved Elena, Bonnie, Caroline, Jeremy, Tyler, and Matt. We have lost so many characters throughout this series, many were beloved and others we cheered on as they died. This show has constantly pulled us in and ripped our hearts up, but it was so worth it.

We have watched these characters grow and mature (ahem Caroline) and yet they have stayed together. No matter what has happened in this group, they have all stuck together. They said goodbye to Alaric together, they gave Caroline a funeral, they have defended one another to the point of dying or nearly dying for their loved ones.

Elena Gilbert has come so far from the sad, whiny girl we knew in season 1. Elena has always been selfless (to a fault), but we have watched her become strong and continue on through the worst tragedies. I'm not sure who has worse luck on this show, Elena or Bonnie.

Caroline Forbes (Salvatore) has come so far from the desperate, jealous, immature, controlling, insecure young woman she was in season 1. After changing into a vampire in season 2, Caroline had to learn how to control her emotions and she is better for it. She has become strong and confident and one of my favorite characters.

Damon Salvatore was our baddie from the start. The bad guy with the heart of gold. Damon was willing to sacrifice everyone for the one he loves- selfish, yes, but sweet? DUH! Damon always went out of his way to protect Elena, even when she didn't love him or couldn't stand him. Damon definitely made plenty of mistakes, but he has transformed into quite the hero.

Stefan Salvatore has grown from the brooding lovelorn vampire hero of season 1 to a happy human. He has been through so much, including living out his ripper side, but he has always worked to protect his friends and his brother. Damon and Stefan have come so far in their relationship.

Honestly, I'm a little afraid to see how this ends. Knowing Julie Plec and her history of gut wrenching deaths (I'm looking at you Jenna, Alaric, Jeremy, Liz, Enzo...) I feel like no one is safe. Katherine is now the Queen of Hell, so who knows what she is going to do. Elena comes back, so is Katherine finally going to kill her? Stefan is a human so he is easy pickings and of course he and Caroline just got married...this is going to be a rough night.

One thing is for certain. I'm going to miss these characters and I am going to miss Mystic Falls. Maybe someday I will forgive Julie Plec for never following through with Klaroline  (WHY JULIE! WHY!?!?) but until that day come there is always fanfiction (RISE KLAROLINE SHIPPERS!). In the end, I will always be grateful that my ultimate TVD ship, Delena, finally got together. It was a rough road, but that is what made it worth it. This ride has been incredible and I have loved spending my Thursdays in Mystic Falls with my friends.

Shadowhunters - Recap "Day of Wrath" (S02E04)

Clary races to the City of Bones to visit with Jace. She makes her way down into the City and is greeted by one of the Silent Brothers. He takes her to Jace who is surprised to see Clary. She says she will do whatever it takes to free him, but Jace tells her that he deserves to be there. He also asks Clary not to visit him again and she is forced to leave. Clary returns to the Institute in time to go out in the field with Alec to investigate a demon attack.

Aldertree brings in Raphael to "discuss" Camille and ends up securing him to a chair and using UV light laser beams to cut into his skin. Poor Raphael. He goes to Magnus who is appalled to see what Aldertree did to him and works on restoring his skin. Simon joins them and they decide to find Camille.

Clary and Alec find a mundane with a hole in their chest and end up finding a young woman who is terrified and confused with blood covering her hand. She has no memory of what's happened to her and Alec and Clary put 2 and 2 together. They bring the body back to the Institute where Izzy is going to do an autopsy, but it appears that the demon needs a living host. Meanwhile Jocelyn shares the news that the Clave is requestign she transfer to Idris. She tells Clary first and asks her to go with her. Clary says she needs to think about it. When Jocelyn tells Luke he says he will go with her and she insists he can't give up his life again for her, then they FINALLY kiss! He says he would go anywhere with her.

Soon the Shadowhunters realize the demon is in the Institute and they go on lock down hunting for it. Raj is taken over by the smoke demon and he viciously goes after Lydia. He is cruel to her and ruthlessly attacks her. Lydia does her best to fight him off, but becomes seriously injured. Alec comes upon them and shoots at Raj, watching the smoke demon leave him and go into the vents. Meanwhile, Izzy and Clary are underground tracking the demon and Izzy asks if Clary is going to Idris. She says she isn't sure yet and Izzy wants her to stay.

Magnus, Simon, and Raphael finally discover what is in the box they took from Camille: her grave dirt. Raphael tells them that a vampire's grave dirt can be used to summon them and the only one who can open her box is Simon, because he has her blood in his veins (thanks to her being his sire). Simon opens the box and there is the dirt. They ask Magnus to use the dirt to summon her, but he is very conflicted about it. He explains to Simon later on that he and Camille are like Simon and Clary. Camille has been there for him through everything and he knows she has gone too far, but it hurts him to think of turning her in. He shares that she saved him from killing himself at one time and Simon begins to see why this decision is so hard for Magnus: he must choose between his best friend/former lover and his vampire foster sons.

Jace is interrogated by Aldertree with the Soul Sword (a sword blessed by the Angel that forces them to tell the truth). Aldertree asks Jace if he can pledge his full allegiance to the Clave and with difficulty Jace admits that he cannot pledge his full allegiance. Aldertree continues to question him, asking him questions about Valentine, and then goes a step further by asking Jace if he has brotherly feelings for Clary. Jace is clearly tortured by this question, but the truth is forced out when he says no. Aldertree looks all too pleased. Jace is returned to his cell and only has nightmares thanks to the Silent Brothers. His neighbor in the cell over is none other than Hodge who says Jace was right to take his hand.

Clary comes upon Alec who is sitting in the hallway looking confused with a bloody hand. She runs past him into her room only to find her mother dead on the floor. That's right you guys, Jocelyn Fray/Fairchild is dead. Clary falls to the ground in grief and Alec peaks in to see what he's done. He can't believe it. Clary leaves and he cleans himself up until he comes across Isabelle who is now possessed. She comes after him and he tries to fight her off without hurting her. Clary stabs her in the shoulder to get the demon out of her and when it is released Clary kills it. Alec takes Izzy to the infirmary and Simon shows up. He is confused about what is going on.

Valentine attacks the City of Bones and kills some of the Silent Brothers will getting the Soul Sword. Hodge helps Jace get out of his cell and is killed for it by a Circle member. Jace fights them as they make their way to the portal where Valentin stands with the sword. He tells Jace to come with him and for the members to kill Aldertree. Aldertree yells at Jace to get the sword, but Jace can't let him die. He fights off the Circle members and saves Aldertree, but loses the sword. Aldertree brings him back to the Institute where he walks in on the aftermath of the demon attack, which they realize was sent by Valentine, so they would be distracted and he could get the Soul Sword. Jace sees Simon comforting Clary and you can tell it pains him that he can't comfort her right now. He leaves to check on Izzy while Alec is overcome by guilt.

Magnus summons Camille and traps her in a cage. She's not worried and reminds Magnus that he knows she will always be there for him and that's why he would never actually turn her into the Clave- especially not for 1 or 2 vampires. Magnus tells her that this is hurting him and he appreciates who she was, but that's not who she is anymore and she has gone too far. He must protect his family and with that he portals her off to the Clave.


//Original air date: January 23, 2017

Shadowhunters - Recap "A Parabati Lost" (S02E03)

Alec is not doing well. The tracking spell has not worked in Alec is trapped in some sort of coma. Magnus is working to keep him alive, but he is unable to bring him back. He and Izzy are very tense. Everyone is looking for Clary and Jace in an effort to bring Jace close to Alec and wake him up, but of course all of this must be done without the Clave noticing.

Jace wakes up on a beach with a dead body which he recognizes as Gretel, the werewolf he refused to kill. A mundane jogging on the beach runs into Jace, who can't find his steele, and is understandably horrified when she sees Gretel's dead body. She calls the police and Jace runs. Luke is the officer who arrives on the scene and is upset to see Gretel's body. Alaric wants revenge on Jace and Luke wants to find out what really happened, but he guarantees that if Jace is responsible then he will be killed. Jace continues to run, stopping at a bar, and asking the bartender if he can use their phone. The woman calls him out on being a Shadowhunter, and eventually agrees to let him use it.

Clary returns to the Institute after an unsuccessful search for Jace. She is interrogated by Aldertree, but she insists she remembers nothing after Dot opened the portal. Izzy runs into Clary and lets her know what is going on with Alec. She gets a phone call from Jace which Clary listens in on and Izzy lets him know how dire Alec's situation is. They form a plan to get Alec and Jace together at Magnus' without Aldertree knowing.

Jace attempts to leave the bar and Maia stops him, asking him to help them find Gretel. Jace is in a hurry and refuses so Maia calls for backup from another wolf in the bar. This wolf recognizes him as one of the ones who kidnapped Gretel and a fight ensues. Jace is thrown out the window and tries to run. He doesn't get far before collapsing in front of many concerned mundanes who end up calling an ambulance for him. Maia angrily watches the ambulance take him away. Luke informs Maia and the rest of the pack that they are not to kill Jace until they know for sure that he killed Gretel. Maia is not happy with this order at all, she wants justice for her friend's death.

Meanwhile, Simon has been avoiding his mom for a while now and the guilt is really getting to him. Raphael insists that this is only getting in the way of his search for Camille and tells him that it's best to let go of his family and realize that they're going to die and he'll continue to live forever, never changing. Simon ignores Raphael and returns to his mom's house, and is alarmed when he can't find her. He finds alcohol in her room and fears she has fallen off the wagon. He calls Clary asking her to help him find his mom. Izzy gives Clary her blessing to go and says she'll let her know what happens with Alec and Jace.

Aldertree refuses Izzy's request to move Alec out of the Institute for treatment and even leaves Raj to watch them. Aldertree is desperate to lure Jace out of hiding even if it costs Alec his life. Raj tries to force Magnus to leave, so Magnus uses his magic to knock him out. He then uses Raj as a body double for Alec and portals the real Alec to his apartment.

Jace wakes up in the hospital and tries to escape, but he runs into Maia who phases in the middle of the hospital. She chases him until Jace is pulled through a door which is marked shut by none other than Jocelyn. She guides him to the roof and offers to help him and wants to apologize, but he refuses to listen and runs off on his own towards Magnus'.

Aldertree checks on Alec and notices something is up with Izzy. He discovers the shape-shifting rune and the two end up striking a deal. He tells her that Luke's pack believes Jace killed one of their own and they're hunting him. She knows he would be safe under the protection of the Clave. She asks Aldertree for a portal to Jace so he can save Alec and promises to turn Jace in afterward. Aldertree agrees and sends her on her way.

Clary uses a tracking rune to find Mrs. Lewis. They find her at a restaurant and Clary encourages Simon to come clean with his mom and tell her that he is a vampire. She thinks his mom will still love him if she knows the truth. Clary leaves to go see Luke and Simon goes into the restaurant only to find his mom having dinner with Raphael. He has told Elaine (Mrs. Lewis) that he's Simon's band manager and that the band is doing really well and touring which is why Simon hasn't been around. When Elaine steps away Raphael threatens her life if Simon fails to find Camille.

Clary and Luke are informed by Alaric that Maia is tracking Jace and ready to kill. They rush to get there before it's too late. Jace is cornered by Maia and another wolf and he pleads with them to allow him to get to Alec. He swears he didn't kill Gretel and he apologizes for what happened to her. He begs them to allow him to save his brother. Luke demands they stand down and Clary affirms Jace's story, but the pack is ready to attack. Izzy arrives just in time and uses her whip to stop the attack. Luke goes into Alpha mode, forcing the others to submit to him. Clary, Izzy, and Jace run off to Magnus' where they find Alec who is in very bad shape.

Jace goes to his brother and begs him not to leave him. He begins reciting their Parabati oath until Alec goes limp and drops the stone. Jace holds him tightly as he succumbs to his emotions until Alec quietly recites the last line of the oath. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. The happy moment is short lived though when Aldertree and his officers come in and arrest Jace.

//Original air date: January 16, 2017

Shadowhunters - Recap "A Door Into the Dark" (S02E02)

Jocelyn obviously doesn't succeed in her attempt to kill Jace/Jonathan and she's not happy. Clary is of course extremely upset and confused. Jocelyn insists that she just doesn't understand. She tells Clary that Valentine experimented on her when she was pregnant with Jonathan and injected him with demon blood. She shares a memory from when he was a baby and she was picking flowers with him. She handed her son a flower and his eyes went black and the flower withered. It was creepy to watch and it clearly scared Jocelyn.

Simon is summoned to see Aldertree who wants information. Simon jokingly says that the information he wants is above his paygrade and that will not bode well for him. After he leaves the Institute, he goes back to the Jade Wolf where the pack greets him. They make it clear that they dislike him and want him gone. Poor Simon. He is greeted in his shipping container by Raphael. He is furious with Simon for saying anything to Aldertree. He demands that Simon use his sire bond to find Camille and bring her back otherwise, Raphael will have to pay for her crimes. Apparently the Clave burns off a vampire's body parts one by one as punishment. This is not good.

Aldertree and Lydia summon a meeting in the Institute and everyone but Clary is invited. Lydia is discussing the strange disappearences of various boxers, karate instructors,..etc. around the city and how the Clave believes Valentine is responsible. It is believed that he has figured out that these people have a better chance of making the change to a Shadowhunter when they are in this peak physical condition. She stumbles upon it at the end of the meeting and Alec makes it clear that she isn't wanted around there. He also tells her that everything that has happened has been her fault. She asks Lydia about why she wasn't included and before Lydia can talk to her Aldertree intervenes and reams Lydia. Jocelyn tries to make it clear that she had nothing to do with Clary not being included.

Alec and Izzy are sent on a mission to a secret fight club to set up a trap for any of Valentine's Circle members who might appear to kidnap a well trained fighter. Izzy gets into it with a big creepy guy who is too big for his britches and naturally she kicks his a$$. When a Circle member does appear, he tries to take this guy, but it's just Izzy using a disguise rune. Alec angrily questions the Circle member who slits his own throat instead of answering the questions. Alec is extremely frustrated about getting no closer to Jace.

Simon finds Magnus and asks for his help. He needs to find Camille and he doesn't know how. Magnus says he will help but only for a price- a lock of Simon's hair. Magnus takes Simon to Camille's home in Agra. He tells Simon to find Camille while he finds his things that Camille never returned to him. Simon wonders around until he gets locked in a room with a serpent statue. He rubs the statute and it opens. Before Simon can take the box, a snake comes slithering on the floor. Simon is terrified and he cowers. The snake hisses fire at him before Simon figures out how to control it and make it go away. Magnus comes in and says he gave the snake to Camille as a pet and whatever is in the box must be important if it's being guarded. He also hides away a dagger he took before they return to New York.

Clary runs away from the Institute and there is a stunning shot of her walking down a New York street going the opposite direction of the dark mundane crowd as her vibrant red hair lights up the screen. It was a beatiful visul. Clary goes to the Art School and works on her sketches, trying to pretend like she is normal again. Jocelyn is worried and finds Luke. She asks him to talk to Clary for her because she'll actually listen to him. They find Clary and try to talk about what has been going on and she won't listen. She runs outside and is kidnapped in the street by...wait for it...DOT! That's right, our sweet warlock Dot is back and bad now? She pulls Clary through a portal right before Jocelyn and Luke's eyes. Uh oh.

Jace meets some of Valentine's new recruits and wonders why they're there. One talks about how horrible Downworlders are and how they need to be destroyed. He tells Jace that his father was murdered by a werewolf and he wants revenge. Valentine suggests Jace lead the hunt for this wolf as his expertise would be invaluable to his new help. Jace refuses to be apart of it because that is not his job. He reminds Valentine that his job is to bring them to the Clave and protect the mundanes from demons; the Clave is supposed to handle these matters and even though the Law is hard it is the Law.

Jocelyn returns to the Institute and seeks out Alec & Isabelle. Luke has given her a stone that can connect Parabati even when they're around water, but it is extremely dangerous to use. Izzy refuses to let Alec do it, but eventually he wins out. He wants Jace and Jocelyn knows if they find Jace they will find Clary. They're both clearly desperate.

Clary is brought to Valentine's ship of horrors and cannot believe what she is seeing. All of these messed up Downworlders in cages and very angry. She doesn't understand. Dot tells her that she wants to show her the future and she grabs Clary's head. Clary sees a terrifying vision of fire and destruction.

Clary joins Jace on the deck of the boat and Jace is freaked out. Clary proves that it is actually her and not Valentine in disguise and she tells Jace that he has to go lead this hunt. She tells him about her vision and how she was wrong. Jace isn't sure he is hearing her right. Valentine appears and welcomes his daughter, inviting her to lead the hunt since Jace won't. Jace changes his mind and says he will go. When Clary wakes up she is in a cage in the same room with the Downworlders. She is scared and confused and Dot appears. Dot admits to controlling her because Valentine ordered her too. Clary doesn't understand why Dot is working for him and Dot explains that he experimented on her and she has to do as she's told- she can't go against him or he'll torture her. She wonders why Clary stopped looking for her and Clary tearfully tells her they thought she was dead. She tells Dot that she was like an older sister to her and they can escape together and Magnus can protect her.

Simon tries getting into the box and so does Magnus but neither are successful. Magnus sets out the mysterious dagger and assures Simon that they will find a way. He then tells Simon that when he first discovered his powers, he had no one there to help him and he promised himself that if he ever met someone in that situation that he would help them as best he could. It's an interesting duo and very cool to see Magnus essentially take Simon under his wing.

Valentine, his new buddy, and Jace are interogatting a shewolf from Luke's pack (the one who was really mean to Simon) about killing a mundane. She denies it and Valentine tells Jace to kill her. Jace can't go it. Clary appears and Valentine thinks that she is going to convince Jace to kill the wolf. Clary grabs him and tells him to run, and they do. They run straight towards a few of Valentine's messed up Shadowhunters. Valentine yells for Jace to come back, but Jace kills them. Dot appears and opens a portal which Clary and Jace jump through. It doesn't look like Dot makes it through as well. Valentine then grabs the sword and kills the shewolf himself.

Alec is in seriously bad shape as a result of this stone and it is looking like this could actually kill him. Jocelyn and Izzy just watch in terror unable to help him.

Bonus: Izzy and Clary share a sweet moment where Izzy tells her that Alec is just upset and not to worry because she will always be there for Clary. Seriously obsessed with this friendship.


//Original air date:

Shadowhunters - Recap "The Guilty Blood" (S02E01)

What. A. Premiere.

We start off on Valentine's ship of doom where we find that a lot of his test subjects did not survive the transition to becoming a shadowhunter. Jace is on the ship and Clary arrives to break him out. Valentine appears and Jace kills him. He and Clary make a run for it, stumbling upon a terrifying chamber with equipment and tons of locked up Downworlders. Valentine appears again and Jace (who is clearly confused) kills him again. Clary is then revealed to be the real Valentine in disguise and he was testing Jace. He's obviously not happy about the fact that Jace has tried to kill him. He chains Jace up and tortures him.

Clary spends some time with Jocelyn who finds out Simon is now a vampire and that her son, Jonathan, is actually alive. Clary doesn't understand why Jocelyn isn't more excited about this, and she's clearly getting upset about being lied to all of her life. Jocelyn promises no more lies. Meanwhile, at the Institute the Clave has sent someone new to take over as they no longer believe Lydia can do the job. Her replacement is Aldertree and we hate him. He declares that they will find Jace alive or dead and anyone who doesn't help will be de-runed.

Valentine tries to bond with Jace bringing up memories from the past like how much Jace loves spaghetti. Jace is rejecting Valentine's advances. Valentine tells Jace that he's different and shares with him that there is a reason why he is so different from the other Shadowhunters. He shares a vision of when Jocelyn was pregnant with Jace, and Valentine injected the fetus with pure demon blood. Jace is completely repulsed by this as he realizes why he is so fast and so powerful: he has demon blood in his veins. Valentine argued that he did this in an effort to create a perfect Shadowhunter who would have an advantage against the demons.

Aldertree makes Luke and Simon leave, saying they're not welcome at the Institute. Luke lets Simon stay at the Jade Wolf because the sun will be up soon and he doesn't have anywhere to go. When Luke leaves the other werewolves force Simon into a shipping container and lock him in there. They're clearly upset about having a vampire in their midst. Clary and Izzy train together while Aldertree watches them, knowing he needs to keep a close eye on them. It's amazing to see how far Clary has come. Alec is losing his mind over what is going on with Jace and he goes against Lydia. Maryse follows him and chastises him telling him that Jace is a cancer and needs to be cut out. He reminds her that Jace is her son and part of their family and she says he's not.Alec leaves.

Clary sneaks out of  the Institute disguised as Aldertree and goes to Luke for help. She hears Simon and goes to let him out. She opens the door and Jocelyn appears. She asks Clary for her cell phone and stele. She takes them and locks Clary and Simon in the container. She casts a tracking spell on Jace's gloves and is successful. Jace has gotten off the Valentine's boat so he can be tracked now. Simon and Clary try to escape and it's during this time that Simon nearly confesses his love for Clary. The door breaks down and they make their getaway to find Jace. They arrive in time to witness Jocelyn shoot an arrow at Jace. Valentine appears out of nowhere and takes the arrow before pulling Jace through a portal.

Poor Jace. His adoptive mom thinks of him as a horrible cancer to be killed and his biological mother tried to kill him.


//Original premiere date 1/2/17

Countdown to Christmas - Favorite Movies Hallmark Edition

It's officially time to begin counting down to Christmas, and I (like many others) always turn my TV to Hallmark for the Christmas movies. I have been doing this for the last 4 years and I'm pretty much obsessed. I can watch these movies on an endless loop no matter how many times I have seen them- most of them. Of course there have been some movies that aren't winners or that were just ok.

1. "Matchmaker Santa"

      Heroine: Lacey Chabert as Melanie

      Hallmark Hottie: Adam Mayfield as Dean

      Debut: November 17, 2012

As a little girl, Melanie Hogan wished to find her own prince charming just like her parents had. Now as an adult, Melanie is running her own bakery and dating a handsome CEO, Justin. Although things seem perfect when Justin asks Melanie to spend the holidays together at his beautiful lake house upstate-and meet his mother- Melanie finds herself spending more time with Justin's best friend and loyal assistant, Dean, who just might be harboring a secret crush on her. Complications arise that throw Melanie and Dean together over the holiday, but will they realize they're meant to be?

2. "The Mistletoe Promise"

       Heroine: Jaime King as Elise

       Hallmark Hottie: Luke Macfarlane as Nick

       Debut: November 6, 2016

We meet two unlucky people who both have negative views of Christmas: Elise Donner who is the creator, founder, and co-owner of a travel agency known as World Bright Travel Agency. Her co-owner is none other than her ex-husband, Dan, who switched up the Christmas presents one year and accidentally gave her a gift meant for his car show model mistress, Drew. Then there is Nick Derr, a divorce lawyer who has three Christmas ghosts, or three Christmases that have defined his life. He is up for partner at his law firm and needs a longtime girlfriend by the end of the week in order to prove that he is a serious family man like all the other partners before him. The two meet at a food court over their mutual hate for those treacherous Christmas carolers and create a mistletoe promise guaranteed to make him partner at his firm and give her an opportunity to get rid of the burden of her ex and his girlfriend. The promise is intended to be solely business but the spirit of the holidays and the amount of time spent pretending to be in love might just be enough to actually feel something for each other.

3. "A Royal Christmas"

       Heroine: Lacey Chabert as Emily Taylor

       Hallmark Hottie: Stephen Hagan as Leo/Prince Leopold

       Debut: November 21, 2014

Prince Leopold, heir to the throne of Cordinia, wishes to marry his young love Emily Taylor, a humble seamstress from Philadelphia. But Leopold's mother, Queen Isadora has other plans for her son. Will their love conquer all?

4. "The Nine Lives of Christmas"

       Heroine: Kimberly Sustad as Marilee White

       Hallmark Hottie: Brandon Routh as Zachary Stone

       Debut: November 8, 2014

After a stray cat adopts firefighter Zachary, he meets Marliee and realizes the single life is not as fulfilling as he thought it was.

5. "A Very Merry Mix Up"

       Heroine: Alicia Witt as Alice Chapman

       Hallmark Hottie: Mark Wiebe as Matt Mitchum

       Debut: November 10, 2013

Alice Chapman is a beautiful woman who recently became engaged to go-getter businessman Will Mitchum. When she travels to meet her future in-laws for the first time before Christmas, chaos ensues as she loses contact with Will and runs into who she believes to be Will's brother,then starts the holiday celebrations with the wrong family. Is this just a silly mix up, or is it fate for Alice?

6. "A Christmas Detour"

       Heroine: Candace Cameron Bure as Paige

       Hallmark Hottie: Paul Greene as Dylan

       Debut: November 28, 2015

Two New York City-bound travelers find themselves inextricably linked when a snowstorm reroutes them to an airport hotel in Buffalo. The pair are joined on this misadventure by an older couple named Frank and Maxine trying to get to Connecticut. As their madcap journey ensues, our foursome will find plenty of surprises in store.

7. "A Wish For Christmas"

      Heroine: Lacey Chabert as Sara

      Hallmark Hottie: Paul Greene as Peter Williams

      Debut: October 29, 2016

Sara Thomas is the type of woman who prefers to sit on the sidelines at work, but when her big idea for a Christmas initiative is stolen, she makes a wish to Santa that she'll finally have the courage to stand up for herself. Santa grants her wish, but only gives her 48 hours. As the clock ticks, Sara will discover how to channel the Christmas magic and speak her mind all on her own.

8. "Let It Snow"

       Heroine: Candace Cameron Bure as Stephanie Beck

       Hallmark Hottie: Jesse Hutch as Brady Lewis

       Debut: November 30, 2013

A self-defined Grinch, Stephanie, begins her stay at Snow Valley Lodge immune to Christmas sentiment. But as the lodge's festive traditions provide the Christmas Stephanie never had growing up with her distant father she finds herself enjoying every minute. To complicate her professional duties even further, the combative feelings she felt toward Brady turn into romantic ones. With Stephanie's newfound Christmas spirit and unexpected holiday romance, she begins to question Falcon's overhaul. As her Christmas Eve deadline approaches, she's faced with a decision: should she transform the lodge into a new winter hot spot or embrace tradition and let it snow?

9. "Princess for Christmas"

        Heroine: Katie McGrath as Jules Daly

        Hallmark Hottie: Sam Heughan as Ashton

        Debut: December 3, 2011

Christmas is right around the corner and Jules Daly is doing her best to create a loving home as new guardian to her mischievous niece and nephew. But when she loses her job and an exasperated nanny on the same day, a mysterious and unexpected invitation arrives - travel to Europe and spend a royal Christmas with the children's distant grandfather - the Duke of Castlebury Hall! It's a new world for Jules and the children as they discover their new prim and proper surroundings in the castle, but soon laughter begins to echo in the once quiet halls, filling everyone with renewed hope and joy for the season. And when Jules captures the heart of the dashing Prince Ashton, both of their lives begin to change in unexpected ways!

10. "A December Bride"

         Heroine: Jessica Lowndes as Layla O'Reilly

         Hallmark Hottie: Daniel Lissing as Seth Murphy

         Debut: November 20, 2016

A holiday wedding brings no joy to the bride's cousin, who was left by the groom for her cousin. In order to go to the wedding she enlists a former friend who introduced her ex-fiance and her cousin and he becomes her fake fiance. Will they find true love in the midst of this lie?

Honorable Mentions:

"A Perfect Christmas"

        Heroine: Susie Abromeit as Cynthia Faber

        Hallmark Hottie: Dillon Casey as Steve Faber

        Debut: July 16, 2016

A Perfect Christmas follows a newlywed couple celebrating their first Christmas together.

"Help for the Holiday"

        Heroine: Summer Glau as Christine

        Hallmark Hottie: John Brotherton as Dave Gabriel

        Debut: December 9, 2012

Sara Vancamp is a busy mom with no Christmas spirit. Christine is an elf from Santa's village who wonders if there could be more to life than making toys in the North Pole is sent by Santa to the real world to help the VanCamp family re-discover their Christmas spirit.

Countdown to Christmas - Favorite Movies

1. "Elf"

      I'm obsessed with this film and I have been since the first time I saw it in the 8th grade. It's absolutely hilarious and it's also heartwarming.

2. "Frosty the Snowman"

       How can anyone not love Frosty?! This movie never fails to make me smile and warm my heart. It's all about sacrificing for the ones you love.

3. "Rudolph"

     I love Rudolph. He's so precious and he's such an under dog! It's impossible not to cheer for him and his buddies. Although, I'm not a big fan of Santa's attitude in this film though.

4. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
      It's so interesting learning about Santa's backstory and where he came from. I feel like this movie reminds us to help one another and to be kind to each other.

5. "The Grinch" (cartoon version)

       Poor Jim Carrey, you just can't top this cartoon classic. The Grinch is such a precious tale of what can happen when you let love into your heart. Christmas is a season of unconditional love, sacrifice, and giving.

6. "The Santa Clause"
   
      I love all 3 of these movies. They truly are classics. I love the family dynamics and the magic in them. Remember, "seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing."

7. "Christmas with the Kranks"
   
     This movie is hilarious. It's such a fun change of pace. I mean who decides to skip Christmas?!

8. "The Nativity Story"

    You can't talk about Christmas without talking about the Christ child. This film beautifully displays the Nativity Story and everything Mary and Joseph went through. Jesus was born on that beautiful night making his birthday a time of love, sacrifice, and generosity.

9. "A Christmas Story"

    This is a classic. I have watched this every year my entire life. I love little Ralphie and his crazy family.

10. "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

       This movie is ridiculous and hilarious. It's impossible not to laugh.


Merry Christmas everyone! Happy holidays to you and yours!